Public school Ingorance of CD

Mom of CD teen · Guest

Public Schools are ignorant to the needs of my CD child/teen. I cannot get them to serve him a hot meal becaeu they will not guarantee no cross contamination. I requested a microwave for him to heat his meals int he winter. they refused to help.. I am going to the board and the local news to bring awareness, and complain about the schools. Any suggestions? mom of cd teen

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10974 Location: WI, USA

Hi Mom,

Welcome to the board! Sorry to hear that the school system is giving you a rough time. I don't know all the laws - but aren't they required to? I know peanut allgeries they must be very strict about.

Can you give us a little more background on the situation? Like...who you've talked to at the school? I would think going to the board would be your next step. Did you present them with a letter from the doctor? (if your child is offically diagnosed).

Going to the media is not a bad idea either! Give 'em hell Mom!!!! Smile

One word of caution tho...I think I would try to do this thru all proper channels first. Then as a last resort...go to the media. I have always found that it's easier to get someone to do something if you ask nicely and do it respectfully. If you get the school system agitated...you and your child maybe in for rough waters.

What state are you in? I'll look to see if I can find any state rules & regs on it.

I wish you well!!

By the way...it's not only public schools...it's society in general. We are working on changing that!!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

momofcdteen · Guest

I am talking about the state of KY. I have already went to the man in Frankfort in charge of all KY schools with no help. The nutritional services of Jefferson county are the ones that say no way. Actaully they are very disrespectful about the whole thing. They went as far as to tell me if I was that concerned about it, then I need to send lunch everyday with my child. I do, but he gets pretty tired of the same old thing.
He likes variety in his meals. Who doesn't?

And the best part, the school says that they are not required because his'allergy' is not life threatning to the point of immediate schock or death when consumed. I reminded her that although that is true, his would be a prolonged one with much agony and pain.

His doctor did write a letter to the school requesting the microwave for my son's safety.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10974 Location: WI, USA

You're right on the suffering aspect!

I think most of the Mom's that I know...send lunches with their kids. Just because they could not, would not trust the kitchen. Many will send thermos jugs for soup and hot items.

I can understand their "No guaranty on cross contamination". There would be a whole lot of legal battles if they would. Heck - many many restaurants wont do it! Eating out is difficult (a school cafeteria would be considered eating out) and always risky.

Still...it would be nice if they showed a bit of compassion and a willingness to work with you.

Do they have a "community microwave"? I would think that if the food was packaged in a good container - the contamination issues would be nil. It would not be ideal...but I think it's an option that could be worked around. Hmmm....what if you would provide them with a microwave - would there be a place they could put it so the general population could not use it? Maybe in a corner of the kitchen, an office/back room somewhere. I think you can get small "dorm" type units for a reasonable price.

Just curious - Do you have a 100% GF household?

Good luck in your fight! I hope you do get some resolution to this. Please let us know how things go!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Linda · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:53 am Post subject:

I wish I could help. My son is only in grade one and he takes his lunch (no cafeterias in Canadian elementary schools). So far he has always take gf bunwiches or gf soup in a thermos. I would love for him to have access to a microwave for his lunch, but I guess it wouldn't be fair to the other kids. His teacher is great, her best friend has CD/lactose intolerance and there is a staff member with CD. His teacher is keeping GF treats in her desk in case of an emergency.

I did have a bit of a time with the principal, though, when I asked for access to an oven/microwave on the fun lunch pizza days. They are about once every six weeks and he hemmed and hawed and tried to convince me to bring it hot from home. I explained that I was on the fun lunch committee and would not have a chance to make it and bring it hot, I would already be at the school and all I needed was either 10 minutes in an oven or 2 minutes in a microwave and since my son was in the office looking kind of sad and miserable he said that he didn't think it would be a problem and that of course every child should be able to participate in the fun lunch program.

I should think that the principal of your school would want to cooperate with you, it's the health of one of his students. I personally don't see the big deal. I'm sure the cafeteria has enough room for a teeny little microwave for your son's bag lunch. I can see their point if your son is buying lunch every day, because they probably have to feed 600 or so kids within 2 hours and that would be tricky for cross contamination, but if he brings leftovers he should certainly have access to a microwave.

Good luck!
Linda

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 3000

Mom of CD Teen,

A few thoughts...first, does your child have a 504 plan in effect? If not, start there (providing you are in the States).

Second, have you offered to furnish a microwave if the school will provide a place for it to be kept clean and safe? I know others who were successful when they provided the microwave for their child.

A thermos filled with boiling water and emptied and immediately placed full of hot food tends to keep food warm/hot for hours.

Lastly, it's not the school's job to provide your child safe meals. It's your job and your childs job to keep his/her meals safe. Personally, I wouldn't let my child eat school lunches whether or not they are GF.

It seems to me the less time consuming thing to do is ask us to brainstorm GF lunch options, but it seems as if you want a fight with the school system. As a former educator, I'm going to tell you that your child is the one who is going to pay if you don't try to solve this via reasonable means.

TEC

momofcdteen · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Kentucky

to all,
Yes I want to fight the school system. I want the teachers and the others associated with the schools to be educated to this disease. I never really intened the school to serve my son. I only really wanted him to be able to use the microwave. He loves my leftovers. It is to the point now that I am angry that they will not make notice of this disease. The school system says that no child will be allowed access to a microwave due to saftey reasons. He is 12, he knows how to use one. I even offered to sign a waiver for its use. I do not and will not offer to buy the microwave. They have ones at the school that can be used. Anyway, other parents are not charged for other cooking systems. Okay, maybe I am a little angry but my son deserves the respect as any other child.
I am very familiar with other lunch options. I have Danna Korns books and The Incredible Edible child, and so much more. He just doesn't like the stuff.

To the one that asks if my kitchen is 100% gluten free, no it is not. We are about 80%. My husband and other son still love the pasta. I do all the cooking, so I know his meals are safe. I have even been able to educate his friends and their parents so they can cook for him on overnight stays.

I would also like to add that I understand that restruaunts are even nervous about the cross contamination issue but it can be done. There are a few here in Louisville that have gluten free menues, PF Changs and Outback. If they can do it, then one person in the school sysem can do it. They just do not want ot make the effort.
momofcdteen

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10974 Location: WI, USA

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:04 pm Post subject: ignorange of public schools

Al, I may sound more angry than I really am. I am ususally a pretty big softy. My biggest beef with the school system is their insensitivity to the whole situation. My child has come home in tears because of the pizza parties at school that he is not a part of and the fieldtrips that involve a trp to McDonalds is not easy on him either.

His actaul school has no problem with it, in fact his teacher has offered to go against the county school system and do it 'behind the scenes'. the county is the one that says he cannot have a MW for him to heat his food or any other. That is just goofy. He has 7 more years of school lunches.

Keeping a spilt CD household has not been too difficult. My family has adapted to the rules just fine. We mark everything and my son has his own cabinets. I should also tell you that we have been tested and are okay. I do have mysthenia gravis which has been related to CD since it to is an autoimmune disease.

If in fact 1 of 133 people may have this disease then it is time for the schools to be educated. The nutritionsist for the school sytem told me that I was being too extreme with the contamination issue and mocked me by saying that he could get wheat of a door knob.

My employer requires us to take senior sensitivity courses, maybe the teachers should take celiac sensitivity classes.
momofcdteen

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10974 Location: WI, USA

Hi Mom,

Can I ask how long DS (Dear Son) has been GF?

Oh gosh...pizza party...yup...that's gotta be hard. Are these pizza parties at school and do you know ahead of time? Then maybe he could bring his own pizza. I bring my own food all sorts of places. It takes some getting used to...but in some ways it's kind of cool. At least I always know I'm going to like what I'm having!! LOL Many times when we do provide GF food (at a party)...the NGF people end up wanting to eat it as well! Other times, NGF people turn up their nose at it...that's OK...'cuz I know that it's really good and it leaves more for me!!

The McD trip should be a piece of GF cake!! Burger w/o bun and fries. Fries are OK due to dedicated fryer. Shakes are OK. Ice cream is OK (minus the cone). Have you seen the McD's GF menu? http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.nutrition.categories.gluten.index.html

I am glad the teachers are going out of their way. Hopefully they won't get repremanded if the county would find out. From personal experience I have found most teachers are quite compassionate. I have had my fair share of help from certain teachers when I was that age (loooong story).

Would one of his teachers heat up his food for him...they gotta have a MW in the kitchen or certainly the teachers lounge. Of course...NO ONE REALLY knows whats in the teachers lounge because they always had Ft Knox security around it...at least when I was in school 25 years ago. LOL!!!

I am glad that your family has been tested! With MG..I'm guessing your are GF too? I am sorry to hear that you have MG - from what I've read..it's "not fun".

As for the nutritionist...well...they need to go back to school! As you know...yes in fact you CAN get glutened from a door knob! Have you presented any Celiac/Gluten related info to the nutrionalist? There is TONS of stuff you could print out in the Diagnositic Forum here. There are several that I'd choose to give them. Hopefully they'd be smart enough to see that this stuff is serious.

FWIW, here's my list of info for the school personel (ie nutrionist)

Going GF - A Primer for Clinicians: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/digestive-health/DennisArticleApril.pdf

Gluten Intolerance Group - Diet Quick Start Guide: http://www.gluten.net/downloads/infopackets/QuickStart-Mar04.pdf

GIG - Celiac Disease: http://www.gluten.net/downloads/infopackets/CDbrochure.pdf

GIG - Understanding your Student: http://www.gluten.net/downloads/infopackets/UnderstandingYourStudent.pdf

GIG - Associated AutoImmune Diseases (what can happen if not GF): http://www.gluten.net/downloads/infopackets/Assoc-Autoimun.pdf

DietitianCenteral.com - I just ran into this the other day. This is the food intolerances section. Just look thru the list and see how many are gluten related! http://www.dietitiancentral.com/newstand/Food_Intolerances.cfm

Take care!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject:

I would swap committee assignments with another parent and get off of the fun lunch pizza committee. That way, when there is a pizza day, you will have time to see that your son gets a serving of hot, gf pizza. If you don't accomodate this, your son may someday resent that you helped get a treat for others but didn't see to it that he was taken care of, just because the school didn't make it easy enough for you.
I can tell you this first hand, as one of my parents "bragged" about being on the school board of my elementary school for years. To me, it seemed to indirectly hurt me because while my friends' parents were requesting the favorite teachers and taking sack lunches, my parents insisted on not requesting a teacher and making all of their children buy cafeteria lunches, because my mom was on the school board!
PUT YOUR OWN CHILD FIRST! \
P. S. I realize your other children may participate in the fun lunch day, but they won't mind if you are on another committee that also provides fun.
PPS My daughters (both gf) both took sack lunches from 1st through 12th grade. As long as I sent a throwaway container (brown paper sack) and stuff they liked, they never complained. Lots of their friends did the same, and while others were waiting in line, they ate and still had time to relax, etc. over the lunch break. None of their schools' cafeteria food looked all that appetizing.

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 6:01 pm Post subject:

Sorry - reading too fast! Thought "Linda" on the fun lunch committee was the same mom as momofcdteen!

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:21 pm Post subject:

AKLAP
I had no idea McDonalds had this list. Thank you ever so much. I looked last April (2004) when he was diagnosed and never found this. I knew the shakes were fine from the nutrionist I went to to learn how to cook for him. This made his day. thank you. He was just saying the other day that he would love some McD fries.
momofcdteen

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:00 pm Post subject:

Hi Mom,

Glad I could help! Very Happy

Please, poke around out here...there's lots of info here. You'll find all sorts of treasures like the McD's GF menu Smile

Hmmm, this menu have been around ever since I've been GF - that has been almost 2.5 years.

Take care!

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10974 Location: WI, USA