Food Ingredient Verification for Allergy Aware Classrooms

2017/2018 

ALLERGY AWARE CLASSROOMS
Frequently Asked Questions

What is an allergy aware classroom?

In this classroom there are students who have one or more food allergies.  The goals of the allergy aware classroom are to make everyone (students, parents and staff) aware of the allergies and to work together to limit the student's exposure to possible allergens.  All students are taught the following:

• We will wash our hands.
• We will not share food.
• We will clean our tables

If my child's classmate is allergic to peanuts, can my child eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the classroom?
Yes,  your child may eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the classroom as long as they follow the 3 safety rules (no sharing of food, must wash hands after eating, table must be cleaned after eating).

What about birthdays and celebrations?
For these occasions, all shared treats must be safe for all students to eat.  
Check with me at least 48 hours before the party so I can verify the safety of the treat.  You can send in a copy of the ingredients with your child, or email me a picture of the ingredients.


Which classrooms are "allergy aware classrooms" this year?

• Mrs. Anderson - no peanuts, tree nuts or eggs*
• *eggs are okay if ingredient in baked goods
• Ms. Collins -  no peanuts, tree nuts or eggs * 
• *eggs are okay if ingredient in baked goods
• Mrs. Mulcahy - no peanuts or tree nuts
• Miss Ransom - no peanuts or tree nuts

Contact me if you have any questions.  Thank you in advance for keeping all students safe.

UMS Field Day: Sun and Heat Safety

It is finally starting to feel like summer and UMS Field Day is happening soon.  Your child will participate in many fun activities and there is not a lot of shade at Airport Park.

Follow these tips to help prevent sunburn and heat related illness.

Sun Safety

• Apply sunscreen before your child comes to school.  Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2-3 hours.  Send sunscreen with your child and show him or her how to use it
• Children should wear a hat and light colored clothing.  
• Send sunglasses if your child has them.

Heat Safety

• Hydration, hydration, hydration!  This is the number one way to prevent heat related illness.
• Your child must bring a water bottle to Field Day.  Encourage your child to drink often.

For more information about sunscreen and sun safety, click here Sun Safety

To learn more about heat safety, click here heat related illnesses

Skin Irritation from Gypsy Moth Caterpillars

Spring has sprung and gypsy moth caterpillars are active.  It is predicted to be a bad year for this invasive pest. The gypsy moth caterpillar is not a fussy eater. It has a preference for leaves of deciduous hardwood trees such as maple, elm, and oak.  However, during heavy infestations, competition for food will drive the caterpillar to attack almost any tree or shrub.

Most problems from caterpillar exposures are due to tiny hairs (setae) or actual spines on a caterpillar's body. Some cause allergic reactions. To learn about how to best remove these tiny hairs and to treat a reaction, open this link:  

Caterpillars and Treatment of Stings

Bicycle Safety

Spring is a great time to learn to ride a bike or improve your skills.
Here is a link to information about bike safety and how a bicycle works.
Have a safe and happy ride.

Bike Safety 101 - A Guide For Parents

Be Tick Smart

Spring is finally here. Flowers are starting to bloom and ticks are active.
The tick in the picture on the right, was removed from a UMS student before the April break.

Tick information materials have been ordered from the Vermont Department of Health. I will send home these cards and booklets as soon as they are available.

Here is a link to resources about ticks and tick borne diseases:  Information about Ticks

Ventolin (Albuterol) HFA Inhaler Recall

GlaxoSmithKline has issued a voluntary recall for some Ventolin (albuterol) HFA inhalers as a precaution.  Due to leaking, the inhaler may contain fewer doses than is indicated on the dose counter.

The three lots affected are:

• 6ZP0003     
• 6ZP9944
• 6ZP9848

For specific information about what to do if your child's inhaler is part of the recall, click on this link from the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America).
GSK voluntary recall of ventolin (albuterol) HFA inhalers

If your child has this brand inhaler at school, I will check the lot number and notify you if it is part of the recall.

Recall of Epi-Pens in United States

The latest recall by Mylan includes Epi-Pens distributed in the United States.

Please check any Epi-Pens you have at home.  I will check all Epi-Pens at school and notify you if your child's Epi-Pen is affected by this recall.

See the link for specific information about the lot numbers and expiration dates.

Recall of Epi-Pens in US