Avoiding Spilled Milk
Keeping the Child Safe
1. First, meet the principal. It’s best to do this before school starts, and this step is essential for a first year at a school. You need to make sure that the principal understands the issues involved with dairy allergy. Make a good first impression; be reasonable, clear and encourage mutual respect. Know what you want to achieve. But, let the principal and/or vice principal speak first and explain the allergy procedures the school has developed. This fosters a positive atmosphere, and then you’ll only have to make the case for a few important items.
2. Be aware of the minefields. Direct dairy sources at school include: milk programs, pizza parties, chocolate, goldfish crackers, cheese strings, yogurt and bread. Cross-contamination or contact reactions can result from old Playdough, toys, faucets and door knobs. In the younger grades, children still place fingers in their mouths or noses and accidental ingestion this way can cause reactions.
3. Focus on reducing the risk. Some schools will make a specific classroom “allergy-friendly” and restrict dairy products to protect an allergic child. But milk in the form of whey, casein or modified milk ingredients is in so many foods that completely restricting it in a school would: not be practical, cause an uproar, and be impossible to police.
Still, according to several anaphylaxis laws and policies in Canada and the United States, a principal is required to devise and communicate the plan to minimize a food-allergic child’s exposures. If there is a milk program, discuss how your child will be accommodated (e.g. special table, no straws).
Next Page: Tips
kamwrites
Thanks for the great article. I too have a child with dairy allergies although, so far, the reactions have not been anaphylactic. It has been “interesting” preparing him for his first full-day school experience which will now involve lunch. His school has a “peanut-free” table which is helpful for that side of things, but kids at the table will have milk and other dairy products. I also noticed that the disposal area for milk is directly behind the peanut-free table. I am fortunate we have very responsive staff and administrators at our school. I appreciate the thought that went into this article and I wish you and your child well!
cherylr
Thanks for sharing some great tips for kids with dairy allergies. I myself feel like an old pro as my son will be 10 soon and is going into grade 5 this year. I would like to add some more suggestions in regards to kids with dairy allergies.
First, when it comes to your child’s safety you are the only advocate for them and never think you are being pushy when it comes to asking for help within the school environment.
The past year my son switched schools and now has lunch in a cafeteria setting as opposed to eating lunch at his own desk in the classroom and have a friend sit with him. At first I was a bit nervous about how things would work but the school was quite willing to arrange that he have his own small table and chair to sit at in the cafeteria. He also asks friends who are not having dairy to sit with him. (In younger grades the teacher often asked kids and soon they wanted to sit with him. This worked out very well.)
Sometimes I worry about isolation in regards to his allergy. I have not been so lucky to have pizza day dismissed from his school. I try to arrange Dr. or dentist appointments on those days or pack a special lunch and have a picnic (weather permitting). But as he gets older he doesn’t want me to take him out and miss recess that follows lunch. On these days we have arranges that he is either with one of the teachers in their classroom or in the VP’s office, for the 20 minute lunch period.
I can also suggest that you inquire about being the “class” parent. Teachers often appreciate having the stress of making sure class parties and special days that involve food will be safe for your child.
I also have a written letter (approved by the teacher) that is copied and handed out to all the parents in my son’s class that explains his dairy allergy (that it is NOT lactose intolerance etc…) and suggest safe snacks for them to bring to school. I particularly ask that they not bring yogurt or anything that is not in solid form for fear of …. yes, spilled milk!
Good luck to all of you parents with kids that have food allergies as you start another year!