MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER'S VIEW
...For food allergies,” Ms. Racine advises, “it is important to have excellent, up front, proactive communication about the child’s food allergy. Parents should make appointments to talk to the teachers and nurses before the school year starts. Communication with the other parents can be helpful as well. For instance, one parent sent a flier home to all of the other parents in the class to explain her child’s food allergy and to request that they not give certain foods to his or her children when coming to school. All communication is good. Sometimes people worry a little bit about confidentiality, but in this situation the more important thing is communications and sharing information. The more people know the better they will understand and be able to handle the situation. The biggest problem is ignorance. Without firsthand experience, it can be difficult for a parent to understand and accept fully what he is being told with respect to another child’s food allergy.”
...If the parents feel that the school is not providing a safe environment for their child then a 504 Plan can be prepared by the parent and submitted to the school. Ms. Racine believes, “Setting up 504 Plan is a really smart thing to do. It will protect a child’s right to an education.”
...Literature could be improved so that teachers have materials to use to teach the students and parents. The literature should include a story that can effectively show the students how it can feel to suffer a food allergy.” For instance, Ms. Racine explained how her own son recently was taught how it felt to suffer an asthma attack. Each student was given a straw to breathe through. He soon felt the labored and shortness of breath caused by not getting enough air. It was very effective to demonstrate the feeling to him and others. Furthermore, having a full-time nurse, instead of a part-time nurse is important because anaphylactic shock can occur any time during the day..."
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