School activities/food situations

[Guest guest]

I do have a few thoughts to offer on school activities

and food situations. We have had a LOT of activities

with several of the kids involving food. It seems like

this year was the worst -- every unit on a different

country culminated in a " feast " for that country, then

there was the Thanksgiving Feast, the Christmas Party,

the Valentines Party. They're having a mothers' Day

Tea at my youngest' preschool (though the Director

asked me how I " felt " about it and wanted to know how

we would like to proceed !(?).

For those of you who have severely food allergic

children in school, you definitely need to get a 504

plan in place. FAN has enough information to educate

the educators on the law that they have no choice.

DONT WAIT until you've had a crisis to put one into

place. DONT WAIT until NEXT YEAR's school starts

before putting it into place. Do it NOW BEFORE the

new teachers are even assigned. It is not a " choice "

for the teachers and administrators to make

accomodations for food allergic children. It is the

law. You will find you will have few (if any)

disagreements once a 504 is in place. They must

follow the plan,and if they don't there is legal

recourse and they know it. Having the plan in place

eliminates any misunderstandings or those

administrators/teachers who just " don't get it " in

terms of the severity of the situation. It does not

matter what their understanding is, they simply must

follow the plan.

We made the mistake of putting a 504 in place for only

two of our kids (the most severe). One has an IEP and

all the health and food-related issues are clearly

laid out in that plan. When we had issues with

another, it was one that did NOT have a 504 in place.

I learned my lesson and now have spelled it out in HIS

plan. Now, every one of my kids has either an IEP or

a 504 clearing stating their allergic condition and

the acommodations that must be made. I never have any

difficulties that can't be solved by a gentle

reminder, or sending a copy of the 504 in -- there is

no more bickering or dealing with the schools to get

things done.

Our schools have become much better over the last two

years. I have found that I have much fewer problems

since I learned the applicable laws and very politely

but firmly began advocating for my children. It is

much easier now that THEY know I know!

For more information on 504 plans, check out

http://www.wrightslaw.com. There is enough free

information here to take care of all your needs in

this arena.

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