[b]with allocated time,[/b]
Could this be part of the legal basis? Specific time allocated at school for food ingestion? Like lunch? But then here's the problem,-- the law allows for safe [i]substitution[/i] at lunchtime (via USDA Accomdating Children with Special ...)? They speak of discrimination occurring only when a substitution is not offered. The whole school is not required to be offered the same lunch. This might viewed as being legally acceptable for the classroom as well.
But I know what you're saying...a teacher wouldn't tolerate a non-food allergic child's parent uttering these words to your child 'You cannot eat this, you just sit there and wait until the other kids are finished.' So when we're the ones sending in safe snacks, have we become that parent?? Maybe so.

Quote:Originally posted by gvmom:
[b]I keep thinking about this for those of you who think I

Quote:Originally posted by gvmom:
[b]There are lessons that I know I couldn't teach them.... but I wish they could have been older for some of the things they are learning. It saddens me to know some of the stuff they are learning about human nature. [i]Your mother better love you...[/i] right?![/b]
High five, but with extreme sobriety.
Quote:[b]Well, I still keep toying with my t-shirt idea. Lots of activist slogans I keep thinking of that I'd love to wear through the halls. And I do think they'd be very consistent with my actions. I'm sure some of them already feel my "I Hate You" shirt, even though I haven't made it....YET!
[/b]
Then I'm sure you can appreciate my idea: "I'm breeding your kind out of the gene pool." (in neon green alien puffy paint on a black maternity shirt.
I should make it in time to register my children at the district office for school this week. I'm just starting to show. Won't they be surprised?
I've avoided registration. Just haven't been able to bring myself to do it.

I really appreciate all of the thoughts and views in this thread. It really has helped me to think about this school year.
As I was thinking about all of the views in this thread I was answering to the computer--for both sides of this point of view.
I would love to have a food free classroom. There is no need to spend so much time on food. And I generally feel that way most of the day--outside of school. Why does everything revolve around food. I don't know if I feel that way because of my children or if I would feel that way without their allergies--I wouldn't be able to seperate the reasoning.
I also appreciate the lessons that my children have/will learn from this situation.
Our number one rule--no food ever from anyone but Mom and Dad (and after a few years--Grandma and Grandpa). What a great way to enforce this, they have to have their food from the snack box, backpack or lunchbox. You (talking to my children) are in charge of saying no thank you I have food allergies I will have food at a different time, or from a safe source.
Another lesson my children learn--Life is not fair, you are different from other people. Every person has something different or special about themselves. Yours (again talking to my children) just happens to be with food. This is not going to change, you will need to accept this fact and move on to the next thing. (I'll cry in my room at night for you--you don't need to see how much I wish you didn't have to deal with this)
My children also learn that they must find their voice and they must become independent. And I prefer for them to learn this--now--when they are younger--in a little bit of a protected environment. The reality is that we have been very lucky in the adults that have encountered my children. Do they all get it--no--but they all understand the importance of letting me make those decisions for my children.
On the other hand my 2 children are very different peronality wise from each other. My older child handles not being included with food, waiting for a "treat" at a different time, and he is ok with being different. He still sucks his thumb (in 2nd grade) it drives us insane--and whenever we ask if kids make fun of him he states--If they make fun of me--they aren't my friends, just like, if they make fun of me for not eating peanuts, I don't need to be frineds with them. I can't ever argue against that--and what a valuable lesson he has learned.
That said my younger son has a much harder time with this concept and it does hurt him in very obvious emtional ways. And of course that tears my heart out and I want to do nothing but make it all fair (I want to for my older son-but I am grateful that his soul is different--or maybe it has become different). But, I can't and he has a long life ahead of him to learn how to deal with the fact that he is different. And I want him to deal with that before he realizes that our family is different in other ways--we have different finances than others, we have different views on accaptable movies, or tv shows. We are not all talented in the same way..ect..
I don't know what the answer is--or what the right answer should be. And I really really really would love it if our culture was not about food, but, I can't change everything. I need to provide my children the tools to survive life and to work with the culture we live in. I know it is the same argument that people use for not banning peanuts (which I am for most days). And my kids do sit at a peanut free table--that I asked for, they do not have a 504--one goes to a large private school, one goes to a small private school. And thankfully most days I worry more about if my son will pass the timed math test than what snack was served at school. But my heart still skips a beat during lunch time,snack time, and whenever the school number comes up on caller id.
No answers--just thoughts.
------------------
Michelle mom to:
DS #1- 7 - peanut, tree nut, asthma,environmental allergies
DS-#2- 4- Milk, Peas, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Asthma, environmental allergies

gvmom: Forgive me, I am coming to this thread a little late and have not read the entire thread in detail, but wanted to offer another avenue.
Perhaps you could ask you school board to institute a wellness policy that requires non-food birthday celebrations. Our school's policy is written:
"Our district has developed a wellness policy which purpose is 'to assure a school environment that promotes and protects student's health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.' At the elementary level this means:
*vending machines are not available during school hours.
*Teachers/staff will not use food as rewards.
*physical activity is important. We will not regularly consequence children by withholding recess time.
*Food items will not be permitted for birthday celebrations.
*snacks brought into the classromm should be age appropriate and healthy choices."
My son's classroom goes further to help with his FA and peanuts or made in facility products are not allowed in the classroom.
I find the wellness policy goes along very well with food allergies. It limits the teacher's discretion to allow cupcakes, candy, etc...
We still had some issue come up last year. Twinkies were brought into the classroom once for a birthday. The teacher called me and asked me if they were safe for ds. I said "yes, but isn't it against the wellness policy anyway?" She said "oh yeah" and sent them back home with a note.
I think as my son gets older the policy changes a bit at the middle school level, but I have decided to deal with middle school in 5 years and not worry right now.

Ask yourself about the peanut free table, if in fact you do not like the idea of a peanut free table because it is not 'least restrictive', why is it restrictive? Because it is excludes the peanut allergic child, right? Does OCR specifically talk about the exclusive nature of peanut free tables, or was there a law suit about it? If so, they might already be legislating 'anti-exclusive' concepts.

[b]Point is, if the school spends enough time to find a safe substitution at other times, why not just dispense the safe substitution for all?[/b]
Then I would wonder how they would accomodate MFA's at the school. That can get really tricky.
edited to add bold
[This message has been edited by lilpig99 (edited August 12, 2007).]