Snacks in clasrroom-new school-guenerally freaking out!

[joshsmom]

***update-Just got an email from the teacher-no snacks in 2nd grade. So funny how happy this makes me!

We have moved to a new state. The schools are supposed to be great in regards to academics and food allergies. They are honoring his 504 that came with his records just adjusting to their school district.  They are making it a peanut/treenut free classroom, BUT if someone brings it in they will make a buffer zone for my son. I am so stressed right now. This will be the first time in his classroom where everyone brings their own snack. I don't know what to think. I am feeling very overwhelmed. My friends have always been great, but my own family will eat nuts around my child which has usually ended with screaming and us leaving. So how can I trust complete strangers with my child. Our old school district did whatever was asked. I don't mean to go on and on, but I am freaking out here. The parents won't even know it is nut free classroom til the school sends the letter home. what do I do?
My son is the only one in his class with allergies. They have over 50 kids with food allergies at this school!!!

Also, We believe my son is contact reactive now due to hives that covered his back from the swimming pool. We just wiped him off and went to a different pool and they went away!

[YouKnowWho]

We have always been a bring your own snack scenario.  This year, like last year, there is another child with food allergies in the classroom.  I have not asked for a peanut free classroom (they wouldn't give it to me anyway).  They move my son and his classmate to a separate table if there are peanutty snacks out.  All of the kids wash hands after snack with the teacher and parapro wiping down the desks of the nutty kids with Clorox wipes. 

Initially I wasn't comfortable having him singled out but at the same time, the table where they sit is a communal table for projects whereas they don't do communal projects at their individual desks.  So for me, the risk is smaller. 

And no, it's not an ideal situation but given that they won't go peanut free, it's better than nothing...

[becca]

At our elementary school, a note has gone home at th ebeginning of the year, requesting that no peanut or nut containing snacks be sent in for snacks in the classroom.  each child brings their own snack, and it went pretty well, AFAIK.  Dd had not had any reactions.  But, she also had egg allergy, and there were egg snacks that came into parties(baked items).  We just always had safe treats in the classroom for parties, etc... 

However, my ds has no allergies.  Last year, we missed the first few days of school, and I never got a note home.  I felt terrible when I discovered there was a PA kid in his class.  I had sent in protein bars with ds on several occasions.  I do not get PB flavor ones, but they did contain peanut flour or nut warnings.  They are something I use for ds on rare occasions, and generally not around dd.  Once I knew of the allergy, I never did it again.  But just pointing out these mistakes can happen, especially if I, a PA parent made it!  When ds was at this boy's lunch table, we would get a new note.  A fresh reminder. 

So, maybe ask how they ensure the policy, and when or fi reminders go out periodically throughout the year.  Dd has never had a reaction at school.  Kids do eat PB in the cafeteria, and in 5th and 6th grade, they were allowed to have it in the classroom snacks.