Allergy Awareness Committee

Welcome to the Tuckahoe Food Allergy page. This page houses information relevant to food allergies and wellness, as well as provides tips on safe snacks and alternative birthday celebration ideas for families of children without food allergies.

Tuckahoe Food Allergy Policy 

The Tuckahoe policy regarding food in the classroom was recently updated. The complete letter is available here. Read below for a summary of the changes.

As Tuckahoe looks to incorporate the APS adopted Guidelines for Celebrations and Rewards, we certainly want to be cognizant of students’ health and safety, while not completely eliminating many of Tuckahoe’s time-honored traditions. As such, we will begin adhering to the following as updated school policies:

• We are going to begin celebrating birthdays without food. Staff is working on compiling suggested ideas for alternate ways to honor students’ birthdays that celebrate these milestones while not significantly impacting instructional time.
  
  
• Classrooms with students with peanut allergies will continue to be nut-free, and teachers will inform parents, particularly with regard to snacks.
  
  
• “Big event” classroom parties (Halloween, Winter, End-of-Year, etc.) may take place. However, it is to be the teachers who determine what food will be included and parents informed so that they can plan accordingly.
  
  
• Healthy choices (fruit, veggies) will be offered as an option at all parties and sugary treats limited.
  
  
• In the cafeteria, students at the nut-free table may invite a friend, only so they don’t eat alone.When multiple students at a grade level sit at this table, it is not necessary nor feasible to accommodate each student also inviting a friend.
  
  
• When lunch must be in the classrooms, teams will have determined how to separate those who have nut items from those who must be nut-free, and desks will be wiped down following lunch.
  
  
• Greater emphasis will be given to washing hands before and after lunch.
  
  
• Food will not be used as a reward for classroom behaviors.

 
Allergy Awareness Information & Resources

Use the links below to find snack ideas for your students, forms to ensure the school is aware of your child’s allergies, and tips for schools on keeping kids with allergies safe.

Snack Guides

• Snack Safely Guide (lists allergy friendly products)
  
  
• New Snack Guide
  
  
• Suggested Alternative Celebration Activities/Ideas

Forms & School Resources

• Tools for schools (which also includes the snack list for the top 8 allergens)
  
  

• Sample Letters (for teachers and schools to use for communication)
  
  
• Food Allergy Forms (for the school)
  
  
• Food Allergy Roles & Responsibilities 

General Allergy Awareness Information

• Food Allergy FAQs
  
  

• Epi-pen Shortage Info