NUT-FREE INFORMATION for SY 2018-2019

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers:

We would like to remind everyone of the NUT FREE POLICIES in place at the McCarthy school for 2018-2019.

Several students at the McCarthy School have severe and potentially life-threatening allergies to peanuts and nut products. We have a legal and ethical obligation to follow their physician’s recommendations to safeguard their health. The McCarthy School is not a completely nut-free school. There are nut-free classrooms where no nut products of any kind are allowed into the classroom.
The following classrooms are nut-free at the McCarthy School this year:

Pre-School
Ms. Normand            Kindergarten Room 102
Ms. Emery                  Grade 2 Room 208
Ms. Capozzi                Grade 2 Room 207
Mr. Manganaro         Grade 3 Room 203
Ms. O’Brien                Grade 4 Room 201
Ms. Manning              Grade 5 Room 205

What if my child is placed in a nut-free classroom?   There are several guidelines that need to be followed at all times: Students in nut-free classroom are NOT allowed to bring peanut or nut products into class at all.  Peanut/nut products are never consumed in the nut-free classroom. Snacks must be peanut/nut-free snacks.  Snacks should come pre-packaged so that ingredients are clearly listed for the teacher or nurse to read. If you send your child in with a baggy of chips, cereal, or other items that have been taken from the original box, it is impossible for the school to determine if the food item may contain nuts. Therefore, all snacks must be in their original packages. Some examples of nut-free snacks are: yogurt, canned fruit cups, pudding, vegetables, string cheese and fresh fruit.

What are the rules for peanut/nut consumption in the cafeteria?  THESE RULES APPLY FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL POPULATION REGARDLESS IF YOUR CHILD IS IN A NUT-FREE CLASSROOM. The McCarthy School cafeteria does not serve any nut products. This includes peanut butter sandwiches.  There is a nut-free table in the cafeteria. Students with nut allergies sit at this table. Any child who purchases a school lunch may also sit at this table. ONLY Students who have a nut-allergy may bring in a nut free lunch in from home.  NO other students bringing lunch from home may sit at the peanut-free table. The nut-free tables and all other tables are washed down with a disinfectant solution after each lunch.

FOR ALL CLASSES:  Please don’t send in food items for the students to share with their class, although everyone appreciates the thought!  We celebrate students’ birthdays by recognizing them in our morning announcements and they are asked to come down to the office to receive a small gift item.

If you have any questions about any of the allergy guidelines please contact the School Nurse at 978.536.5628.

Thank you for your continued cooperation to help make the McCarthy School a safe place for all of our students!

Categorized in: McCarthy Elementary