Friday, September 7, 2007

School Peanut Restrictions

St. Joseph Catholic School in Shreveport sent a letter home to parents discussing restrictions on peanut-laced foods. St. Joseph School Council Chairwoman Theresa Murphy explains the letter was sent to protect children who are deathly allergic to peanuts until a policy can be formalized. Her e-mail to me explains they'll finalize details during their monthly board meeting Sept. 18.

This piqued my interest because I am the father of a child with a peanut allergy. Going back to school raises fears because one missed peanut is a sure trip to the hospital. Our doctor explains that minutes matter, don't delay. It is a life-changing experience to witness a child going through a peanut reaction and shock.
Several schools in our community have set up areas where children with allergies can sit away from the general population. Others closely monitor lunches and desk pairings to mitigate risks. Most public schools simply don't offer the products.
This move by St. Joseph Catholic School is getting some impassioned response from both sides at the school.
Some may see it as an annoying inconvenience (and absurd) to create a policy protecting the few, but consider the leadership and lessons demonstrated. Should we sacrifice a convenience (or pleasure) for the good of a few? Should a majority ever be asked to sacrifice for a minority?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you know most allergies in children are caused by vaccinations?

Anonymous said...

Eventually people will figure out that home-schooling may eliminate all their problems with either public or private schools.

Anonymous said...

yeah, then they will just have to deal with the problems of home schooling.