"Nut Aware" Policy
Purpose:
Create an environment that is "Nut Aware", and therefore as safe as possible for children with life-threatening nut/peanut allergies. To give children with life-threatening nut/peanut allergies a chance to feel comfortable and the opportunity to be a part of and not excluded from special prizes, food, and parties within the school setting. To make sure teachers, students, parents, administrators and any other people affiliated with the school have the information, policies and support needed to ensure a nut/peanut aware environment is maintained to the best of their ability.
"Nut Aware" Guidelines
1. Lunches containing peanut or nut products will not be permitted in school. This include peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix, nut containing chocolate bars, nuts, or any other nut containing products.
2. In all cases parents should do the best of their ability to make sure all food items are nut free. No home baked items containing nuts or peanuts to be brought into the classroom for parties or birthdays.
3. Vending machines or other food vendors shall not be accessed on field trips. In the case of day trips, the teacher prior to the trip must make confirmation, before purchasing food for lunch programs.
4. The lunch program, fundraisers or special events that involve food, must be carefully checked ensuring the food is indeed safe for nut/peanut allergic children.
Educating Staff, Parents and Children on Nut/Peanut Allergies:
1. Staff members will be trained on what it means to have a life-threatening allergy, precautions, and treatment. They also will be given an outline of the policies that must be enforced within the school to ensure the "Nut Aware Policy" is being maintained. At this time they will also become familiar with all children in the school who have life-threatening allergies, and will be given a copy of the Emergency Plan for each student, or at least know where to find it.
2. Parents will be well informed of the "Nut Aware Policy" in our school by clear communication by the classroom teachers at the Meet the Teacher Night or at he Kindergarten Open House as well as through monthly reminders in the newsletter. Classroom letters given out by teachers should also remind parents of the fact.
3. The Principal or designate will inform the students at the beginning of the year during the first assembly about the school's "Nut Aware Policy". Classroom teachers will also teach and model this policy as they enforce the "Nut Aware Policy" by monitoring children's lunches and snacks. The information should be presented in such a way that children will want to be "on board" and keep each other accountable so they can keep their nut allergic classmates safe.
4. Posters and other visuals will be used and put up around the school by committee members so that all who enter will know that it is a nut aware zone.
5. Substitute teachers will be informed of the "Nut Aware" policy within the school by the teacher who is absent. This is to be included within the sub lesson plan. The absent teacher will also provide the emergency plan for any students who have life-threatening allergies that the substitute may be in contact with that day.
6. A number of resources are available through our library to help educate students, parents and staff.
7. If at all possible, students with allergies should wear a medic-alert bracelet.
Enforcement of "Nut Aware Policy":
If a student, parent or teacher brings in an item that is not nut free, the following course of action should occur.
1. Food item is confiscated, packaged, and disposed of, or kept in the office.
2. Person who handled the item will immediately wash their hands.
3. Principal will be notified and a phone call home will be made as a reminder by the teacher, principal, or designate.
Nut Safe Treats for the Classroom
Please note that labels must always be double checked as sometimes ingredients and warnings will change without notice.
Original Gummy Bear
Starburst
Skittles
Tootsie Pops
Gummy Zone Hotdogs
Gummy Zone Burgers
Jolly Ranchers
Ring Pops
Push Pops
Wonka-Runtz
Wonka Nerds
Rockets
Laffy Taffy
Twizzlers
Nibs
Goodies
Life Savors
Dare Wagon Wheels
Most Chips and Nachos
Popcorn
Fish Crackers
Teddy Grams
Packaged Rice Krispies
Hersey Kisses (not hugs and kisses)
The Original Oreo Cookie(not minis)
Fudgee-O
Most Suckers (check label)
Most Fruit Snacks
Fruit Leathers
Tic Tacs
Gum
Chapman’s Ice cream
Chapman's Ice cream Sandwich
Chapman's Popsicles
