1. NUT ALLERGY POLICY
Temple Emanu-El is a NUT SENSITIVE Nursery School. Below are the guidelines we use to keep children with allergies safe. Our philosophy
and policies are in line with those of The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, the largest nationally recognized advocacy and education
organization working in the area of food allergies. Additionally, the NYC Department of Education specifically has NOT adopted a peanut-free
approach. The reasons behind this thinking are the following:
• It is neither practical nor possible to guarantee a nut-free school environment and therefore this should not be a goal of a school
prevention strategy.
• Many goods contain nut allergens as hidden or accidentally introduced ingredients during production.
• Only the top eight allergens are required to be listed on food labels.
• There is no legal requirement that food labels contain information about possible cross contamination during production.
• Foods brought in from home (whether packaged or “homemade”) cannot be monitored as to the ingredients.
In our school, individualized health plans and protocols are developed for those children with potentially severe allergies. These plans take into
account the age of the child as well as any medical issues, the nature of the allergy and the classroom setting. Each student’s plan is developed
with the school director, teachers, and parents before school begins.
FOOD ALLERGIES POLICY (including nuts)
As the number of children with peanut allergies has increased, it has become necessary for us to expand our Allergy Policy. We feel the
following procedures are necessary to ensure the safety of children with allergies:
• Peanut butter sandwiches may not be brought to school for lunch
• Candy may not be given out at classroom parties, included in school lunches or put into “goody” bags or holiday cards
distributed at school
• Food may not be given out or eaten in the hallways or lobby of the Nursery School building. This includes challah placed in
your child’s cubby on Fridays.
2. IF YOUR CHILD HAS FOOD ALLERGIES YOU NEED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1. The parent must provide a tin of “safe snacks” (brought from home) clearly labeled with your child’s name to be kept in the
classroom. Parents must check periodically to make sure there are sufficient snacks on hand. It is the teachers’ responsibil ity to
make sure that your child eats snacks from this container.
2. “Safe cupcakes” must be sent from home for your child to eat at all birthday parties. It is the teachers’ responsibility to make
sure that your child only eats his/her special snack/cupcake at all in-school birthday celebrations. You may keep a supply “on
hand” in our freezer for such occasions.
3. “Safe challah” must be sent from home for your child to eat on Fridays at Shabbat. It is the teachers’ responsibility to make sure
that your child only eats his/her special challah on Fridays. Please note that the challah provided by the Nursery School is
manufactured in a bakery that produces nut breads.
4. We must have 3 sets of Epi-pens, Benadryl and instructions (including the pediatrician’s name and phone number). Please
place each set in a plastic bag, tin, or zippered pouch, with your child’s name CLEARLY displayed on the outside. PLEASE
BRING ALL 3 SETS TO THE NURSERY SCHOOL OFFICE. The teachers will make sure the “kit” is available in the
classroom, on the seventh floor playground, and in Blumenthal playroom.
5. Forms giving permission to administer medication must be on file. Please make an appointment with Mrs. Davis to take
care of this before school begins.
Our goal is to keep all of our children safe. We appreciate your cooperation.
FOOD ALLERGIES AND OUR COOKING PROGRAM
The parents of children who have allergies must approve the recipe used prior to cooking class. If the recipe is approved, th e child
will cook with the class but must eat his/her own snack brought from home.
FOODS THAT CAUSE CHOKING IN YOUNG CHILDREN
Grapes, hotdogs, and popcorn can become lodged in the wind pipes of small children. Please cut hot dogs and grapes into tiny
pieces. Please eliminate popcorn from your child’s lunch or as a snack brought in to share with the class.
