Re: help with kindergarten

September 12, 2008

The first thing that strikes me is why kindergarteners are making French bread! That seems quite unlikely!

H.**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)

September 12, 2008

Hi Colleen --

The most concerning thing here is that they are insensitive to the child's inability to work with gluten ingredients. It is indeed unsafe for her to be in a room where flour is being used, whether for cooking or for paper mache, or anything. The flour gets in the air and stays suspended there for up to 24 hours after use (this is from Clan ).

If they won't work with you, you may need to go as far as finding another school. Public schools MUST work with you. Maybe private ones don't have to -- but I'm not sure. This still might be covered by a 504 (google: 504 plan school) even in private schools. We didn't set up a 504 -- fortunately we haven't had to.

I have a child with celiac who was diagnosed 6 months ago, and we started this year by presenting a detailed letter to the teacher with all of the things we need the school to do or not do (in a nice tone, of course), such as no use of flour in the classroom, unrestricted access to the bathroom and sink, access to a microwave, and keeping a supply of GF treats that I supply at the school for cases when other kids get treats she can't eat (such as someone's birthday). A template of this letter is attached.

I see you are on the ROCK list as well -- that's good. I got this letter template from another mom on that list and modified it for our needs. I hope it helps you!

You do need to be firm - none of this is asking too much of the school -- it is not unreasonable. The school is being unreasonable, but it sounds like this may be because they do not understand the disease and the fact that even tiny exposures will cause harm. As parents, we need to do a lot of educating of teachers about this disease -- I now realize this is going to have to be my role for the rest of her childhood.

BTW, our daughter's last two teachers responded very well to this!

Best wishes,

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Colleen McGuireSent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:13 PM ; bayareaceliacROCK Subject: [ ] help with kindergarten

Hi Everyone - I'd really appreciate some input on a problem I'm having with my daughter's kindergarten. It is a state licensed, non-profit, Christian preschool and kindergarten, using the facilities of a Church. I just received a notice of fees for the year. The total is $75 but $20 is for a Thanksgiving feast and another $30 includes making "pizza, tea party, pancakes, cookies, candy (halloween), christmas cookies, chinese food, irish soda bread, french bread and various ingredients". I e-mailed the teacher to plan a meeting to discuss this assuming I would not be paying this $50 portion of the fees since I'd have to supply all my daughter's ingredients for the cooking projects. The teacher's response was as follows:

"Every year, there are children who do not, will not, or will never be able to eat the food that they prepare at school. The obective of the cooking activities is for the children to learn measuring, to learn about the ingredients that go into the preparation of the food, and to observe the changes that take place (i.e. apples to applesauce, dough to cookies, etc.). If a child does not eat the food he/she prepares, the child will be able to take it home to his/her family. The expense of the ingredients needed to prepare the food will be the same regardless of whether the child eats the food or not. Therefore, the director and I have decided that the fee needs to remain the same for each child in order to cover these expenses."I know from experience that they will not change things to make them GF for my daughter and their policy is that even if GF food is brought in by anyone but myself my child is not allowed to eat it (it is a very small school and parents have really tried to be inclusive by bringing GF snacks and food that I'm completely comfortable with, but the school does not allow it to be consumed by my daughter.) I'm not comfortable having use gluten ingredients even if she won't eat them and it seems unfair to have her unable to eat food, such as pizza and cookies in class that everyone else will be enjoying. Has anyone dealt with something like this? I am just a little fed up with paying the same amount when my child can't enjoy any of the food and it could very well be dangerous for her to work with. However, I don't want to be unreasonable either. Thanks for your input.Colleen McGuire

September 12, 2008

Last time I was in the room with wheat

flour I got soooooo sick – and I even had a pair of goggles over my eyes

and a wet towel held over my nose and mouth to block the flour.

What I think you should do is inform them

that unless they agree to make everything GF, your daughter will not be

participating, and indeed, will not even be coming to school that day or the

next due to the danger of her becoming ill because of the flour in the air, and

that, no, you will NOT be paying the extra fee. Would they make you pay

the extra fee charged to go on a field trip if your daughter did not attend?

Lillyth

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of D Darcy

Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008

9:51 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] help

with kindergarten

Hi Colleen --

The most concerning thing here is that

they are insensitive to the child's inability to work with gluten ingredients.

It is indeed unsafe for her to be in a room where flour is being used, whether

for cooking or for paper mache, or anything. The flour gets in the air and

stays suspended there for up to 24 hours after use (this is from Clan

).

If they won't work with you, you may need

to go as far as finding another school. Public schools MUST work with you.

Maybe private ones don't have to -- but I'm not sure. This still might be

covered by a 504 (google: 504 plan school) even in private schools. We didn't

set up a 504 -- fortunately we haven't had to.

I have a child with celiac who was

diagnosed 6 months ago, and we started this year by presenting a detailed

letter to the teacher with all of the things we need the school to do or

not do (in a nice tone, of course), such as no use of flour in the classroom,

unrestricted access to the bathroom and sink, access to a microwave, and

keeping a supply of GF treats that I supply at the school for cases when other

kids get treats she can't eat (such as someone's birthday). A template of this

letter is attached.

I see you are on the ROCK list as well --

that's good. I got this letter template from another mom on that list and

modified it for our needs. I hope it helps you!

You do need to be firm - none of this is

asking too much of the school -- it is not unreasonable. The school is being

unreasonable, but it sounds like this may be because they do not understand the

disease and the fact that even tiny exposures will cause harm. As parents, we

need to do a lot of educating of teachers about this disease -- I now realize

this is going to have to be my role for the rest of her childhood.

BTW, our daughter's last two teachers

responded very well to this!

Best wishes,

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Colleen McGuire

Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008

8:13 PM

;

bayareaceliacROCK

Subject: [ ] help with

kindergarten

Hi Everyone - I'd

really appreciate some input on a problem I'm having with my daughter's

kindergarten. It is a state licensed, non-profit,

Christian preschool and kindergarten, using the facilities of a Church. I

just received a notice of fees for the year. The total is $75 but $20 is

for a Thanksgiving feast and another $30 includes making " pizza, tea

party, pancakes, cookies, candy (halloween), christmas cookies, chinese food,

irish soda bread, french bread and various ingredients " . I

e-mailed the teacher to plan a meeting to discuss this assuming I would not be

paying this $50 portion of the fees since I'd have to supply all my daughter's

ingredients for the cooking projects. The teacher's response was as

follows:

" Every year, there are children who do not, will not, or will

never be able to eat the food that they prepare at school. The obective of the

cooking activities is for the children to learn measuring, to learn about the

ingredients that go into the preparation of the food, and to observe the

changes that take place (i.e. apples to applesauce, dough to cookies,

etc.). If a child does not eat the food he/she prepares, the child will

be able to take it home to his/her family. The expense of the ingredients

needed to prepare the food will be the same regardless of whether the child

eats the food or not. Therefore, the director and I have decided that the

fee needs to remain the same for each child in order to cover these

expenses. "

I know from experience that they will not change things to make them GF for my

daughter and their policy is that even if GF food is brought in by anyone but

myself my child is not allowed to eat it (it is a very small school and parents

have really tried to be inclusive by bringing GF snacks and food that I'm

completely comfortable with, but the school does not allow it to be consumed by

my daughter.) I'm not comfortable having use gluten ingredients

even if she won't eat them and it seems unfair to have her unable to eat food,

such as pizza and cookies in class that everyone else will be enjoying.

Has anyone dealt with something like this? I am just a little fed up with

paying the same amount when my child can't enjoy any of the food and it could

very well be dangerous for her to work with. However, I don't want to be

unreasonable either. Thanks for your input.

Colleen McGuire

September 12, 2008

It resembles an allergic reaction; it is NOT an allergic reaction.

In a message dated 9/12/08 8:17:15 AM, melbatavia@... writes:

Have your pediatrician write a letter...an assertive letter, which might include info that, not unlike a peanut allergy, handling ingredients that contain gluten will cause an allergic reaction

**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)

September 12, 2008

The point isn't whether CD is more or less serious than an allergic reaction. It's simply a different medical category. Staying completely accurate and therefore completely credible is important for your daughter's situation and for other people with CD.

It's fine to draw a parallel, use severe allergies as an analogy. Just be careful not to say they're the same.

In a message dated 9/12/08 9:20:13 AM, melbatavia@... writes:

Ok, so it's not a deadly allergic reaction...sorry. But my daughter gets pretty darn sick very, very quickly and is down for 24 hours....

Did not mean to mislead or misrepresent. Of course, it's not an anaphylactic reaction.

**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)

September 12, 2008

Have your pediatrician write a letter...an assertive letter, which might include info that, not unlike a peanut allergy, handling ingredients that contain gluten will cause an allergic reaction (and describe what that would be. In our case, my daughter would become sleepy, then nauseous, then - with full contamination - become violently ill).

The school doesn't understand. I don't care how small it is. Be strong. Stand up for what you want. Your example will help other parents that come in the future.

-------------- Original message -------------- From: "Colleen McGuire" <colleen.mcguire@...>

Hi Everyone - I'd really appreciate some input on a problem I'm having with my daughter's kindergarten. It is a state licensed, non-profit, Christian preschool and kindergarten, using the facilities of a Church. I just received a notice of fees for the year. The total is $75 but $20 is for a Thanksgiving feast and another $30 includes making "pizza, tea party, pancakes, cookies, candy (halloween), christmas cookies, chinese food, irish soda bread, french bread and various ingredients". I e-mailed the teacher to plan a meeting to discuss this assuming I would not be paying this $50 portion of the fees since I'd have to supply all my daughter's ingredients for the cooking projects. The teacher's response was as follows:

"Every year, there are children who do not, will not, or will never be able to eat the food that they prepare at school. The obective of the cooking activities is for the children to learn measuring, to learn about the ingredients that go into the preparation of the food, and to observe the changes that take place (i.e. apples to applesauce, dough to cookies, etc.). If a child does not eat the food he/she prepares, the child will be able to take it home to his/her family. The expense of the ingredients needed to prepare the food will be the same regardless of whether the child eats the food or not. Therefore, the director and I have decided that the fee needs to remain the same for each child in order to cover these expenses."I know from experience that they will not change things to make them GF for my daughter and their policy is that even if GF food is brought in by anyone but myself my child is not allowed to eat it (it is a very small school and parents have really tried to be inclusive by bringing GF snacks and food that I'm completely comfortable with, but the school does not allow it to be consumed by my daughter.) I'm not comfortable having use gluten ingredients even if she won't eat them and it seems unfair to have her unable to eat food, such as pizza and cookies in class that everyone else will be enjoying. Has anyone dealt with something like this? I am just a little fed up with paying the same amount when my child can't enjoy any of the food and it could very well be dangerous for her to work with. However, I don't want to be unreasonable either. Thanks for your input.Colleen McGuire

September 12, 2008

Ok, so it's not a deadly allergic reaction...sorry. But my daughter gets pretty darn sick very, very quickly and is down for 24 hours....

Did not mean to mislead or misrepresent. Of course, it's not an anaphylactic reaction.

Helpful definition very succinct. I've printed it out for future reference.

Thanks.

mb

-------------- Original message -------------- From: flatcat9@...

It resembles an allergic reaction; it is NOT an allergic reaction. In a message dated 9/12/08 8:17:15 AM, melbataviacomcast (DOT) net writes:

Have your pediatrician write a letter...an assertive letter, which might include info that, not unlike a peanut allergy, handling ingredients that contain gluten will cause an allergic reaction**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)

September 12, 2008

If you wanted to press the point, you

could even tell them that you will be expecting tuition compensation for those

two days per baking activities that your child is unable to attend school because

they refuse to accommodate her medical condition.

You probably won’t get it, but it

would certainly let them know how serious it is, and it would give you a place

to negotiate from. I’m sure that after you inform them you want

reimbursement for those days, exempting you from a few small fees will seem

like peanuts…

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Lillyth Denaghy Keogh-Quillan

Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008

10:52 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] help

with kindergarten

Last time I was in the room with wheat flour I got soooooo sick

– and I even had a pair of goggles over my eyes and a wet towel held over

my nose and mouth to block the flour.

What I think you should do is inform them that unless they agree to

make everything GF, your daughter will not be participating, and indeed, will

not even be coming to school that day or the next due to the danger of her

becoming ill because of the flour in the air, and that, no, you will NOT be paying

the extra fee. Would they make you pay the extra fee charged to go on a

field trip if your daughter did not attend?

Lillyth

From:

[mailto: ]

On Behalf Of D Darcy

Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008

9:51 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] help

with kindergarten

Hi Colleen --

The most concerning thing here is that they are insensitive to the

child's inability to work with gluten ingredients. It is indeed unsafe for her

to be in a room where flour is being used, whether for cooking or for paper

mache, or anything. The flour gets in the air and stays suspended there for up

to 24 hours after use (this is from Clan ).

If they won't work with you, you may need to go as far as finding

another school. Public schools MUST work with you. Maybe private ones don't

have to -- but I'm not sure. This still might be covered by a 504 (google: 504

plan school) even in private schools. We didn't set up a 504 -- fortunately we

haven't had to.

I have a child with celiac who was diagnosed 6 months ago, and we

started this year by presenting a detailed letter to the teacher with all of

the things we need the school to do or not do (in a nice tone, of course),

such as no use of flour in the classroom, unrestricted access to the bathroom

and sink, access to a microwave, and keeping a supply of GF treats that I

supply at the school for cases when other kids get treats she can't eat (such

as someone's birthday). A template of this letter is attached.

I see you are on the ROCK list as well -- that's good. I got this

letter template from another mom on that list and modified it for our needs. I

hope it helps you!

You do need to be firm - none of this is asking too much of the

school -- it is not unreasonable. The school is being unreasonable, but it

sounds like this may be because they do not understand the disease and the fact

that even tiny exposures will cause harm. As parents, we need to do a lot of

educating of teachers about this disease -- I now realize this is going to have

to be my role for the rest of her childhood.

BTW, our daughter's last two teachers responded very well to this!

Best wishes,

From:

[mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Colleen McGuire

Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008

8:13 PM

;

bayareaceliacROCK

Subject: [ ] help with

kindergarten

Hi Everyone

- I'd really appreciate some input on a problem I'm having with my daughter's