I'll try to give only relevant background here...My ds is in preschool, age 4, at a wonderful school. They have completely accommodated his milk, egg, and peanut allergies to my satisfaction.
As part of the 4 yr. program, the head teacher likes to bring them across the parking lot to the grammar school to participate in some school wide functions in order to break them into the idea of Kindergarten and beyond.
DS has gone to a few programs, only 1 involved food, and it was wrapped candy. I went with him. This next event boggles my mind. To celebrate Catholic Schools Week, the school is having an ice cream social for all school children. They are serving vanilla ice cream only, and will make sure all toppings are nut free.
However, my ds is also allergic to dairy. If, big IF I decide to go with him, I'd bring his own treat. The only reason I'm even pondering going is to have this be an exercise in preparation for Kindergarten, to help him build his confidence, teach him how to avoid dangers, and ask for help if he needs it.
To my knowledge, he's not contact allergic to milk, but I know it could quickly become ingestion if he touches residue and then puts his hands in his mouth...
My long winded background leads me to my question, just how common do you all find events like ice cream socials during school hours?
We currently don't have a 504, I am planning to pursue one when he goes to public school Kindergarten next year. But I know even with a 504, there are no guarantees. He's been pretty sheltered to this point food wise, and I don't want next year to be a total shock to him. So that's why I'm considering going with him and figuring out precautions that I think are necessary. Thoughts? Thanks Meg
I don't really have any useful advice, I just wanted to say....
[i]Aaaaaaaauuuuughhhhhhh!!!![/i] (Probably in unison with you, huh?)
One thought, I guess, is that [i]if[/i] you decide to go at all (I would not even consider it without a parent present if this allergy is potentially anaphylactic, given your son's age and the nature of the event....)
Anyway-- IF you decide to attend, you might be able to sort out mentally things that will need addressing in your 504 plan. Making a mental list. Get a feel for the 'lay of the land' as it were.
[i] In between wiping your son's hands and telling him "No, honey, don't touch. Don't touch.... no, here-- keep your hands in your pockets, sweetie."[/i]
Ice cream social. Ugh.
[img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
I'd attend with him as a "practice" for parties next year and to start to assess your comfort level and what you need to ask for in your 504. BTW, you may want to contact the school district NOW about the 504 to have it done before he gets to school.
Thanks for yelling with me Corvallis mom [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img] Yes, I'm having a VERY hard time figuring out what ice cream has to do with Catholic Schools week!!
Oh, and just to clarify, my big IF was an if my ds would attend. I'm definitely going with him, would never let him go alone...Thanks for your thoughts. Meg
Don't forget that vanilla ice cream may contain egg as well. I don't know if your son has a contact allergy to egg.
Personally, I would not go. It sounds like a huge, messy event. Most school parties are classroom affairs and much more easily managed.
I think the risks would outweigh the benefits of going.
Cathy
EDIT
[This message has been edited by NicoleinNH (edited June 09, 2007).]
AHH good ol' Catholic School Week!!! Our school has "Moms and Muffins" and "Dad's and Donuts" at this annual "hope you can recover from a 30% tuition increase" event. Oh Yes!! We will try to sweetin' you up with numerous food events this week!
I hate this week and always have. They administrators get the kids way too excited about this week IMO. Hopefully my kid will get into the magnet school next year and we won't have to deal with this anymore. Say prayers please.
pp
Popping back in, realizing I didn't respond to everyone yet. Thanks for the additional thoughts...I keep going back...and....forth. Can't decide if it's because we haven't had too many of these issues yet, or it's my pregnancy hormones at work, or both.
I feel I do need to assess my comfort level and his. Events like these make me ponder home schooling again...At every lunch, he will be around kids with milk products -- milk, drinkable yogurt, cheese etc., and I need him to know how to handle the situation. That's why I'm even pondering this absurd gathering.
The teacher told them about the ice cream event today...and at first ds was all ready to go, asked if I'd bring his ice cream. I told him we could talk about it, and that we'd bring a towel for him to sit on, and I'd bring his medicine in case he needed it, and that it was very important he not touch anything other than his towel, etc., etc.
I tried to keep it simple, yet feel him out. Well....he then said he didn't want to go, and proceeded to turn into a monster for the next hour [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]
So...I'm thinking unless he changes his mind, we're skipping it and we'll do something else fun.
Events like this really start to stress me out for Kindergarten. Did I mention stress me out?! Ok, just wanna make sure I made my point [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]
PP: Your post cracked me up [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] Gotta love Catholic school week [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/rolleyes.gif[/img]
And Nicole, you're right, they'll be attending a different public school next year. However, I'm anticipating events of similar dumbness (I'm too tired to care if that's a word right now!) Meg
Hi Meg,
Just for the record, public schools have ice cream socials too. Our school does this every spring as an after FCAT(tests) kinda of celebration. My children don't have MA, but they do have PA/TNA. So, there is NO ice cream they can have. I make them our homemade ice cream and take it up to school during the time of this social. 750+ kids all get ice cream, get idea, but stresses me out. They only serve vanilla, basically because of my kids and a couple other kids that are PA there. I just wanted you to know that these do happen at regular school too.
I homeschooled my first, now in 5th grade, child until 2nd grade. I found out that I friend of mine was transferring schools, she is a teacher, and she was going to be in our district, and she was switching to 2nd grade. It worked out so perfectly. I mean, up until 2 weeks before school started I was going to homeschool. Anyway, I put him in the class, and made the action plan and all the rules and she followed everything perfectly-no problems. That year my 2nd child was to start Kindergarten. The teacher we selected for her was fab., she was so diligent. We had and still have a great experience, minimal problems with parents, some are trying, but I haven't had to have a knock down drag out with anyone ----YET! Anyway, my advice is to just make sure you start talking with the school they will attend right now. I would call and talk with the principle before the end of this year--feel the principle out, believe me, you will feel the vibe from them. Then decide whether or not to move forward with public school, and your 504. Just some advice--sorry so long. I also would find out about his levels to milk, just for my own sanity.
Take Care, and I wouldn't have gone to the social either. You guys go do something else fun. If I had a penny for every time I have had to do this......
------------------
Stacie - Mother to:
11 yr. PA
8 yr. TNA
3 yr. PA&TNA
You are wondering if this is something he will be seeing in school when he goes? I work in a school and our children get and ice cream party when they earn 5 stars. They do this because the class I am in needs a reward and to be honest they really need social skills and having the party teaches them how to sit and get along with others as far as manners at a table and manners with other people.
I am not saying your child doesn't have social manners but OUR class needs to find theirs. They are actually working on their party today because they haven't earned one yet this year. They just don't seem to get the whold behave and they will get one thing just yet.
Good luck because I know it is hard to have to deal with this. Also I would go to the party with him if I were you. Claire
Well, the social is Monday, and I don't think we're going. Not the end of the world by any means.
I understand there are plenty more of these lovely events in grammar school, in my town as well. Something to look forward to...NOT!
Stacie -- here's what I know about ds' milk allergy. At a milk challenge, he got hives in his throat from a very small watered down amount, so he's definitely got anaphylaxis potential there [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]
And, thanks for the advice about talking to the school, dh and I have done that already and I actually started a new post with a question on that.
Claire -- I realize that these events can be opportunities for good manners, I do, I swear. It's just that as a mom of a child with an anaphylactic milk allergy, I'd be happier with ..... cookies lets say. Much less messy.
Oh, well, what can you do? Food is everywhere in schools. sigh. Meg