Plan, Promote
and Persevere
TEXT RACHEL ORNSTEIN PACKER
It’s that time of year again where you’re either breathing a sigh of
relief, bemoaning the end of summer, or both. Regardless, back
to school requires preparation, especially if you’re a food allergy
parent. Food allergies can be very daunting, especially when you have
no daily control over your child’s environment. This is where
the three P’s: Plan, Promote and Persevere, are integral to your
child’s safety and your piece of mind. Many of these tips are best
done prior to the beginning of the school year, so it is still early
enough in the season to review this list, take action and cover all
your bases.

PLAN 1. Schedule an appointment with your allergist, preferably
before school. Make sure all health papers are in
order, such as the Emergency Action Plan and Medical
Authorization Form. Develop an emergency plan with your
doctor to present to the school nurse.

2. Write an introductory note to the principal and teacher.

Tell them about your child and his or her needs. Open
communication is fundamental to your child’s safety.

3. Introduce or re-establish your connection to the school
nurse. Discuss your child’s emergency plan.

4. Get a prescription for extra Epi-Pens (check to see if your
insurance allows it). You will need one for the school nurse,
for your home and don’t forget about any after-school
activities where food may be involved (i.e. religious school,
clubs, day care, babysitters, etc.).

5. Speak directly with the teacher regarding birthday parties
and other food occasions. Ask for advance notice of
birthdays, so you can provide a safe alternative for your
child that day. Keep a bag of treats (with an adequate
shelf life) for the teacher to use in a pinch in the event that
someone brings in something unexpectedly.

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6.

7. 8.

Depending on the particular
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHECKLIST
allergy, it is usually easier and
Since elementary and middle school
safer to supply your child’s lunch.

have different structures, the checklist
Ingredients and cafeteria products
is a bit modified. If you have a 504 plan,
may change, and you cannot
many of the tips below have probably
oversee preparation. It is far
been taken into account, but if you
better (and probably healthier) to
don’t, you can still develop a plan with
provide your own.

the school administration.

Make sure your child’s lunchbox
1. However, more likely, your child
her name on the front. You may
will be a self- carrier. Make sure
want to put a fun, colorful type
he or she knows how to use their
of luggage tag on the handle to
Epi-pen and has it with them,
differentiate it from other kids’
especially during lunchtime and
lunchboxes. A case of mistaken
after-school activities. Provide
identity could be dangerous.

the nurse with an Epi-Pen as
well, along with the appropriate
Introduce yourself to the cafeteria
paperwork. director and the lunch aides (this
applies to elementary school
9. Planning tips 1-3 still apply.

is clearly labeled with his or
2. School trips and outdoor activities
specifically) and point out your
are all important social and
child so they are on the radar
educational facets of middle
during lunchtime. Check in with
school. It is essential to have the
them periodically. If your child
appropriate conversations with
needs a peanut-free table, make
administration on food allergy
sure you can identify one.

safety regarding these events.

If possible, volunteer to be a room
3. Teenagers and young adults are
parent. This keeps you on top of
at the highest risk of fatal food-
what goes on in the classroom,
induced anaphylaxis, which is
especially during parties and
why communication with your
holidays. child is so important during these
PROMOTE 10. Finally, teaching your child to
advocate for themselves, no
matter how young, is crucial to
his or her success. Stress the no-
volatile years. Your child will be
curious about testing out their
independence — make sure that
food curiosity is not part of their
plan. share rule and teach them how to
use their Epi-Pen whether they
self-carry or not. Assure them
Rachel Ornstein
there is a plan in place to keep
Packer holds an
them safe. This reduces their
MSW from Yeshiva
anxiety and yours.

University and
PERSEVERE is certified with
Keep calm and persevere on!
Precision Nutrition
Unfortunately, our job as food allergy
in exercise
parents is never done, even if you have
nutrition/nutrition a 504 plan. Staying on top of these
consulting. She
procedures is paramount. It’s always
is a freelance writer specializing in food
best to check in every few weeks with
allergies, diet and nutrition. Her debut
the teacher, nurse and/or principal
children’s picture book, Sky-High Sukkah,
regarding concerns, questions or
was just released. She can be contacted at
updates regarding your child’s allergies.

rkpacker@verizon.net.

Make these for the lunchbox on the
first day of school. They look amazing,
taste great, boast a nutritional punch
AND have far less sugar than the average
cookie. And as a bonus, they don’t
require a mixer. For more information
on this recipe and others, visit
www.lifeisgoodlickthebowl.blogspot.com. INGREDIENTS
• 2/3 cup less 1 tablespoon canola oil (I
use organic.)
• 1/3 cup *sucanat plus 1 tablespoon
white sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla
• 1 ¼ organic whole-wheat pastry
flour (I use Arrowhead Mills brand.

Unbleached is fine in a pinch, but
lacks the nutrition).

• ½ cup less 1 tablespoon cup
unbleached white flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup chocolate chunks (I use Enjoy
Life brand.)
• ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line
two baking sheets with parchment
paper. In a medium bowl combine all
the dry ingredients with a wire whisk.

In a large bowl combine the oil, sugars,
applesauce and vanilla. Whisk briskly
until the oil and all the ingredients
come together. It should be the color of
caramel. 2. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture
and stir until combined. If the dough is
too sticky, add a bit more flour but not
too much. Stir in the chocolate chips
(sometimes I use my hands, especially
if I add more chunks) to incorporate the
chips evenly throughout.

3. Using a cookie scooper, place the batter
on the baking sheets and slightly press
into a circle with your fingers. Bake
from 12-15 minutes (12 minutes if you
like them soft, 14-15 for really crunchy).

Cool completely on wire rack.

*Sucanat is whole cane sugar. It has a slower
releasing affect on blood sugar and its nutritional
value is ranked highest in the sugar kingdom
because of its molasses retention, which makes
it a source of minerals and vitamin B6.

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