DS starting Kindergarter/Pnut allergy woes

[just_carcar]

Hello all.. it's been probably going on two years since I've posted here, but I recognize a few names. :)

I decided to ask this here, because I remember all the allergy threads I used to see and know there are several mommas here who deal with such.

Well, it's time for my boy to start Kindergarten (Monday) and I'm stressing. As a history, in his Pre-K class (separate school) his epi-pens were kept inside the classroom, in a box kept out of reach of the children.

Of course, in the new public school he'll be at, things will be different.

They want the epi-pens "locked up" (literally? I don't know) in the nurse's office, where they will be in case they are needed. I have such mixed feelings about this, I don't know whether to pick this battle or just let them handle it.

What does your child's school do? Has your child ever had an event where s/he needed epi. while at school?

I hope I can get some sort of reassurance here.. I know it's just added in on top of regular starting-kindergarten jitters, but it sucks. :(

[Teresa64]

I would think something like that the teacher would be required to carry around...what if he is outside?

[Teresa64]

I don't know how those things work...does he have a allergy bracelet or anything like that? I know with our cousins she had one of those made for her son...plus she made his lunch everyday and grilled him on never trading food with anyone and asking his teacher before he ate any snack that other children brought.

[just_carcar]

Thanks, Teresa. No, I don't have a bracelet yet but I do need to get one. I may order one today in fact. And yes, he'll be taking his lunch every day. He'll have a special end of the table where the teachers will check the lunches around him. (We'll see how long that'll hold up.) I really want to trust them, but don't want to get a false sense.. kwim?

And LOL- yes, he gets grilled too! Must just be an allergy mom thing!

I'm with you, though. What if he is outside? What if he's at PE?

That's double-sided, though.. what if he's outside and they assume any meds would be in the nurse's office and go there first?

Yet another side as dh pointed out: What if they go to the nurse and she's in the bathroom or not in the office? Surely it's not literally locked up, and if so not only she has the key... I think I'm going to have a talk with the principal today. *sigh*

edit: could we *be* any more paranoid?

[Teresa64]

I don't blame u its a scary thing. Especially at that age. Plus most people don't realize how many foods u have to be careful for with that allergy. I would defintely demand to the school that you be able to sit down with all his teachers the nurse and the principal and come up with a game plan. To me that seems like the only sensible thing to do. That way u know for sure everyone is on the same level with this.

[just_carcar]

Well, I just talked to my stepmom and we got some sense of it. I think I do want it in the nurse's office. If anything funky starts happening, that's the first place anyone would go, right?

So now I just need to call the principal (or talk with someone on Monday) and clarify some things:

Is the nurse there all day/every day?

If she isn't, do several other people know the locations of meds?

Is the stuff really locked up? I don't want it locked up where it could only add extra minutes to a response if someone weren't there with a key..

So I guess I'll calm down for now. I really wish I didn't have what I see as a "negative" view on all of this, but I guess that's what helps keep our kids safe in some cases. Thanks for your responses, Teresa.. I'll let you know what I find out! :)

[Teresa64]

Good luck!!!!

[Amy_G_]

I think if this is a life threatening allergy you need a 504 plan or an IEP to ensure his safety. I would also recommend to start out asking for epipen in more than one place in the school in a child proof container, but not locked up. then if you have to settle for less, maybe you'll get more than the minimum. also know that many schools have made accomodations for this kind of thing as the # of allergic students has increased, so that if they say "it can't be done" you can say that you know that it has been done.

I would talk directly to the nurse. At our school we can't seem to keep a school nurse--there is a shortage of school nurses so they leave for a better paying job at another school. If there is no nurse on the school grounds, a first aid trained secretary will act as fill in nurse, and a nurse from another school comes over to administer meds to say the kids with diabetes etc. That means someone besides the nurse needs to be trained on the use of the epipen.

You can google your state plus epipen laws/accomodations in school or various other phrases. some states have made it up to the school, and a very very few states have made it so the epipens can be in a less restrictive environment. but I don't remember details.

also google peanut allergy websites to find one made up of parents in the same boat as you to get more appropriate advice.

[bfmomworries]

we have a student coming through with a severe peanut allergy. Where his epi-pen is located, i do not know for sure (he will be in my grade this year so I am sure we will be told this year), but we are given a special inservice every day at the first inservice for the grade in which he will be enrolled and all teachers he will have contact with. We also have a special paper for our sub folders indicating this child has a severe life threatening allergy to peanuts/nuts.

The students in all of his classes are sent home a letter staing that we have a student with a severe peanut/nut allergy and that if they are considering bringing in any snacks or treats for the classes, that they run it by the teachers first, so that we will be aware and can then contact the parent of the allergic student to make sure things would be ok, or to say things would not be ok, and don't send it in.

This student also has a special table reserved in the cafeteria that gets cleaned with a special cleanser before their lunchtime, and they have a few friends that they sit near that must bring lunches containing NO peanuts/nuts or anything that could have been prepared around peanuts/nuts.

I say this just to let you know of the training and plans we have in place at my school. Every school will be different, but I would bet your son's teacher would welcome to chance to meet with you and talk about your concerns so that they can start making plans and be able to alleviate some of your fears maybe.

Good luck, and I hope that everything runs smoothly! Don't be afraid of asking questions and asking for other precautions.

[_Gypsy_]

Life saving medication needs to stay with the child.

If that means your child wearing it or teachers handing it off every time the class is moved, then that's what needs to happen.

It needs to be written in your 504 or healthcare plan.

The simple fact is he could be dead by the time they realize what's happening and someone gets to the nurses office. It takes only minutes to die from anaphylaxis and in studies they did on this subject a few years ago I think the average time it took for them to realize what was happening, get to the medication and get back to the child was in the 15-20 minute range. I'll see if I can find it for you so you can take it with you when you *demand* his medication be with him at all times.

What state are you in? you may also have the state laws on your side.

[Justicedog]

I don't blame u its a scary thing. Especially at that age. Plus most people don't realize how many foods u have to be careful for with that allergy. I would defintely demand to the school that you be able to sit down with all his teachers the nurse and the principal and come up with a game plan. To me that seems like the only sensible thing to do. That way u know for sure everyone is on the same level with this.


I think I'd first ask to talk with teachers, nurse and principal. I think demanding is a little strong way to start something where cooperation is necessary. :) Perhaps it's semantics.

I'd also request that a whole table be a peanut free zone. Our school has this. Pnut allergy kids and their friends (who don't have nuts) in their meals sit there. The school lunch is nut free as well.

[just_carcar]

Thanks, Amy G and bfmom. I just ordered a peanut allergy bracelet for K, and have decided that I'll do my talking-to with everyone on Monday when I drop him off. I'll be in no hurry, so I'll have allll day for them to deal with me. :p

I like the bracelet I ordered.. it's just one of the rubber awareness-type ones, but it does say peanut allergy with the medical emblems on each side. I figure this is a cheaper way to start with this type thing, and if he loses it I'm only out $5 or so... and if anything funny is going on, hopefully someone would look at it and go to the nurse.

Feeling a little better now. FINALLY made my coffee for the morning, lol. I've decided that once I get my own school work and test done online for the day, I'll have another load off. That's not helping my mind either, I know. LOL

[just_carcar]

Oops- two more posts while I was typing! Gypsy-- I think you're one I was thinking of with the allergy stuff.

I'm in GA.

Justicedog, yes- I did get to sit down with his actual teacher/aide yesterday afternoon and went over the epipen, symptoms, etc with them. I had the trainer with me and they each used it... and I heard the nurses tell the aide that they would get an in-service going for him. I'll have to follow up on that, too.

Gypsy, I totally agree with you- but I really don't know if I feel any better about them being responsible for passing it off any time K goes anywhere within the school. If we're weary of them getting to a central location w/in an allotted time, shouldn't we worry about them being able to keep up with it floating around the school?

Just a thought...


edit: And, I did tell dh last night, I can't wait until ds is old enough to use an epipen himself AND keep his mouth shut. Then it will be in his book bag and nobody will ever know it. And if they do, they can kiss my arse.

[Justicedog]

I have a concern about it being handed off - teacher to teacher. I think it sounds great on paper, but how successful is that in reality? I think that there should be multiple epi-pens. One in classroom, one in nurse's office, another close to outside door, or perhaps a pack that can go around a neck for the teacher/aide taking them outside.

I see handing it off to be something that could make it get lost easier for simple human error. Oh, I forgot it, do you have it? No, where did I put it? etc. While it would be a violation of the "plan" that's not going to do much good if child is harmed. I'd rather have a plan that is as realistic as possible with not as many chances for error.

[_Gypsy_]

GA doesn't have legislation in place to protect kids with anaphylaxis.
https://www.aanma.org/cityhall/ch_childrights.htm

However, this is the recommendation of the AAAAI
http://www.aaaai.org/media/resources/academy_statements/position_statements/ps34.asp

"Epinephrine should be kept in locations that are easily accessible and not in locked cupboards or drawers. All staff members should know these locations. Children old enough to self-administer epinephrine should carry their own kits. For younger children, the epinephrine device should be kept in the classroom and passed from teacher to teacher as the child moves through the school (eg, from classroom to music to PE to lunch). All students, regardless of whether they are capable of epinephrine self-administration, will still require the help of others because the severity of the reaction may hamper their attempts to inject themselves. Adult supervision is mandatory."

[_Gypsy_]

I have a concern about it being handed off - teacher to teacher. I think it sounds great on paper, but how successful is that in reality? I think that there should be multiple epi-pens. One in classroom, one in nurse's office, another close to outside door, or perhaps a pack that can go around a neck for the teacher/aide taking them outside.

I see handing it off to be something that could make it get lost easier for simple human error. Oh, I forgot it, do you have it? No, where did I put it? etc. While it would be a violation of the "plan" that's not going to do much good if child is harmed. I'd rather have a plan that is as realistic as possible with not as many chances for error.

I understand that, but it's better than having it too far away.

My preference is for children - even young children - to wear it. That way it's always on them and immediately available when seconds count.

[just_carcar]

Okay! Finally just bit the bullet and called for the principal. Got through the receptionist ("I'm sure his teacher related this to the principal... or would you just feel better talking to her?" "Yes, I would.")

She. Is. Awesome. She talked to me for around 10 minutes, I didn't feel rushed, and I got alll my questions answered.

Is a nurse present every day? yes.

Is the cabinet locked? yes.

Who has a key? Myself, my assistant, the front office, and the nurses.

Who will the in-service be provided to? The entire staff. Everyone is educated, and the ones who will be in direct contact w/ K will be given extra notification/heads-up.

When will it be held? During the first week of school.

Then we talked about the cafeteria situation. (which is just down the hall from the office/nurse's station. This is not a big school/building at all, just to give you a better picture.)

She explained the peanut-free table to me a little better. How they did that at the last school (in this county) she was at and it worked well. I, of course, was picturing my lone baby sitting all by himself. She explained that the child will usually pick a friend with a safe lunch to go and sit with them. It actually sounds pretty cool!

So, I'm thinking that after the first week or so, after he has a bit to make a new friend or two, I may request that. Especially for pb&j days. (UGH.)

And I noticed that his teacher put a huge notice on the bottom of the welcome letter that this is a peanut-free room and not to send snacks containing them.

So we're making progress. I'm sure some things will need to be tweaked along the way, but I feel like that will not be a problem to get going when I feel the need. And I'm not crying any more today. I'm done!

[bfmomworries]

excellent! It sounds like they have great plans in place, and she is very open to talking about this with you. Just let her or the school knowing if anything of the plan needs to be tweaked! Sometimes we (as a school) think we have everything under control, but the student or the parent may have other suggestions to make it run even better and more safely:)

Good luck and let us know how its going once its underway!

[mtmomma]

Well, I just talked to my stepmom and we got some sense of it. I think I do want it in the nurse's office. If anything funky starts happening, that's the first place anyone would go, right?

So now I just need to call the principal (or talk with someone on Monday) and clarify some things:

Is the nurse there all day/every day?

If she isn't, do several other people know the locations of meds?

Is the stuff really locked up? I don't want it locked up where it could only add extra minutes to a response if someone weren't there with a key..

So I guess I'll calm down for now. I really wish I didn't have what I see as a "negative" view on all of this, but I guess that's what helps keep our kids safe in some cases. Thanks for your responses, Teresa.. I'll let you know what I find out! :)

I have 2 for school for my DD one is with the nurse & one with the teacher. I also have that written into her medical care plan I & her Dr put together.

[just_carcar]

bfmom- Thanks! I will definitely keep y'all updated.. thanks for taking an interest! I forgot how much I liked this place (mostly, lol) :)

Mtmomma- thank you too. That is something I could look into. I always keep extras on hand.. which really builds up because of expiration dates! I'm always juggling which ones are closer to date (which I keep with me) and those that will keep longer (to leave elsewhere)..

Thanks again to everyone. Looking forward to hearing more ideas/experiences if you have them!