Starting Preschool-Long- Has School Letter

[Guest guest]

I've had four children attend 4 different preschools in two states, and overall

once I explained our lifestyle choices the ones I chose were the ones that were

the most understanding (stayed away from one where a different parent sent in a

snack for all the children each week vs. sending in my own or having snacks that

had my " approval " with alternatives). Most schools tend to handle it as an

" allergy " , even though it isn't, but that is how it works best in their systems.

 

I provide EVERY teacher (through public school as well)our " Vegan Letter " (which

I will copy and paste below). I used to just give it to their homeroom teacher

but had some glitches when the Math teacher did a graphing excercise with gummy

bears, Music teacher handed out candy after rehearsal (Urgh!)etc.

 

Most of the time things worked out fine. The most aggregious mistake however was

when one teacher allowed my Jewish, vegan son to have a HAM and CHEESE sandwich

at a Thanksgiving Feast (after a prior agreement that he would get a jelly

sandwich). She felt TERRIBLE. Nothing I could do after it was over. I was RED

HOT Mad though. She'll never make that mistake again.

 

Here's the letter: (feel free to change it as needed:

 

September 5, 2010

 

 

We are looking forward to another school year and want you to know that you can

ask us for assistance with anything you or your class may need.

 

We would like to ask you to help us with maintaining our child's special diet.

He is a vegan vegetarian. We don't know if you've ever had experience with this

before but would like to give you the guidelines under which we live. We do NOT

eat the following:

 

• Meat – flesh foods of any kind, including chicken, fish, pork, beef or any

other animal. Nothing made with a meat stock including soups, sauces or gelatin

(contains bone marrow as in most Jello products, " gummy bears " and marshmallows)

• Dairy – any milk product – including milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, milk

solids, things containing non-fat dry milk, whey or casein (a milk protein) most

margarine, ice cream. This includes milk chocolate.

• Eggs – yolks or whites or anything containing them (almost all baked goods).

 

Other Considerations

• Juice – only occasionally, preferably watered down

• Candy/treats – we limit these to one per day and they mustn't contain any of

the above.

 

While we are very strict about this in our home we do make allowances for

special activities outside of our house. He is allowed to have a child's

birthday cake/cupcake. However, we never allow ice cream. If the situation

arises where this is being served we can provide an alternative such as Tofutti,

as long as we have advance warning. And this is true of any food-related

activity you or other teacher's might be planning Please contact us ahead of

time as we are willing to provide an alternative for him.

 

We are also willing to provide alternatives for the whole class as well,

anytime. Just let us know. Please feel free to call us if you have any

questions regarding the above items and, again, if you need anything to assist

you to make your job easier, please do not hesitate to call us.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

, " adobedwellers " <linaeasom wrote:

>

> Having read the other responses it does seem to depend on the school and

teacher.

>

> I'm the mom of an ovo-veg 6yr old, and I was also a preschool teacher in the

1-3yr classroom. Our preschool was pretty small and due to state regulations we

weren't allowed to serve lunch/snack. It is a small nonsectarian school run at

the Unity Church of Tucson, AZ.

>

> Even before I was a teacher there, our daughter attended school there as a 3yr

old, ovo-veg, dairy & nut allergies, and cancer survivor. They were very

accomodating. All the children brought their own lunch & snack. On days when I

knew there were class parties, I would supply her with an acceptable

muffin/cookie, etc.

>

> As a teacher, I tried to encourage my parents to bring healthy items for

party, fresh fruits, low sugar drinks, cheerios to string and play games with,

etc.

>

> Talk with the teacher and the school director, tell her your wishes and why.

Ask them to let you know ahead of time when there will be class parties so you

can bring a treat for your child. Or leave something acceptable at school for

them to give out when needed.

> It will probably take several times of reminding them to get it right. The

smaller the organization, the more luck you might have with the food issue.

>

> Our daughter is now at a charter school that doesn't offer meals, yet. All

the children there bring their lunches. It certainly makes it easier when

everyone has something different. I still keep a supply of vegan cupcakes baked

in the freezer for those last min. birthday parties.

>

> Best of luck. If you don't get the cooperation you need, look elsewhere.

>

> ~Lina

>

> , " iris777888 " <iris777888@> wrote:

> >

> > Our vegan son will start preschool next month. He's got a expressive

language delay, so doesn't speak a lot yet. He'll only be there a few mornings a

week, but every day they have a morning snack. For us veganism is not just a

dietary choice either.

> >

> > How do I bring these things up with his teacher and/or someone else at the

school? He's got a milk intollerance, and I think they'll pay attention to that

if they ask about allergies, but not sure about the other stuff. I think that

somehow I need to get the information to them though.

> >

> > He's our first and we have no experience dealing with schools, so not sure

what to expect. Will we likely have some sort of forms to fill out where we can

explain some of this? Any other advice? Should I prep a sheet about what he

can/can't eat so there are less likely to be issues with hidden ingredients?

> >

> > As probably comes across in my message, I'm a bit anxious about this, but am

pretty sure he is going to love it. Our tours have made us pretty confident with

the school, but there are still a lot of unknowns and probably will be until

he's been there for awhile.

> >

> > Heather

> > http://unsheeply.net

> >

>