GREAT OAK SCHOOL
PLEASE READ: IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FOOD ALLERGY SAFETY
September 2017
Dear Great Oak Families,
The health and safety of all our students is paramount to all that we do at Great Oak. We ask your help and vigilance in providing a safe environment for our Food Allergic Students.
In order to communicate some procedures regarding Allergy safety, we are distributing this letter so that we can ensure a safe and worry-free year for these students and their parents.
It is important that the parents of all children understand that a food allergic child does not have to ingest a large amount of the foods to which he/she is allergic. Rather, he/she can be endangered if another child spills some of the food from his or her snack and this child’s snack touches the spill. Also, if any of your child’s snack is on his/her hands, it can be transferred to the child with the allergy.
For these reasons, we are requesting that you do not send in any snacks containing peanuts, peanut butter or tree nuts to be eaten in ALL classrooms. In addition, we would like you to remind your child not to share his/her snacks. The school is not responsible for monitoring food from home. We do, however, request your cooperation in helping to insure the health and safety of our students.
Danvers Public Schools Food Service does not serve any foods that contain Peanuts or Nuts. If desired, students may bring a sandwich from home to be eaten in the cafeteria ONLY.
If requested by the food-allergic child’s parent, we have a table designated as the “Allergy Aware” table. Children with allergies to nuts/nut products may be requested to eat at this table. Any children who are not eating nuts/nut products may sit at this table as well. School staff members are present to make sure seating goes smoothly.
In addition, no nut/nut products are to be sent with students on Field Trips. Also, Teachers will supervise and advise all parent contributions for planned classroom events that involve food.
We also ask if your child has eaten peanut or nut products before coming to school, please be sure your child’s hands have been thoroughly washed prior to entering school.
Below is a short list of SOME acceptable snacks:
Fruits (i.e. apples, oranges, grapes, etc.)Honey Maid Graham Crackers
Fruit CupsVegetables
Cheese or cheese sticksRaisins
YogurtSunshine Saltine Crackers
PretzelsTeddy Grahams
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish (all flavors)
We realize that it takes a certain amount of effort and diligence on your part, and we want you to know that the school and the student’s family thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Sincerely,
Denise DiGiuseppe RN, School Nurse