Sample Letters to use at School and Other Centres
The following are taken from the Appendix of "Anaphylaxis: A Handbook for School Boards, Health Canada".
The Handbook can be ordered for $10 from the Canadian School Boards Association,
130 Slater Street, Suite 350, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6E2.
Telephone (613) 235-3724 ........... Fax (613) 238-8434.
Email admin@CdnSBA.org
(It's a good idea to consider including all nuts as well as peanuts, since most nuts are processed with peanuts and therefore cross-contaminated. I would also include a phone number to call for more information.)
Sample Letter to Parents (1)
Dear Parent:
I am writing to you on behalf of our student (name of student) and his parent(s). (name of student) is (age of student) old in (name of teacher) Grade (level) class. He has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and all types of nuts. If peanut butter or even the tiniest amount of peanut or any type of nut enters his body (through his eyes, nose or mouth), he experiences very strong reactions. His face swells and he breaks out in hives, his throat swells and tightens. Without immediate medical treatment he could die within minutes.
After discussions with school staff and other knowledgeable parties in the medical community, it has been suggested that the best way to provide a safe environment for (name student) would be to enlist the support of the grade (level) parents to help make his classroom a "peanut- and nut-free environment." This means that each child entering this grade is asked to bring snacks and lunches free of any peanuts or nuts. Though it sounds simple, it means no peanut butter sandwiches or peanut butter cookies. It means you should read the labels of other foods like muffins, granola bars and cereals before you put them in your child's snack. Our concern is for foods where peanuts or nuts might be a "hidden" ingredient, and where cross-contamination may occur.
I realize this request poses an inconvenience for you when packing your child's snack and lunch; however, I wish to express sincere appreciation for your support and understanding of this potentially life-threatening allergy. In the very near future the school will announce a parent meeting for you to become acquainted with this situation. Literature will be provided suggesting healthy and nutritional alternatives to peanuts, nuts and their by-products.
Sincerely,
(Principal)
Sample Letter to Parents (2)
Dear Parent:
I am writing to you on behalf of our student (name of student) and his parent(s). (name of student) is (age of student) old in (name of teacher) Grade (level) class. He has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and all types of nuts. If peanut butter or even the tiniest amount of peanut or any type of nut enters his body (through his eyes, nose or mouth), he experiences very strong reactions. His face swells and he breaks out in hives, his throat swells and tightens. Without immediate medical treatment he could die within minutes.
After discussions with school staff and other knowledgeable parties in the medical community, it has been suggested that the best way to provide a safe environment for (name student) would be to enlist the support of the grade (level) parents to help make his classroom a "peanut- and nut-free environment." This means that each child entering this grade is asked to bring snacks and lunches free of any peanuts or nuts. Though it sounds simple, it means no peanut butter sandwiches or peanut butter cookies. It means you should read the labels of other foods like muffins, granola bars and cereals before you put them in your child's snack. Our concern is for foods where peanuts or nuts might be a "hidden" ingredient, and where cross-contamination may occur.
I realize this request poses an inconvenience for you when packing your child's snack and lunch; however, I wish to express sincere appreciation for your support and understanding of this potentially life-threatening allergy. In the very near future the school will announce a parent meeting for you to become acquainted with this situation. Literature will be provided suggesting healthy and nutritional alternatives to peanuts, nuts and their by-products.
Sincerely,
(Principal)
Sample Letter to Parents (3)
Dear Parents of Pupils in Grade ____:
As many of you know, a child in our grade ___ class has extreme allergies to peanuts. This includes any food that has peanuts or peanut oil or peanut flour in it. The allergy of the child is so severe that it could be life-threatening; he/she may have a reaction if an item containing peanuts is even in their proximity.
All our staff have been made aware of this situation have been instructed in the correct procedures regarding anaphylactic shock by the school nurse. Prevention, of course, is the best approach and, therefore, we are requesting your cooperation in refraining from sending these food products to school with your child. We have told the other children of the problem and asked them not to share recess snacks or treats.
We endeavour to make the school a safe environment for all students.
Thank you for your assistance.
(Teacher)
Sample Letter to Parents (4)
Dear Parents:
RE: Medical Danger
One of our (state grade level) students has a life-threatening allergy to all nuts. The only way to ensure a safe environment for this child is to try to make our classroom NUT-FREE. To do this we need everyone's cooperation.
Please check the ingredients of all foods your children bring to school. Coconut is not a nut and does not pose any risk.
In a classroom setting, cross-contamination is the greatest risk from this type of allergy. Cross-contamination occurs when a few crumbs from one child's snack are dropped and then picked up by an allergic chid. A small amount can kill.
It is difficult at the best of times to get children to each healthy snacks, however, I hope you will appreciate the seriousness of his condition and that you will assist us at the school in our efforts to create as safe an environment as possible. With your co-operation we can minimize the risk of an allergic reaction.
Anyone wishing further information about this type of allergy may contact the child's parents. There is also an information package available at the school.
Yours sincerely,
(Teacher)
Sample letter 6
Date
Dear Parents:
We have (two) children in our school who have a severe peanut allergy. We are making every effort to ensure that their safety and health are not jeopardized.
As a staff, we are becoming more familiar with putting in place effective strategies to address the children's needs in the classroom, on field trips and in the lunchroom.
Through a co-operative effort and with caring about each other we will be able to ensure a safe learning environment for our (two) students with peanut allergies by reducing the amount of peanut content food, washing our hands and lips after eating peanut butter or products with peanuts.
To help you gain a better understanding about what this means to families with peanut allergies and to families who will be in the same environment as students with peanut allergies, we are including an information sheet called "What is Peanut Free." We ask that parents find the time to read this sheet. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Sincerely,
(Principal)
Sample Newsletter #1
We felt that all parents would like to be aware that there is a child (or several children) in our school with a severe life-threatening food allergy to peanuts and nuts (anaphylaxis). This is a medical condition that causes a severe reaction to specific foods and can result in death within minutes. Although this may or may not affect your child's class directly, we want to inform you so that you may choose to send foods with your child to school that are free from peanuts or nut products. There will be more information about anaphylaxis at our Meet the Teacher Night. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.Sample Newsletter #2
Many children have allergies. A few, however, are life-threatening. Some children for example, are severly allergic to peanut butter. Even a tiny bit can be fatal within minutes.
Nuts, shellfish, fish, eggs and milk are also known to cause severe reactions. Knowing that your child has allergies and knowing how to deal with them is your best defence.
If your child is allergic to peanuts or peanut products, please tell us. With your help, we will do our best to prevent mishaps and to make sure that all of our students are safe, healthy, and able to concentrate on learning.
If you would like further information about our policies and practices, please call the school.