Nut-Free Table Guidelines

Elementary Nut-Free Table Guidelines

Like all schools across the nation, Neshannock Township School District has several students with life threatening food allergies.  A nut-free table is available in the cafeteria to these students if the child’s parent(s) designate this on the optional accommodation form.  Please contact the school nurse if you wish to select this as an option for your child.

With the start of every school year, various questions often arise.  In order to best ensure the safety of all students, we have provided some clarification below to a couple of our most frequently asked questions:

My child does not have a food allergy; however, he/she would like to sit with a friend who needs to be seated at the nut-free table. What can I do so my child can sit with his/her friend at the nut-free table?

Your child may sit at the nut-free table with prior permission as long as:

  1. A school lunch has been purchased. With the exception of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, all school lunches are nut-free.
  2. A packed lunch includes individually packaged items labeled with ingredient information with the exception of fresh fruit and/or vegetables.

Items with nut products listed as ingredients are not permitted at the nut-free table as well as items with “processed on shared equipment” or “cross contamination” warnings.

My child has a life threatening food allergy. What can I do to keep my child safe during lunch and/or snack times at school?

Our school district takes food allergies very seriously.  Student safety is our number one priority, and we go to great lengths to proactively identify and prevent any potentially harmful situations.  On the same token, we strongly encourage parents of students with life threatening food allergies to teach their children to be self-advocates.  On a regular basis, please remind your child of the following:

  1. Never eat food from someone else’s lunch or snack.
  2. Ask for help if you are unsure if a food is safe to eat.
  3. Report any problems or concerns with cafeteria seating and/or safety to the lunchroom monitor or any adult present.
  4. If you think you’ve come in contact with an allergen, tell the nearest adult so the nurse can be contacted immediately.

As always, thank you for your continued support and commitment to keeping our students safe.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me at your earliest convenience.  A safe school is a great school!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Heather Collins MSN, RN, CSN

Certified School Nurse

Effective, 9/01/2016