school HSA selling peanuts in school .

[williamsmummy]

I am feeling a bit tired, and wonder if its really worth asking for the peanuts to be removed?

during the school play( evening performance) the home school assosiation , sells wine, crisps, and bags of peanuts to the audiance. As well as drinks and biscuits for the performers.

I was feeling a little miffed because the hall is where the children eat their lunch. Parents are asked not to put peanut butter in to lunch boxes or peanut products.( Which is not something I, personaly have asked for,BTW) but the school prefers it due to the increasing number of allergic children.
The local county school meals also have removed all nuts/traces from their range.

So, selling peanuts IMO was not very supportive of the school.
I am fully aware that the risk of cross contamination is low, but feel that for the young allergic children in school this was a risk that was easily avoided.

So , what would you do? how do you feel about this?

sarah

that should not be aloud i would talk to the school

Legally they are on a sticky wicket! If anyone suffered anaphylaxis and they are aware that that person was at risk they would be sued big time. Perhaps someone who has no anaphylactic kids should point this out - give them food for though (Nut free of course!)

I have had a word with the deputy head about this situation, once i had found a near empty packet of peanuts tossed aside in the school hall.

Was not impressed with HSA who should be more aware about this situation.

what did the head say?

Hi I am a vice chair of a local school in my area. I actually have a child who has a severe peanut allergy & he used to attend the school where I am on the Hsa, so they obviously are aware of peanut allergies etc & the seriousness of such an allergy. I know that the parents/teachers where I am on the Hsa would not consider having peanuts at any event organised, not just becasue I am on the Hsa & because my son has the allergy but because they know the risks & seriouness of it. However, in saying that I have known there to be times where cakes have been brought in to school by parents for fairs etc that are made with peanuts & have commented time & time again about making it clear that if anyone sends cakes/biscuits in made from peanuts or such like to make it clear what it is on a label but I will now make a point in asking for newsletters to tell parents not to send cakes/biscuits in made from peanuts. I would approached the headteacher & chairperson of the Hsa, or ask to meet with them both & discuss your concerns with them. It may be that they are not clued up on the subject & need some educating. But I would have thought that most schools have a child with such allergy/ies & cant believe that they feel the need to have peanuts at events like this. We usuaally(depending on the event) have biscuits or little apple pies/mince pies etc. Surely they canput out chedders or such like! (shock) I do not need to tell you that they do not need peanuts their, because you already know that. But I do think you need to approach them about this.

It sounds to me as if the school is doing all the right things re asking parents not to send their kids in to school with peanut butter etc (which s brilliant as my ds school does not do this) but then I can not understand why the hsa have got away with it as we (headteacher,teachers & parents) all work together in our hsa. This is what a hsa is. ANd surely the head teacher would be aware of what is being given or sold at these events. So I am baffeld that the deputy head is not aware of this. Hope you get it sorted Sarah.