Orchard Farms PTO

The Cranston School Committee will hold the first reading of a policy implementing a total ban of all peanuts and tree nuts from the Cranston Public Schools at a 7PM meeting at Western Hills Middle School on Monday, November 19th.

The concern over peanut and tree nut allergies has already resulted in the institution of nut-free luchroom tables, classrooms, and the termination of the 5th Grade Snack Shop fundraiser during recess. A total prohibition of peanut / tree nut products would have far reaching effects because many commercial food products either contain nuts or are processed in factories, or with equipment, which also process nuts or nut products.

Parents would have to inspect all food items in their childrens' lunches to insure that everything is nut free. The large number of children who prefer peanut butter and jelly sandwiches would have to find something else to subsist on. And the PTO would no longer be able to conduct Worthington pie or cookie-dough fundraisers.

Please review the proposed resolution and make your voice heard at the 7PM School Committee meeting at Western Hills Middle School on Monday, November 19th.

According to the text of the proposed resolution, the sale, distribution, consumption, transportation, or possession of all peanut and/or tree nut products at, or in, school buildings, facilities, buses, properties and functions (e.g. school dances, concerts, athletic events, performance events) will be prohibited. This ban will apply to all students, parents, staff, employees, volunteers, contractors and visitors.

Policy Adopted: 9/28/72 CRANSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Policy Amended: Cranston, RI

Resolution No.: COMMUNITY 1333

PEANUT FREE / NUT TREE FREE ALLERGIES

Following the passage of RIGL sec. 16-21-31 entitled: "Notice of Peanut/tree nut allergies - Posting", The Cranston Public Schools, in conjunction with the direction of the Cranston School Committee, has developed the following policy for Cranston Public Schools regarding peanuts and tree nut allergies for the protection of the health and welfare of our student population. In order to protect all of our students, and effective immediately, the Cranston Public Schools hereby bans all peanut and/or tree nut products from all of our schools, Grades PK-12, including but not limited to all Cranston Public Schools' buildings, facilities, buses, properties and functions. Postings of this policy will be in accordance with RIGL sec. 16-21-31.

Effective immediately, any and all forms of any peanut and/or other tree nut products are prohibited from being sold, distributed, consumed, transported or possessed by any students, parents, staff, employees, volunteers, contractors or visitors while in or on any Cranston Public Schools' building, facility, bus, or other vehicle, properties and/or school functions. The intention of this policy is to prevent anyone from bringing any form of peanut or other tree nut product onto school grounds, buildings, vehicles, or functions where Cranston Public Schools' students may be in attendance, including but not limited to the normal school day, and all extracurricular or after-school functions such as school dances, concerts, athletic events, performance events, or other school functions.

The Cranston Public Schools recognizes our responsibility to provide a safe environment for each and every one of our students. Parents and guardians are requested to cooperate with this policy to help ensure that any of our students who may be at risk from exposure to peanuts and/or tree nut products are protected from inadvertent or accidental contact with such allergens. We have directed our food suppliers and providers to take all measures to prevent the inclusion of any peanut and/or other tree nut products in our school cafeterias and vending operations in conjunction with this policy.

The Cranston Public Schools will implement immediately an education program to advise our students and their parents/guardians of the purpose of this policy as well as of the serious health risks posed to students allergic to these common food products.

Once this education program has been completed, students who violate this policy will be subject to counseling and potential discipline. For instance, any student who violates this policy for the first time will be subject to mandatory counseling on the topic as well as the issuance of a written Notice of Violation to the student's responsible parent/guardian(s). Second offenders of this policy will be again counseled and their parent/guardian again warned, but the second warning will include notice of the potential for disciplinary consequences for any future violation of the policy, including but not limited to the potential loss of privileges, detention, in-house suspension or suspension upon a third offense. Non-student violators of this policy will be appropriately warned and/or disciplined as appropriate and subject to any applicable legal and/or contractual rights as the individual may have.

Employees who violate this policy will be sanctioned as appropriate by the progressive disciplinary policy.