This week, parents of non-allergic children, picketed outside Edgewater Elementary school in Florida to protest the school's policies regarding a peanut allergic child. A first grader at this school has a severe peanut allergy that the school has accommodated by requiring her classmates to wash their hands and rinse their mouths before entering the classroom. This is happening twice a day, in the morning and after lunch.
Parents are complaining that the requirements currently in place are taking time away from academics. It has been reported that the washing is taking about 30 minutes a day. Snacks are not allowed in the classroom and classroom parties with treats have been halted. Additionally, they have a peanut sniffing dog that will go through the school prior to Spring Break.
See full details at Click Orlando here.
This first grader is reportedly not the only child with severe food allergies at this school. However, it seems to be only her classroom that is having the additional restrictions that are leading to the protests. Has the school and the requests of this girl's parents gone too far? How does this child deal with the lunch room where peanuts are allowed?
Regardless of whether you feel that the policies are appropriate or not, was the correct answer to picket the school? I say a resounding, NO! This is a first grader. Not only does she most likely deal with classmates that are voicing the opinions of their parents to this child, but she now also must deal with parents shouting about her situation before she even enters school. Isn't this a form of bullying? The President is cracking down on bullying this week with his call for anti-bullying measures to be taken. Shouldn't this apply to anyone at the school, even parents?
Many food allergic individuals and parents of food allergic children have voiced their opinions on this case this week. I still would love to hear from them in the comments section below. However, I am also very interested in hearing what non-allergic people have to say about this situation. Is the picketing fair? Do the restrictions sound reasonable given the seriousness of the girls allergy? What do you think? Sound off below!
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