Our experience was similar to Gail W's. I think she really felt "normal" being able to participate. Just want to be clear, they didn't make the whole school peanut free, just FCS. Really, they hadn't been making many nut-containing foods in recent years, so it wasn't that much of a change. They just made sure that currently and going forward, there were no nuts or may contains. They pretty much did it knowing the increasing prevalance of allergies, even though dd was "the first." Lam, you seem very prepared, I'm sure that will help a lot in making your decision.

We are facing this dilemma right now. I was all for DS opting out and when I spoke wo the principal he said it would not be a problem. But DH brought up a good point, that DS more than all his friends will need to be able to prepare his own food. We will be meeting with the principal and the "home ec" teacher in a couple of months and see what we can come up with.
Quote:Originally posted by CarolynM:
[b]Our experience was similar to Gail W's. I think she really felt "normal" being able to participate. Just want to be clear, they didn't make the whole school peanut free, just FCS. Really, they hadn't been making many nut-containing foods in recent years, so it wasn't that much of a change. They just made sure that currently and going forward, there were no nuts or may contains. They pretty much did it knowing the increasing prevalance of allergies, even though dd was "the first." Lam, you seem very prepared, I'm sure that will help a lot in making your decision. [/b]
This is what we are hoping for, that they will make the program safe and accessible, for DS and the PA students that will surely follow him.

Quote:[b]But DH brought up a good point, that DS more than all his friends will need to be able to prepare his own food.[/b]
(just addressing the idea in general, no one in particular)
My children have been "hands on" in the kitchen since they could stand. My boys know how to [i]cook[/i]. Maybe it's a Greek Momma thingp---but nope. My hubby is Lithuanian and German. [b]He's[/b] taught them to make bread, pizza dough, marinades, German pancakes. They shred, dice, braise, and marinade. They make *me* torpedo bread for breakfast. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/cool.gif[/img]
They also shop at least twice a week in the grocery with me. They know how to pick out [i]good food[/i]. I've ingrained that in them. They know what real value is. Real value, not just a sale. I ask them to pick ground beef, they go for the 5%. No tube beef here. They can pick out fresh veggies, know the difference between organic and non. They look for the "price per ____" on the shelf stickers. Even if they *are* picky eaters. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img]
What's this bit about Home Ec being such a big deal? Wait for middle school or later, to acquire food preparation and hunter gathering skills? C'mon!
Frankly, if the home ec classroom is anything like the way my school district manages money, nutrtion, or food preparation, [i]no thanks[/i]. I'll tell them to opt for shop, or whatever else is available. Learning another way to plate nachos and two minute hors d'oeuvres won't wow them. They'll be bored out of their skulls. Besides, they are probably too "hands on" for classroom cooking.
More like Emeril Lagassee "BAM!" They actually seek out the Rachel Ray show, Giada, or food network. They love "Iron Chef", but in particular [i]Two Fat Ladies[/i]. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
On the other hand, maybe if there is a week long presentation on tripod campfire cooking..."Mastering the Dutch Oven, beyond Monkey Bread", or "Shorelunches: It's not your Momma's Fishsticks---Parchment wrapped largemouth" or "Do you rind?....Homemade cornbread in orange peel"...
The only reason I could see my boys taking "Home Ec" would be for girl watching.

I [i]soooooo[/i] agree with you, MB. I view cooking skills as being very akin to tying your own shoes... knowing how to sort laundry. That kind of thing.
DD isn't yet 8, but she knows how to make split pea soup, foccacia, risotto, chicken in italian tomatoes, Spanish rice, toast, and a few other things. She also knows enough about making bread that she was able to teach her Dad how recently. She knows what yeast needs and why. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Atta girl!
OTOH, I could see her being crushed at 'having to' opt out. More for social reasons, though.

Quote:Originally posted by MommaBear:
[b]My children have been "hands on" in the kitchen since they could stand. My boys know how to [i]cook[/i]. [/b]
Couldn't the same be said for just about [i]everything[/i] taught in school? Any subject? Most of what my children [i]learn[/i] is from home. . . including the 'core' classes.

Quote:Originally posted by Gail W:
[b] Couldn't the same be said for just about [i]everything[/i] taught in school? Any subject? Most of what my children [i]learn[/i] is from home. . . including the 'core' classes.
[/b]
bite your tongue. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img] I'm assuming most parents *must* walk around with a a TI-35 strapped to their foreheads. Or pom-poms.
My children's self esteem and happiness doesn't hinge on whether they take "home ec" or FACS, for that matter.
I know this, believe you me, I make sure to rule it out. I dig. Ask questions. Go Socrates on them. Wouldn't want to raise a bunch of carbon copies of myself *or* my husband [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img] I appreciate the [i]unique[/i].
But, now that I think of it, your right, [i]most of what my children [b]learn[/b] is from home, including not feeling they have to "fit" every nook and crannie. It's not something they would be crushed over, know what I mean? It's not a vibe they would pick up at home.

Quote:Originally posted by Corvallis Mom:
[b]
OTOH, I could see her being crushed at 'having to' opt out. More for social reasons, though. [/b]
Did I ever tell you how much my oldest son enjoyed "drama club"? He didn't think he would, I was hoping he would discover a talent I knew he had, and *whoops*, neither of us ever guessed the ratio was 2 boys t 20 girls. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img]
Not only did he get *all* the male roles, but oo-la-la, the co-stars. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/cool.gif[/img] It was all rather innocent, and if he didn't enjoy drama club, he never told me. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
He wanted to join drama club again this year, actually begged me, but band was taxing enough, I promised him....next year. Band is going fantastically, so I think he's earned it. Did I mention he got a "first place" in the Duet Competition??

Quote:Originally posted by MommaBear:
[b]My children's self esteem and happiness doesn't hinge on whether they take "home ec" or FACS, for that matter.
But, now that I think of it, your right, most of what my children learn is from home, including not feeling they have to "fit" every nook and crannie. It's not something they would be crushed over, know what I mean? It's not a vibe they would pick up at home.[/b]
Yes, I KWYM.
Her self-esteem doesn't 'hinge' on it. And she certainly doesn't feel the 'need ' to fit into everything. LOL.

Quote:Originally posted by Corvallis Mom:
[b]chicken in italian tomatoes, Spanish rice, [/b]
Tomorrow they are helping me cook: Chicken, rice, and corn relish. With fresh bruschetta.
I should have them grind the coffee beans too. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/cool.gif[/img]
(just kidding, since I'd end up with every bean in the house pulverized---it's too much fun)