Alta Mayhugh | Williston Herald Williston Public School District 1 is taking action to be peanut-safe such as offering sunbutter instead of peanut butter in two of its schools, reading labels and doing research to make sure it doesn't miss any potentially dangerous products.
And the hot topic on the Williston Herald's Web site guest book is what the school district should or should not do in regards to students who are allergic to peanuts.
One reader is upset some students are denied peanut butter because a small number is allergic to peanuts; "What I really object to is that no public notice was given to the parents of our students so they would be able to get the facts and voice their opinions...And yes I still think these kids need to learn to deal with and live with their allergy. The world is not going to bow to them forever," the person said.
Another person argues peanut allergies are more dangerous, and schools would be doing the right thing by being peanut-safe.
"Simply put, it is ignorant to say that kids should 'learn to deal with it.' Kids with peanut allergies spend their whole lives learning to deal with their allergy. The real debate here is whether a school is an inherently riskier place then other locations. I would argue it is. We're talking about saving lives here. The solution is pretty clear," the person said. The District 1 School Board hasn't made a formal decision regarding how to handle peanut allergies throughout the district. In other words, the board has yet to adopt a policy regarding peanut allergies.
However, it has discussed the issue since last year. And what District 1 schools have done since then is handle peanut allergies on a case-by-case basis.
"The approach the schools take, is that as those allergies become prevalent in an individual school, we try to become peanut-safe. It's virtually impossible for the schools to suggest that we could be peanut-free, because we can't control everybody...so we make efforts to educate the staff and the students about those allergies," said Dave Hanson, president of the school board. "We do things we can to make the environment as safe as possible," he said.
According to an article titled "A Peanuty Dilemma," published in the Phi Delta Kappan magazine on April 1, peanuts are more potentially life-threatening than other allergies. "Peanuts can induce an anaphylactic reaction, causing difficulty in breathing and swallowing, throat tightness and hives," the article states. Allergies to peanuts are the leading cause of fatal anaphylactic reactions to food, the article states.
This is why the district is taking steps toward being peanut-safe. At Rickard and Wilkinson elementary schools, sunbutter is used instead of peanut butter. Sunbutter is made from sunflower seeds and has a similar texture to peanut butter, said Lynelle McKenzie, food services director for the district.
McKenzie and other officials are also doing a lot of label reading and research to make sure they don't miss any potentially dangerous products. And if the district had a school with a child with a severe airborne allergy to peanuts, the school would not serve peanut butter or any product that is processed in a plant where peanuts are processed, she said.
"We want to be safe for all students," McKenzie said.
The district continues to research ways it can be peanut-safe without being peanut-free, meaning it'd be completely rid of peanuts. It'd be difficult to rid the district of peanuts because, for one, that would mean students couldn't bring peanuts, peanut-butter sandwiches or other peanut products to school, McKenzie said.
Also, being completely free of peanuts would be expensive to the district. The district receives commodity peanut butter free from the government and has to pay for the sunbutter used at Rickard and Wilkinson, McKenzie said.
The district also relies on each school's 504 plan to make accommodations for students with severe allergies, McKenzie said. Schools are required by law to have 504 plans for students with impairments that substantially limit a major life activity, including learning and breathing, the article states.
Lisa Newson of Williston is for the idea of Williston District 1 being a peanut-safe school. She has a daughter who starts kindergarten at Lewis and Clark Elementary School this fall.
"Obviously this issue is important to me because my daughter will be attending school. I also firmly believe in preventing and possible serious problems. Public school is a place for kids to learn. Peanut allergies have become more serious over the years, and there have been cases where someone has not actually ingested peanut butter and had a reaction.
"Personally, not allowing peanut butter doesn't seem like such a big deal if the possible consequence could be a child suffering serious health problems or dying. Something so small to prevent injury or death to a child should be worth it to any parent or educator. If your family can't afford much else other than peanut butter and jelly for lunch, there are free school lunches available that you should apply for," Newson said via e-mail.
Comments
Allergy victim wrote on Jun 15, 2010 5:31 PM:
GWH wrote on Jun 15, 2010 2:45 PM:
crystal wrote on Jun 15, 2010 12:37 PM:
Interesting wrote on Jun 15, 2010 11:55 AM:
childrens advocate wrote on Jun 15, 2010 11:10 AM:
Sigma wrote on Jun 14, 2010 3:06 PM:
What are you, a vampire? Your sarcasm is not helping and worse, it's not even funny. Same with "Parent." "Me" is worth listening to, though. "
GWH wrote on Jun 11, 2010 2:06 PM:
Me wrote on Jun 10, 2010 11:09 PM:
I can't believe some of you are actually parents and would begrudge a child such simple, life-saving measures as no peanuts or peanut-contaminated products in school.
Such selfishness!
How about spending all this affronted energy showing up to vote for local government? Or showing up to school board meetings?
How about making a POSITIVE difference in our children's educational experience instead of being a stumbling block? "
Parent wrote on Jun 10, 2010 1:42 PM:
I would like the school to enclose the playground with a screen to stop all bees but that would be silly.
Please remove those egg and milk products so I don't have to worry about this. "
Food Allergy Support Group wrote on Jun 10, 2010 7:54 AM:
Food Allergy Support Group wrote on Jun 10, 2010 7:48 AM:
Concerned wrote on Jun 9, 2010 11:21 PM:
As matter of fact...he gets it from me. I also am allergic to milk, and I think all restaurants need to serve only soy milk. It should be illegal in the USA for there to be regular milk in stores or anywhere! My health is at risk.
Just keep taking stuff away! A little crazy if you ask me! "
Tabitha wrote on Jun 9, 2010 12:05 PM:
It is inaccurate to say a peanut or nut allergy is worse than any other food allergy. Any food allergy has the potential to become life threatening. Even certain food intolerances such as celiac (severe gluten intolerance) can be VERY debilitating and possibly life threatening.
What is true however, is that the management of life threatening nut and peanut allergies is made much more difficult by the nature of the allergen. Food allergies are an autoimmune response to a protein. With both nuts and peanuts which are similar but separate allergens that are often yet not always connected the protein is carried in a dust that is easily airborne. The proximity of peanuts becomes an issue due to this airborne dust.
The person allergic does not need to eat the protein for it to enter their system they can inhale the protein in airborne dust or they can come into contact with the protein on services. The risk of reaction due to contact is of greater concern with young children than adults due to their natural impulse to put fingers hands and objects in their mouth and to touch and rub the eyes and nose. This is the reason schools attempt to limit peanut protein in the environment. "
Torrie Vader wrote on Jun 9, 2010 1:04 AM:
wow this is silly wrote on Jun 8, 2010 11:47 AM:
Sue wrote on Jun 7, 2010 3:09 PM:
Lisa wrote on Jun 7, 2010 2:59 PM:
Young children share lunches, even if they're not supposed to. Kids will sneak candies (some having peanut butter) into their pockets and take them to school. It's just smarter AND better to try and avoid a serious accident than not taking all possible precautions to not prevent an accident. This is common sense, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised by how many people seem to have none. If you can prevent an accident, why would you choose not to? "
KKL wrote on Jun 7, 2010 12:02 PM:
Also, if you are going to nitpick peoples' "grammer", the least you can do is spell grammar correctly yourself. "
Frank wrote on Jun 7, 2010 9:59 AM:
Michael C. Young, M.D.(trained in pediatrics and allergy and clinical immunology, also a graduate of Harvard) says there's only a few ways for peanuts to be airborne. Here is his summary:
"In summary, inhalation of peanut protein can cause allergic reactions (but usually not systemic anaphylaxis), while odors can cause conditioned physiologic responses. In a well-ventilated school cafeteria located away from the kitchen and food preparation areas, the main source of peanut protein would be from direct ingestion or skin contact, not airborne contact." allergysafecommunities.ca/assets/common_beliefs_faan_2003.pdf
Also he's quoted to say, "Just smelling peanut butter will not cause an allergic reaction because there is no peanut protein
in an odor." This was from a study from Mt. Sinai Medical Center in 2003.
www-tc.pbskids.org/arthur/parentsteachers/lesson/health/pdf/Binky_Peanut_Allergy_QA.pdf
Bottom line: Peanut butter is not airborne. It doesn't contain the protein that will cause an allergic reaction. Although shelling peanuts can cause a reaction about the same of a person allergic to cats.
Now will somebody answer the question of how many kids were killed due to a peanut reaction in the entire history of the Williston School District.
Another study as well:
Distribution of peanut allergen in the
environment(2004)
Tamara T. Perry, MD, Mary Kay Conover-Walker, CRNP, Anna Pome´ s, PhD,
Martin D. Chapman, PhD,b and Robert A. Wood,MD
Published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
surefoodsliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/peanutstudy.pdf "
Joe wrote on Jun 6, 2010 11:43 PM:
The school district has been around for many years(more than 100) with people the allergy. There hasn't been a policy. Why the need now?
I also doesn't hope this doesn't go so far as banning all peanut products every where. Smoking as banned saying it kills. I could see this going way too far.
I suggest the school to handle it on a case by case basis. I'm guessing that's how it's been handled right now. I haven't heard any deaths because of this policy. "
Torrie Vader wrote on Jun 6, 2010 7:07 PM:
Lisa wrote on Jun 6, 2010 4:52 PM:
Mary Erickson wrote on Jun 5, 2010 7:21 PM:
KKL wrote on Jun 5, 2010 1:16 AM:
Tp Dan wrote on Jun 5, 2010 1:08 AM:
Lisa wrote on Jun 4, 2010 9:49 PM:
I believe the definition of ignorance is the lack of knowledge or education. Considering your lack of knowledge about airborne peanut alleriges, I don't think we're the one's who are ignorant Frank...
And yes, when you say the schools shouldn't ban peanut butter because of costs you are putting a price tag on a child's life. Isn't preventing an accident worth a few extra dollars? If you don't think a child's life or health is worth that extra money you are putting a price tag on it.
As to those saying that milk should be banned, there is no evidence showing that milk is an airborne allergy. Children allergic to milk (like my own child) have to actually drink the milk in order to have a reaction. As for fish/shellfish, that is an allergy that almost always occurs in adults due to a lack of reasonable exposure in children. However, if a child is found to have a serious fish or shellfish allergy in the school district then I would absolutely support them removing it from the schools.
School is supposed to be safe for EVERYONE. By allowing items that some students are severely allergic too you are willingly putting those children at risk.
To those who are opposed to this peanut butter ban, if a child were to die this year due to exposure to peanut butter while at school... what would you say to their parents? How would you explain how their child's life was the price to pay simply because YOU felt it wasn't necessary to ban peanut butter? "
Me wrote on Jun 4, 2010 9:49 PM:
I have a child with special needs. When I was pregnant the chances of my having a child with my child's disability was "statistically insignificant."
Funny how it doesn't feel that insignificant now. "
Me wrote on Jun 4, 2010 9:44 PM:
No, well, then there you go. "
Dan wrote on Jun 4, 2010 4:28 PM:
Frank wrote on Jun 4, 2010 4:19 PM:
I know most commenting about airborne allergies. Peanut butter is not airborne. There was a study that was done that showed that even when shells and peanuts were on the ground there was no detection of peanuts in the air nor an allergic reaction until the test subjects are told there is peanuts there. The allergic reaction is watery eyes and iching.
It's good to have a discussion. But we're had peanut allergies for many years. Why all of a sudden it's like we're killing children at school? I would like to see how many reported peanut reactions in the past 10 years at schools. Then show how many children died in Williston during school because of a peanut allergy. I'm guessing it will statistically insignificant.
To the people who say others are cold hearted or putting a price tag on a child's life is just an ignorant statement. Nobody wants a child to die.
The CDC reports that 3.9% of children have a food allergy. They don't break it down to how many children per allergy. So assume < 3.9%. Maybe the school should ban peanuts, crustaceans, fruits and vegetables, tree nuts and seeds, fish, food additives, milk products, and eggs. This should cover most allergies for children. As other say, "I'm sure you'd 'sing a different song' if it was your child at risk." "
Support Group question wrote on Jun 4, 2010 4:12 PM:
Good for you for forming a support group. But if there's already one at the hospital, wouldn't it be wise to merge your efforts with theirs so that there isn't any conflict? I've seen the posters for the Mercy food allergy support group and it seems like that's open to all families as well. "
AH wrote on Jun 4, 2010 2:48 PM:
rb wrote on Jun 4, 2010 1:44 PM:
Torrie Vader wrote on Jun 4, 2010 11:44 AM:
Lisa wrote on Jun 4, 2010 11:14 AM:
BUT even if it did cost quite a bit extra... are you really putting a price tag on a child's life? Saying that their life is only worth a few extra thousand dollars a year to make sure that they can attend school without facing a life threatening allergy? "
Sorry Sara wrote on Jun 4, 2010 10:21 AM:
Me wrote on Jun 4, 2010 9:11 AM:
" It must be quite difficult to manage a severe allergy, whether in a child or adult. I also understand concerns of the families, as well as the district for any liability caused by an allergic child coming in contact with a reactive product. Nonetheless, the safety of the child rests solely with the parents. Asking an entire school or district to change its menu, provide special, more expensive food, etc. to meet the needs of a few children is not necessarily in the district - or ultimately the taxpayer's - best interests. It's certainly an issue that needs to be examined more carefully from multiple perspectives, not just that of the impacted families. "
Sadly, this sounds like every ignorant opinion ever said against accomodating children with special needs in the public school system, which is why we have IDEA and other laws protecting the rights of children with special needs to a free, appropriate, public education. The accomodation required isn't going to adversely impact the rest of the school's population. Its peanut butter, for crying out loud! "
Food Allergy Parent wrote on Jun 3, 2010 9:36 PM:
Neva Walsh wrote on Jun 3, 2010 8:09 PM:
GW wrote on Jun 3, 2010 5:48 PM:
Torrie Vader wrote on Jun 3, 2010 5:38 PM:
dh wrote on Jun 3, 2010 5:13 PM:
Mom wrote on Jun 3, 2010 4:37 PM:
JrBzMom wrote on Jun 3, 2010 3:20 PM:
I am a mother of a child with a Severe Nut Allergies (Life Threatening)- and not just to Peanuts - Im talkin about ALL NUTS.
To the person who said "I still think these kids need to learn to deal with and live with their allergy" - What do you think they are doing? They DO deal with and live with their allergy on a daily basis it's not something that comes and goes such as a cold.
Most of these kids are on daily medication or have to carry Epi-pen's on them to be able to be safe and out in public - like such places as schools, parks, or restaurants. So tell me how by educating people about this that we are expecting the "world to bow to them"?
I am also very active in my sons schooling - I go and do random checks at the school - just to make sure that his 504 plan is being followed thru on.
I also go to his school at the begining of every school year to teach the staff on the correct way to use his Epi-Pen, just in case there is ever a need for them to have to administer it to him to save his life.
I am all for Peanut-Safe Schools in Williston and think that education and training on the subject is a great idea as well. "
Michelle wrote on Jun 3, 2010 2:33 PM:
Sara wrote on Jun 3, 2010 2:18 PM:
Me wrote on Jun 3, 2010 1:56 PM:
This isn't a matter of preference or a kid having to "get used" to something or "learn to live with it." These are elementary age children learning to live with a potentially life-threatening allergy and that means they need school to be a safe place while they learn, and grow, and become more responsible.
Geez. Have a heart. Do you want a child to die so yours can have peanut butter?? "
jb wrote on Jun 3, 2010 11:39 AM:
To the woman who thinks the school shouldn't cater to the special needs of others - where is your compassion? I'm sure you'd 'sing a different song' if it was your child at risk. "