Classroom Tips
NEW INFO: The Town of Brookline has developed a Wellness Committee in an effort to foster a culture of moderation, increase health awareness, and promote a healthy school environment for all. Recognizing the direct relationship between student well-being and student achievement, they have been working closely with the Superintendent to implement a set of Nutritional Guidelines for all of Brookline's public schools in the areas of physical activity and nutrition.
These Nutritional Guidelines state that all foods and beverages made available during the school day—whether they be for lunch, part of school-sponsored fundraising activities, or refreshments served at parties—should maximize nutritional value by decreasing fat and added sugars while increasing nutrient density. To put it simply, our schools should be a place where healthy eating is encouraged and promoted.
In regard to food allergies, the Committee Guidelines stress that food items may no longer be brought in for birthday celebrations. Parents are encouraged to bring non-food treats such as can be found at iParty or Oriental Trading. If you are concerned about food being brought in unannounced to your child's classroom, know that the Town supports your concerns.
Children, particularly young children, may have different ways of expressing themselves and possible allergic reactions. Click here to see a list of words a child might use to describe a reaction.
Provide your teacher with a bag of safe snacks for your child. In case she forgets her snack or lunch, or in case there’s some sort of class event with food.
For my daughter’s kindergarten class, I provide wipes for the kids to use after eating their snack. It helps reduce the chances of any potential allergen spreading over all the objects in the room.
Every couple of months I give our teacher a non-allergenic all-purpose cleaner and paper towels so that the tables can be kept clean.
I provide my son’s cafeteria aide wipes for cleaning down his table before he sits down to eat (I prefer the fragrance-free Method brand wipes found at Target.).
I visit my son’s classroom as a Special Guest at the beginning of the year and read a book on food allergies. Allie the Allergic Elephant or No Lobster, Please! are good examples. It helps introduce his classmates to food allergies.
On the very first day of school, my son’s teacher introduced the children to food allergies, saying that she herself had one. Some other children, it turns out, had food allergies and environmental allergies as well. It was a great morning: everyone was talking about what allergies are, and all the children were very comfortable discussing it.
At the beginning of each year, I give my son’s teacher a batch of cupcakes to freeze. Whenever there’s a birthday party with cake, my son can join in with a safe snack to eat.
My daughter’s class now offers popsicles for birthdays. All the kids seem to love it! A gift for the classroom (a book, software, etc.) is wrapped and opened with all the children.
I’ve labeled the inside of my son’s lunchbag with stickers that highlight his allergies. It helps remind him what exactly he's allergic to! They’re also good for teacher/nurse folders, etc. Available at Label It or Lose It.
These Nutritional Guidelines state that all foods and beverages made available during the school day—whether they be for lunch, part of school-sponsored fundraising activities, or refreshments served at parties—should maximize nutritional value by decreasing fat and added sugars while increasing nutrient density. To put it simply, our schools should be a place where healthy eating is encouraged and promoted.
In regard to food allergies, the Committee Guidelines stress that food items may no longer be brought in for birthday celebrations. Parents are encouraged to bring non-food treats such as can be found at iParty or Oriental Trading. If you are concerned about food being brought in unannounced to your child's classroom, know that the Town supports your concerns.
Children, particularly young children, may have different ways of expressing themselves and possible allergic reactions. Click here to see a list of words a child might use to describe a reaction.
Provide your teacher with a bag of safe snacks for your child. In case she forgets her snack or lunch, or in case there’s some sort of class event with food.
For my daughter’s kindergarten class, I provide wipes for the kids to use after eating their snack. It helps reduce the chances of any potential allergen spreading over all the objects in the room.
Every couple of months I give our teacher a non-allergenic all-purpose cleaner and paper towels so that the tables can be kept clean.
I provide my son’s cafeteria aide wipes for cleaning down his table before he sits down to eat (I prefer the fragrance-free Method brand wipes found at Target.).
I visit my son’s classroom as a Special Guest at the beginning of the year and read a book on food allergies. Allie the Allergic Elephant or No Lobster, Please! are good examples. It helps introduce his classmates to food allergies.
On the very first day of school, my son’s teacher introduced the children to food allergies, saying that she herself had one. Some other children, it turns out, had food allergies and environmental allergies as well. It was a great morning: everyone was talking about what allergies are, and all the children were very comfortable discussing it.
At the beginning of each year, I give my son’s teacher a batch of cupcakes to freeze. Whenever there’s a birthday party with cake, my son can join in with a safe snack to eat.
My daughter’s class now offers popsicles for birthdays. All the kids seem to love it! A gift for the classroom (a book, software, etc.) is wrapped and opened with all the children.
I’ve labeled the inside of my son’s lunchbag with stickers that highlight his allergies. It helps remind him what exactly he's allergic to! They’re also good for teacher/nurse folders, etc. Available at Label It or Lose It.
Have any advice?
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BROOKLINE FAMILIES with FOOD ALLERGIES
BroFFA.ORG is not a professional organization and does not constitute medical and/or legal advice.
If you have medical issues or questions, speak with a qualified personal physician.
BROOKLINE FAMILIES with FOOD ALLERGIES
BroFFA.ORG is not a professional organization and does not constitute medical and/or legal advice.
If you have medical issues or questions, speak with a qualified personal physician.
