There are several students at Sacred Heart with life-threatening food allergies.  Some of these allergies are so severe they can be fatal.  Here at Sacred Heart, the food allergies of which we are aware include:  peanuts, all tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, and the like), eggs, milk, shellfish, and bananas.

In order to ensure the safety of our children we ask you to follow the following recommendations:

• Notice and heed any food restriction signs on the classroom doors or entranceways.
• Avoid using the above listed items, especially nuts in any food that may be shared with classmates (e.g., at parties and celebrations in the class or other general school functions).  It is only during these functions that the children are allowed to share food with classmates.  If a child forgets his snack or lunch, arrangements will be made through the school and only through the school.  Remind your child to be careful with products brought to school, as peanut butter can leave a residue on hands that can be left on shared items.
• If your child's class is a “restrictive food zone,” we ask you not to send snack foods listed on these restrictions.  Nuts and peanuts are the most common.  We also have egg and milk allergies; these will be listed at the classroom entrance as appropriate.
• The ends of each table are designated as the Allergen Free Zone.  Students are encouraged to sit at the ends with their place mats.  Students with these allergies may have their friends sit near them as long as their lunch does not contain any of the known allergens.
• Encourage the practice of good handwashing in and out of school.