Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/812811
for the student. We will provide substitute meals when needed. Our department can provide for gluten-free, dair y-free and peanut-free, etc. Portola Elementary has a peanut-free table." Conger and other staff have received training for EpiPens. She believes it would also be a good idea for all staff and students to learn more about what they can do to keep students safe through prevention, and understand why it's so important for every- one to be on board. "Knowledge is key to everything, includ- ing safety. For me, there's nothing more important than kids' safety." BE Y O N D A P E AN U T- F R EE TABL E Fourth-grader Madeline Wong and her sis- ter Delaney in kindergarten don't have to sit at a special table during lunchtime at Arroyo Vista Elementary School in South Pasadena . Th e entire scho ol has b een declared peanut-free to accommodate them and others with peanut allergies. "is is a school that really cares about everybody," says Madeline. "I think being in a school that's peanut-free is easier and nobody has to worry." It's unknown how many schools have gone this route, but Arroyo Vista staf f believe it is a safer and less confusing than having peanut-free tables. At least 20 stu- dents have food allergies throughout all grade levels. In 2004 a student suffered a serious aller- gic reaction at the school and died despite the efforts of school staff to save her. It was never determined which food caused ana- phylaxis or how exposure occurred. After the tragedy, Arroyo Vista became pea- nut-free and received nationwide attention for making the switch. " It 's not a p er fect syst em ," says kin- d e r g a r t e n t e a c h e r L a u r a I s h i b a s h i . "But it's the best we can do. Sometimes kindergartners will have something ques- tionable in their lunch and ask, 'Is this OK?' They can't read the package them- selves, but they are diligent." EpiPens accompany students on field trips, and destinations are ch ecked in a dvan c e to m ake sure n o b o dy w i l l b e e xp o s ed to al l ergen s . St af f h av e b e en trained in EpiPen use. Chocolate candy is not allowed on campus, just to be safe. B u t a c c o m m o d a t i n g t h e n e e d s o f students with peanut allergies is about more than safety, say Teachers Associa- tion of South Pasadena members on-site. I t 's a l s o a b o u t b e i n g i n c l u s i v e a n d Our students here are learning tolerance, empathy and compassion. The most important thing is that other kids feel comfortable and safe." — JULIA JOHNSON, Teachers Association of South Pasadena Students eat lunch at Arroyo Vista Elementary School. Chesnie Henry and Nai Mani Turay- Bennett eat with Camille Pyska at the peanut-free table in Cobb's cafeteria. 20 cta.org FEATURE