Dear Parents, 

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, “Preparing children to start a new school year can be exciting.  However, for parents of children with food allergies, that excitement is often replaced by anxiety.  An estimated 7% of children—or up to 2 million—have food allergies and are at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis” sometimes called “allergic shock” or “generalized allergic reaction.”  This reaction can develop within seconds of exposure from ingestion or physical contact.  

Serving the common peanut butter sandwich on the lunch line has become the center of debate in many schools because most of the severe reactions were the result of anaphylaxis from allergy to peanuts and peanut products. Some of these products that may be included in cookies, cake, bread, or candy include peanuts, peanut oil, or peanut butter. 

Fifty per cent of the schools in the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa have policies that do not offer any form of peanuts in the cafeteria line.  Some of them prohibit children from bringing peanuts or peanut butter in lunches from home; others reserve a table in their cafeteria for children who bring their lunch because even the physical exposure of peanuts or peanut products can result in anaphylaxis in some children. 

St. Joseph Catholic School cafeteria has not served any form of peanuts on the line since the 2004-05 school year.  While we cannot force any family to refrain from sending items containing peanut products, we respectfully ask that you don’t.  A table is available for students who bring their lunch in order to protect allergic students.  The student body will be educated about the policy and the severity of the allergy.  Information is also available in the office for parents who are interested. 

I further ask that you remember the policy when sending treats to the class and refrain from sending treats with any peanut products.  I appreciate your support of the new policy and ask that you continue to pray for the safety of all of the children at the school.

In Christ’s name,

Dan Hattaway, Principal