Weston School Committee Approves Food Allergy Policy

The Weston School Committee voted unanimously to approve a food allergy policy at its June 18 meeting, however officials noted that the lengthier guidelines associated with the policy would be a work in progress.

The policy includes providing education to school personnel on food allergies and signs of allergic reactions, developing health care plans for students with food allergies, prohibiting food rewards given during the school day, and requiring two-week prior notification and approval for field trips or curriculum involving food.

“We think the policy is sound,” said Superintendent Cheryl Maloney at Monday night’s meeting at the Case House.

A first reading of a draft of the policy was completed at the June 4 School Committee meeting.

Associated with the policy are food allergy guidelines — one set for elementary schools and one set for the middle and high schools —  which provide more details, like no peanut butter or nuts in cafeterias and no food in the classrooms. Maloney noted those guidelines can be tweaked going forward.

Feedback on the policy and guidelines, from staff and parents, included that two-week prior notice for food as part of the curriculum is too restrictive, and concern that teachers who eat lunch while giving extra help to students would no longer be able to do so, Maloney said.

Others also noted they were displeased with a ban on peanut butter and not being allowed to hold bake sales during school or within 30 minutes before or after school, Maloney said.

Maloney also noted that some special education instructors use food rewards as part of their programs, and said doing so would not be eliminated.

“That is tied enough into the curriculum that it would not be outlawed by this,” Maloney said.

One parent spoke at the meeting about making sure student-athletes are able to have access to food before and after practices or games.

Maloney said the high school cafeteria is open for kids to grab a snack at the end of the school day, and doing the same thing at the middle school is being explored.

School Committee Member Rosemary Tomaso noted that students with peanut allergies should be monitored to ensure they sit at peanut-free tables during lunch.

Sanjay Saini, a School Committee member, also noted, “it seems to me these are life-threatening safety concerns and we don’t have a choice.”

The committee voted unanimously to implement the food allergy policy, and said the guidelines would continue to be explored.

“We will work on the guidelines,” Maloney said.

More information on the food allergy policy and guidelines is available on the Weston Public Schools website.