The Valentine’s Day Classroom

Feb 3, 2012 by allergysf

In food allergy-savvy classrooms throughout the nation, elementary school teachers and room parents are planning Valentine’s Day parties for their students. Students are looking forward to the annual tradition of exchanging Valentines, while we parents of students with food allergies are keeping their guard up due to the potential for reactions at these classroom parties. Here are some helpful reminders as this holiday approaches:

• Call the room parent or teacher (whoever is taking the lead on organizing the party) to remind them about your child’s food allergies and discuss how your child can participate in the event equally alongside his/her classmates.
• Reinforce safety rules with your child about not accepting foods that have not been cleared by you or another designated adult.
• Remind your child not to open any Valentine’s Day candies from classmates.
• If it’s not too late, perhaps suggest some games and easy crafts that can be done during the party in lieu of eating food in the classroom.
• Work out a plan with your child’s teacher to have students wash their hands and/or use wipes after handling food. Send in extra wipes for the teacher to have on hand for students to use if they eat foods that contain your child’s allergen.