Do you have a food allergic child at Westbrook Elementary?

[Anonymous]

My suggestion would be to try and advocate for your child through the Westbrook PTA Health and Safety Committee buy unfortunately that committee exists in name only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am really not sure private schools are going to be a better option. Usually they are smaller so the ability to separate your child may be more limited (e.g, if they eat in the classroom, which my children did).

I would actually prefer my child is not separated, as that would mean they would be alone every day for lunch. how depressing and very unhealthy for their self-esteem in my opinion, besides peanut free tables and the like wouldn't help us. Our allergies include seeds.
Unfortunately from what I've heard and see here it seems there is practically no supervision at lunch-my main concern. perhaps once they are old enough we will try public, but for now it seems that private schools with much more supervision of the children are the only option.
thanks for your replies.

[Anonymous]

You might want to go visit before you decide based on anonymous posters on DCUM. Or wander over to the pool - there are always Westbrook parents out on the front lawn, especially during adult swim.

[Anonymous]

I agree that private schools supervise lunchtime much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might want to go visit before you decide based on anonymous posters on DCUM. Or wander over to the pool - there are always Westbrook parents out on the front lawn, especially during adult swim.

Yes do that. I hope you will end up talking to some of the meanies that also frequent the pool and would be gossiping about your child, just because he/she is different in their view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students are not well-supervised at lunch; there are just too many kids and not enough lunchroom attendants. So if what you would want is an attendant focusing on your child, making sure he doesn't eat prohibited foods, then no, that won't happen; you'd need to be sure that your child can police himself in terms of not sharing food, etc.

Thank you for this. I think we will hold off public school until he's older, if at all.
I really appreciate all the comments on this thread. It is very helpful to get "inside" info form parents, as the office staff said it wouldn't be a problem at all,etc...

Why don't you put him in a bubble and lock him in the closet until he's 40?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to go visit before you decide based on anonymous posters on DCUM. Or wander over to the pool - there are always Westbrook parents out on the front lawn, especially during adult swim.

Yes do that. I hope you will end up talking to some of the meanies that also frequent the pool and would be gossiping about your child, just because he/she is different in their view.

So this is why I suggested that the OP talk with current parents - preferably a variety of them. Because the Westbrook you've been describing (ineffective PTA, no supervision of kids, cliques of mean parents at the pool, dislike of anyone who is "different") does not at all gibe with the Westbrook my kids attended (last one graduated a couple of years ago), the neighborhood we all still live in, or the pool we belong to and spend a ton of time at because of the swim team. The OP has no way of knowing which of us is more accurate, because we are both anonymous.

DCUM can be a good jumping-off point for gathering information, but I would NEVER make a decision about anything based solely on what I read here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students are not well-supervised at lunch; there are just too many kids and not enough lunchroom attendants. So if what you would want is an attendant focusing on your child, making sure he doesn't eat prohibited foods, then no, that won't happen; you'd need to be sure that your child can police himself in terms of not sharing food, etc.

Thank you for this. I think we will hold off public school until he's older, if at all.
I really appreciate all the comments on this thread. It is very helpful to get "inside" info form parents, as the office staff said it wouldn't be a problem at all,etc...

Why don't you put him in a bubble and lock him in the closet until he's 40?

As for the quote about the bubble and the closet, I have seen similar unsolicited e-mails sent to Westbrook parents from other parents. I find that last comment very sad because we are all parents doing what we think is best for our children.

[Anonymous]

A different area elementary school but there is a peanut free table. You said that that won't help you but perhaps you could get them to make it "seed free" as well or whatever you need. My dcs don't have allergies but have good friends who do and they often sat at the "allergy table" as it is known to keep their friends company. Your son certainly would not be the only one at such a table. I would volunteer to be a room mom so you have more control over what food is served at class parties. At our school, birthday treats are served in the lunchroom so if your dc is at a different table, he could refuse such treats. Of course, it is nice if everyone remembers to bring in krispy kremes or popsicles (two items I know are generally safe for most kids) but some parents just aren't going to do it (and they are going to think something is safe as long as nuts aren't listed as an ingredient and ignore the "made in a facility with nuts part). It is a tough situation but before I just went private (where, as someone pointed out, it may not be better), I would have a meeting with the principal and look to work as partners. That type of approach may help to get results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students are not well-supervised at lunch; there are just too many kids and not enough lunchroom attendants. So if what you would want is an attendant focusing on your child, making sure he doesn't eat prohibited foods, then no, that won't happen; you'd need to be sure that your child can police himself in terms of not sharing food, etc.

Thank you for this. I think we will hold off public school until he's older, if at all.
I really appreciate all the comments on this thread. It is very helpful to get "inside" info form parents, as the office staff said it wouldn't be a problem at all,etc...

Why don't you put him in a bubble and lock him in the closet until he's 40?

As for the quote about the bubble and the closet, I have seen similar unsolicited e-mails sent to Westbrook parents from other parents. I find that last comment very sad because we are all parents doing what we think is best for our children.

Thank you for that, PP. I am the OP and I must say I'm not at all offended by the mean post above, rather I see it as written by someone who probably does not have a child with any sort of special need. They are simply ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that private schools supervise lunchtime much better.

We chose a small private school because among other reasons, everyone knows everyone and thus are alert to medical needs. The lunchroom teachers can name and identify the kids who have food allergies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that private schools supervise lunchtime much better.

We chose a small private school because among other reasons, everyone knows everyone and thus are alert to medical needs. The lunchroom teachers can name and identify the kids who have food allergies.

Same here.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am also a MCPS parent with children that have life threatening peanut allergies, so I understand your concern.

School lunchtime is somewhat chaotic. It will definitely be in your best interest to make sure your child has a safe table to eat, so go and talk to the school ahead of time. Also, if you are able, go to lunch on the first day of school to make sure your DC gets settled properly. I agree about trying to be the room parent to make sure your child has something to eat the parties. I have always been a room parent or worked closely w/ the room parents for this reason. Also, the teachers were always quite helpful when I contacted them.

My kids were allowed to select a few friends with "safe" lunches to sit with them at the allergy table. It has all worked out well and we have one child heading off to middle school in the fall w/ no incidents yet (knock on wood).

Have you read Dr. Woods' book? He noted that public schools are required to make accommodations for kids with allergies (ADA law), but private schools do not necessarily have to do so.

It is not easy, but hopefully it can be managed for your DC.

[Anonymous]

My friend always volounteered at lunch time and that way was around. Best way if you can do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend always volounteered at lunch time and that way was around. Best way if you can do it.

Is it common for public schools to have parent volunteers at lunch time?