Middle School Lunch Lacks Gluten-Free Options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a form to fill out to request special meals when needed

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/240-23.pdf

That is if you can predict when you need a meal. We often can’t. If my child forgets lunch or we have something at home going on (e.g., renovations or fridge failure or whatnot), my child can’t go to school and have anything

So if you can't predict (renovations or applicance breakdowns are not that common, though), then you need to count on packing. And if DC forgets too often, send some sealed GF snacks to keep in a metal canister in the locker. If DC's dietary needs are that specific that they can't do chips, salad, fruit, etc., then you will have to figure out a way to self-supply.

So you want to school to always have a particular meal available just in case your child forgets or you are busy? That does not seem like a reasonable request.

Gluten sensitivity is exceptionally common. They could easily add options that could become non-gluten, such as a hamburger. It’s not unreasonable.

Your kid doesn’t have celiac so there is nothing to accomodate here.

BINGO!!!! You don't get accommodations for sensitivities.

NP, but my kid with a sensitivity would get the shits if he had gluten. Just because he doesn't have celiac doesn't mean it's not worthy of accommodations.

When we first looked into it, our school assured us they could piece together a meal for him. He brings lunch, but could totally figure it out if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nut allergies are a lot more common and MCPS does not accommodate that either. People with celiac don't experience anaphylaxis if they eat something with gluten.

I have a child with celiac so I am not minimizing this issue but from a system wide perspective MCPS should address nut allergies first and MCPS has many other issues to deal with so I'm not sure why this would be a priority.

I agree with one PP said they should do this for kids on free and reduced lunch but I don't think it should be a priority for those who can afford to pack lunch. We do because we can and it's safer anyway.

NP - they do in the sense that there is always a nut-free option for lunch (as mom of a PN/TN-allergic kid). There are nut-free lunch tables at many schools if kids want them. IME, they've done well at preventing accidental exposure from food they provide, knock wood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a form to fill out to request special meals when needed

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/240-23.pdf

That is if you can predict when you need a meal. We often can’t. If my child forgets lunch or we have something at home going on (e.g., renovations or fridge failure or whatnot), my child can’t go to school and have anything

So if you can't predict (renovations or applicance breakdowns are not that common, though), then you need to count on packing. And if DC forgets too often, send some sealed GF snacks to keep in a metal canister in the locker. If DC's dietary needs are that specific that they can't do chips, salad, fruit, etc., then you will have to figure out a way to self-supply.

So you want to school to always have a particular meal available just in case your child forgets or you are busy? That does not seem like a reasonable request.

Gluten sensitivity is exceptionally common. They could easily add options that could become non-gluten, such as a hamburger. It’s not unreasonable.

Your kid doesn’t have celiac so there is nothing to accomodate here.

BINGO!!!! You don't get accommodations for sensitivities.

NP, but my kid with a sensitivity would get the shits if he had gluten. Just because he doesn't have celiac doesn't mean it's not worthy of accommodations. :roll:

When we first looked into it, our school assured us they could piece together a meal for him. He brings lunch, but could totally figure it out if needed.

Or, send some pepto.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nut allergies are a lot more common and MCPS does not accommodate that either. People with celiac don't experience anaphylaxis if they eat something with gluten.

I have a child with celiac so I am not minimizing this issue but from a system wide perspective MCPS should address nut allergies first and MCPS has many other issues to deal with so I'm not sure why this would be a priority.

I agree with one PP said they should do this for kids on free and reduced lunch but I don't think it should be a priority for those who can afford to pack lunch. We do because we can and it's safer anyway.

NP - they do in the sense that there is always a nut-free option for lunch (as mom of a PN/TN-allergic kid). There are nut-free lunch tables at many schools if kids want them. IME, they've done well at preventing accidental exposure from food they provide, knock wood.

Our schools were never nut free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you can afford a pricey kitchen remodel, but you can’t afford a second mini fridge for lunches? Just pack your kids own lunch.

Your child also has a locker so maybe think about sending shelf stable snacks they can keep in there.

You are too dense to understand that if your house is being remodeled, you dont have space for a fridge

You can find the space. Put it in your bedroom.

[Anonymous]

If it is a true medical issue, there should be a 504 and the school should accommodate. I just think it feels somewhat frivolous to ask for this on such a random and limited basis. If OP was struggling financially and her child relied on hot lunch for daily food, it would be entirely different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a form to fill out to request special meals when needed

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/240-23.pdf

That is if you can predict when you need a meal. We often can’t. If my child forgets lunch or we have something at home going on (e.g., renovations or fridge failure or whatnot), my child can’t go to school and have anything

So if you can't predict (renovations or applicance breakdowns are not that common, though), then you need to count on packing. And if DC forgets too often, send some sealed GF snacks to keep in a metal canister in the locker. If DC's dietary needs are that specific that they can't do chips, salad, fruit, etc., then you will have to figure out a way to self-supply.

So you want to school to always have a particular meal available just in case your child forgets or you are busy? That does not seem like a reasonable request.

Gluten sensitivity is exceptionally common. They could easily add options that could become non-gluten, such as a hamburger. It’s not unreasonable.

Your kid doesn’t have celiac so there is nothing to accomodate here.

BINGO!!!! You don't get accommodations for sensitivities.

NP, but my kid with a sensitivity would get the shits if he had gluten. Just because he doesn't have celiac doesn't mean it's not worthy of accommodations.

When we first looked into it, our school assured us they could piece together a meal for him. He brings lunch, but could totally figure it out if needed.

My kid's waistline is senstive to gluten too, and I demand they accommodate my kid's specialness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is a true medical issue, there should be a 504 and the school should accommodate. I just think it feels somewhat frivolous to ask for this on such a random and limited basis. If OP was struggling financially and her child relied on hot lunch for daily food, it would be entirely different.

Op here. There is a 504, but not for lunch, since they bring from home and only need something occasionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nut allergies are a lot more common and MCPS does not accommodate that either. People with celiac don't experience anaphylaxis if they eat something with gluten.

I have a child with celiac so I am not minimizing this issue but from a system wide perspective MCPS should address nut allergies first and MCPS has many other issues to deal with so I'm not sure why this would be a priority.

I agree with one PP said they should do this for kids on free and reduced lunch but I don't think it should be a priority for those who can afford to pack lunch. We do because we can and it's safer anyway.

NP - they do in the sense that there is always a nut-free option for lunch (as mom of a PN/TN-allergic kid). There are nut-free lunch tables at many schools if kids want them. IME, they've done well at preventing accidental exposure from food they provide, knock wood.

Our schools were never nut free.

I never said the schools were nut-free, I said there is a daily nut-free lunch option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is a true medical issue, there should be a 504 and the school should accommodate. I just think it feels somewhat frivolous to ask for this on such a random and limited basis. If OP was struggling financially and her child relied on hot lunch for daily food, it would be entirely different.

Op here. There is a 504, but not for lunch, since they bring from home and only need something occasionally.

A remodel is not a reason to demand a special meal for your child and its not a medical need, its a parenting concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a form to fill out to request special meals when needed

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/240-23.pdf

That is if you can predict when you need a meal. We often can’t. If my child forgets lunch or we have something at home going on (e.g., renovations or fridge failure or whatnot), my child can’t go to school and have anything

So if you can't predict (renovations or applicance breakdowns are not that common, though), then you need to count on packing. And if DC forgets too often, send some sealed GF snacks to keep in a metal canister in the locker. If DC's dietary needs are that specific that they can't do chips, salad, fruit, etc., then you will have to figure out a way to self-supply.

So you want to school to always have a particular meal available just in case your child forgets or you are busy? That does not seem like a reasonable request.

Gluten sensitivity is exceptionally common. They could easily add options that could become non-gluten, such as a hamburger. It’s not unreasonable.

Your kid doesn’t have celiac so there is nothing to accomodate here.

BINGO!!!! You don't get accommodations for sensitivities.

NP, but my kid with a sensitivity would get the shits if he had gluten. Just because he doesn't have celiac doesn't mean it's not worthy of accommodations.

When we first looked into it, our school assured us they could piece together a meal for him. He brings lunch, but could totally figure it out if needed.

That's absolutely what it means. Kid doesn't have celiac. Kid doesn't get accommodations.

[Anonymous]

Can you Ubereats her something once or twice a week? The front desk can take her lunch and call her to the office for pick up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you Ubereats her something once or twice a week? The front desk can take her lunch and call her to the office for pick up.

Do you even have kids in school? This isn't allowed in any school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you Ubereats her something once or twice a week? The front desk can take her lunch and call her to the office for pick up.

Do you even have kids in school? This isn't allowed in any school.

BWAHAHA.

I am a school main office secretary with about 10 hours of frantic work to do in the space of 8. NO WAY am I a conduit for some kid's lunch.

It is not allowed in our school nor in the previous 2 schools I worked in.

[Anonymous]

Agree keep some well-sealed munchies in your locker. Kid can purchase fruits and salad at the cafeteria.

I had to laugh at "call the kid down" to get his lunch. During an algebra test? During a practice SAT?