Food Allergy Classroom Information

Dear Parents:

Welcome to the “allergen free” classroom!  You didn’t know Travis Heights Elementary had allergen free classrooms?   I bet you didn’t know they even existed!  Yes, they do, by way of the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy (TPSNP).  While the TPSNP does not restrict what parents are allowed to pack for their children to eat at school, it does allow local schools to tailor their own policies to fit specific circumstances.  Since a significant number of children in this school have food allergies or food intolerances (about one third of the children) allergen-free classrooms were created to protect these children from exposure to the foods that can harm them. 

The food sensitivities include the usual suspect such as peanuts, dairy (milk, eggs), wheat, and gluten. 

What effect will the allergy-free classroom have on you and your child?  

Absolutely no effect whatsoever on what your child brings to lunch. 

As for snacks that are eaten in the classroom, the focus will be on healthy, nutritious, safe-for-everybody, “fill up your body with yummy fiber” BRAIN FOOD. 

What is brain food?  It’s food that makes you smart.   

To feed the brain, the snacks allowed in the classroom include fresh fruits, dried fruits, and fresh vegetables.   For the health and safety of the third of the children who can die if exposed, peanut, tree nut, and wheat products including those found in cereal bars, crackers, pretzels, junk foods (no Cheeto’s, Doritos, Twinkies), cookies, muffins, or cupcakes are allowed as snacks in the classroom.

What does this mean for your child?  Only good things:

•Your child will be exposed to healthy foods that he or she may be reluctant to eat at home.

•Your child will feel fuller, longer.  (Starchy and sugary foods make your child “crash” in short order.  That is not the case with high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables).

•Your child will be calmer at school. *

•You child will eat better at school and thereby be better focused.  Better focus means better learning. 

One further benefit is your child will likely learn empathy: A child with a food allergy or intolerance cannot eat out at restaurants, must bring their own food to birthday parties, and is never completely safe from foods that can harm them. 

A list of allowed foods is found on the next page.  Thank you for keeping all the Travis Heights Elementary children safe, healthy, and alive. 

Thank you.

*See the Study online:  http://www.fabresearch.org/view_item.aspx?item_id=787

Feed Your Brain: Snack Foods that Make You Smart

•Fresh Fruit

oApple slices

oBananas

oGrapes

oOrange slices

o“Cuties” and Mandarin Oranges

oPeaches, Pears

oNectarines,  Pluots,

oBerries & Cherries

oStrawberries

oMelon

•Dried Fruit

oRaisins

oCraisins

oDried Plums (Prunes)

oFigs

oDried banana, pineapple or cherries

•Fresh Vegetables

oCarrot sticks

oBroccoli “trees”

oCauliflower

oCelery sticks

oCherry Tomatoes

oBlanched Pea Pods

oBell Peppers

oCucumber slices

Snack & Lunchtime

Rules of the Classroom

Snack Time

Wash hands before eating snack

Do not share food

Wash hands after eating snack

Lunch Time

Wash hands before lunch

Do not touch your classmate’s food

Do not open your classmate’s food containers

Do not share food

Do not eat food that drops on the floor or table

Wash your hands after lunch

Online Resources