ADVANCE PREPARATION

Start planning now. Be as educated about the issues your child will face and think about what your approach is going to be. When I went to register my daughter for Kindergarten (months before it started) I made a point of talking with the school nurse, who immediately went to work planning. During the teachers in-service week, we were able to bring in our hospital's EMS director who gave a very informative talk on just what anaphylaxis is, and its repercussions (alot of people have never heard of it!). He talked about what to do in the event she had a reaction. The meeting was mandatory (per the principal) Both my daughter and I attended the meeting. The teachers, aids, and other personel were encouraged to ask the EMT questions as well as myself as her parent, and they asked her a few questions as well. Since she was the only child in the room, it also afforded them an opportunity to match her face with a name...months later they still knew who she was, even without daily interaction with her.
As far as your child eating in the cafeteria, I say that's a gamble. You never know when the menu is going to change or there will be a substitution. I feel better sending my child's lunch to school with her every day, that way I know she has a safe lunch. Yes, sometimes she gets bored with it, but we try to keep her menu varied.
I know snacks at school are a hot topic, and I really wish, too that they weren't even offered, but the reality is that they are. The solution for me was to send a baggie of safe snacks for her. When the baggie ran out, the teacher sent it home to be refilled. The same was true for parties at school.
One last thing...make sure your Epi-pens are close at hand around the school. Make sure there is one in each area your child will be (i.e. - cafeteria, office, classroom, etc.) so that no one has to search for one if/when it is needed.
Good Luck!

Hi all,
I enrolled my son in Kindergarten yesterday and while I had "butterflies" in my stomach, my son was so excited. I had a rubber stamp made (I believe I have Tracy to thank for that idea) that says "ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION TO PEANUTS" and I purchased a RED stamp pad and stamped every form at the school necessary for registration. You definitely can't miss it!
The Kindergarten classes are lined up along the same wall as the Front Office/Clinic. The teachers and principal carry Walkie Talkies and if there is an emergency, anyone can respond right away. The PTA President is an EMT and I had spoken to her and the Principal a couple of weeks ago regarding my son's peanut allergy. At the registration yesterday, they have a form called "Tell us about your child so we can better meet his/her needs." This way, they know which teacher to place your child with who can better handle the needs of your child whether it be food allergies, Hyperactivity, temperment, etc. They have one peanut allergic kindergartener there now and has not had any reactions this year--thank God! I had mentioned the epipen issue with the Principal regarding them being locked up in the clinic and not having it close by in the classroom. She said we would discuss it at registration. The PTA President was there and she said once my son has been assigned a teacher, we will be notified by mail and we can then all meet with the teacher and administrative staff and discuss our course of action. I have to say they seemed very caring and responsive to my fears. Overall, they seem accomodating to us and willing to listen to our needs and will work with us.
I wish you all luck with your children. This is the most exciting time for my son. We will ALL get through this!