Help! School Troubles!

[cindermomma]

We are having all kinds of issues with DS's (8) school this year. He is in 2nd grade. Alittle background...DS has horrible allergies(chronic sinutius, lots of mucus a lot..), and a very strong gag relflex and chokes easily due to this. He coughed at school 2 weeks ago and vomitted due to the cough and mucus. Most got into the waste basket, some missed. The office lady sent him up to get his backpack to go home. Then when he got back, she asked him to go clean up his vomit!!!! So, he did. (Superintendant didn't believe me when I called, but confirmed my DS was correct after talking to her!). The thing is with this...he also has a plan where he is to use an inhaler when he coughs this bad. They completely dis-reguarded this. This upsets me more than anything. Now, they are checking his lunch bag I pack everyday to see what he has eaten, if he has eaten enough to go outside for recess. I explained that I send many items for him to chose from, he'll eat what he can (mucus days...he'll avoid crackers, for example.) I also have a doctors note supporting the gag relux thing (it's not him just choosing not to eat certain things..he will choke). Well, today they (office personnel and school nurse) called him out of class to the office and told him to eat slowly, yada yada. Then they called him out again after they had spoken to me about his issues, to explain the "rules of the lunch room" and that they expect him to follow the rules. BTW, rules are all clean trays (or lunch boxes) may go 1st to recess, 1 item left next, 2 items, ect. I don't feel he should have to sit there when I am sending his lunch, and if they tell him he can't go, he'll try to eat more...then vomit. Any suggestions???? I don't know what to do. I feel they are more concerned with making the loves of the school personnel easier than the medical safety of my DS. Also I have no troubles with his teacher...all is well there! Am I crazy for being upset? Please no flames if they are out there. Thanks dis friends!

 

[Steve's Girl]

Could your son's Dr. write a note to the school? I would think that they would have to follow Dr.'s orders.

 

[TinaLala]

I think they are disregarding your doctor's notice about this issue. I understand they are afraid he'll get sick and the other kids will get sick, however if he's clearly got an issue they should be pulling his file and checking to see what to do. It sounds like the nurse didn't do that in this case. Also from what you said it's not an issue of him eating too much, it's an issue of his allergies and high mucus causing him to gag - correct? So why do they have him on food intake watch? Sounds like they're watching him like he's a bilemic and they're shoving food down his throat, but then being cautious about sending him out to recess after stuffing him like a turkey???

My DD6 has RSV and seasonal asthma. If we don't catch her early enough her lungs can fill up with fluid and she gets like that - mucus vomit. Been there!!

 

[cindermomma]

Could your son's Dr. write a note to the school? I would think that they would have to follow Dr.'s orders.

We do have doctors notes..about the inhaler and the gagging.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

You are not crazy!! This is ridiculous!! Since they are clearly not listening to you, the parent, or the doctors note, I would suggest making an appointment with the principal, secretary and nurse and possibly include the lunch ladies in on it. Bring in all documentation you have from doctor and state what you have said here. You and your son are the best judges of how much and what he can eat any given day and to 1. punish him for not finishing everything is RIDICULOUS and 2. isolating him from kids is just crazy because he is not contagious.

GRRR!!

Best of luck to you and please keep us posted!

 

[cindermomma]

I think they are disregarding your doctor's notice about this issue. I understand they are afraid he'll get sick and the other kids will get sick, however if he's clearly got an issue they should be pulling his file and checking to see what to do. It sounds like the nurse didn't do that in this case. Also from what you said it's not an issue of him eating too much, it's an issue of his allergies and high mucus causing him to gag - correct? So why do they have him on food intake watch? Sounds like they're watching him like he's a bilemic and they're shoving food down his throat, but then being cautious about sending him out to recess after stuffing him like a turkey???

My DD6 has RSV and seasonal asthma. If we don't catch her early enough her lungs can fill up with fluid and she gets like that - mucus vomit. Been there!!

He sounds just like your daughter. Lots of mucus vomit. I told them I honestly don't care if he only eats one bite...he is 55 inches tall and 85 pounds, so he is not malnurished. They said they want them all to eat their lunch and won't make any special circumstances for him (only eat what he can with what I send that day). So, he'll have to sit there until the end of recess instead of going out. I just feel like I am paying for this food, and if he physically can't eat it that day, that's ok. I am sure you know some days are wayyyyy worse than others with the mucus.

Thanks for listening and for the replies! It's nice to have understanding friends!

 

[cindermomma]

You are not crazy!! This is ridiculous!! Since they are clearly not listening to you, the parent, or the doctors note, I would suggest making an appointment with the principal, secretary and nurse and possibly include the lunch ladies in on it. Bring in all documentation you have from doctor and state what you have said here. You and your son are the best judges of how much and what he can eat any given day and to 1. punish him for not finishing everything is RIDICULOUS and 2. isolating him from kids is just crazy because he is not contagious.

GRRR!!

Best of luck to you and please keep us posted!

We actually had to fill out an asthma plan due to the inhaler for the seasonal use. Makes me so mad that they didn't follow doctors instructions. Thanks for the reply. I think you gave me really good advice. I am gonna make that appointment.

 

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

I personally think someone needs to challenge their eat everything rule. I mean talk about setting kids up for obesity!

 

[GJM]

[QUOTEI personally think someone needs to challenge their eat everything rule][/QUOTE]


I agree with this. I send lunch with my DS (8) and I do send a bunch of things from him to pick from, I would never expect him to eat it all - Some days he eats good other days he doesn't.

You really need to go to the school and have a meeting with all involved.

 

[cindermomma]

[QUOTEI personally think someone needs to challenge their eat everything rule]

I agree with this. I send lunch with my DS (8) and I do send a bunch of things from him to pick from, I would never expect him to eat it all - Some days he eats good other days he doesn't.

You really need to go to the school and have a meeting with all involved.[/QUOTE]

That's exactly what I do! I told them I don't expect him to eat it! And I totally agree with the obesity comment...don't they read the newspaper?

 

[cindermomma]

So, what do you guys think about the vomit cleaning thing? Anything like that happen to anyone here? I was Way more mad that they didn't monitor him and give him his inhaler. I just feel so uncomfortable with him at this school ( a new school, the 2nd - 4th grade is at a different location from what he had last year, so new office staff and the school nurse is only there M, W and F I think).

 

[CrAzY4DL]

Ugh I forgot they had him clean up his own mess!! THAT IS RIDICULOUS as well!!! OMG, I am having issues FOR you, lol!!! Poor mama!!!

 

[GJM]

I would be pretty mad that they made him clean up his own mess.

 

[Teacher03]

I have never heard a rule about how much the students were expected to eat! That is ridiculous! I also would be upset if my child was asked to clean up his own vomit.

 

[bzzymom]

I am very upset that a child had to clean up after himself, in part because it needs to be cleaned in the proper way, to ensure the safety of other kids as well.

DS, 11, has terrible outdoor allergies, but this fall has been the worst. A simple laugh would put him into a coughing fit. His nose was constantly draining. 2 weeks went by and it wasn't getting better. He wasn't vomiting, but he had no appetite. I took him to our allergist that is about 1 hour away and she saig that it was so bad that we had to put him on steroids (prednisone) for 5 days, and add an inhaler before any exertion, and add nasonex, and singulair as well. Normally he takes a zyrtec everyday. It is finally under better control.

I think that it is due to the fact that I enrolled him in public school this year, no air conditioning. He was in a private school k-5 that had air conditioning. I feel bad, but with the price of private school going up, and since I have been off of work for 16 months due to an injury, we needed to tighten up our belts.

I don't know how to help you with the school. It is terrible that he has to miss recess, socialization, exercise, and so on. Good luck to you.

 

[SLK1]

Regarding "eat everything on your plate" rule, they give kids with special learning needs exceptions all the time, i.e, they don't get timed on tests, or they only get 10 spelling words versus 20. So, if they can do it for academics, they can do it for lunch. What a ridiculous rule anyway!! I would not only call on the principal, but the superintendent as well...this school needs some serious help.

As for cleaning his own mess, that is nonsense. That is what janitors are paid for. Maybe you can mention that you'd be happy to take your child's pay in small bills if it's more convenient since he did the work of a janitor!

 

[dawnbu40]

The best advice I ever received from another mom at a school was that "You are your child's only advocate". The schools today are more concerned with keeping the staff happy then they are the children's welfare. If you make enough noise they will eventually listen to you mom! Keep at it..your son needs you! These kinds of things make me so glad that DD started college this year and I am past those days!!

 

[snickerboo]

Well, I think, if I were you, I'd be rip-roarin' mad! Clean up his own vomit??? Did they think he should be punished for coughing so hard he throws up??? I think a letter from your Dr. explaining your child's needs and a sit-down with school administration is what's required here. I think they need to be much more accomodating and understanding of your son's condition.

 

[Tiffa]

I did work at a school and we were told we cannot check lunch boxes since that is what the parent is sending to school we had no say (we wanted to say something to the parent that sent a donut and candy lunch everyday) We did have a child with reflux he even had a band put in, we knew what was needed, our nurses were aware, one of his teachers had what I call a "yuck" factor it just seemed to gross her out, for medical reasons I would fight for your son they have no say in your lunches or a Dr's diagnoses check your school's medical policy and use it against them if you have too, better yet check with your DISTRICT policy you will have a way better idea on what to do.

 

[cindermomma]

I am very upset that a child had to clean up after himself, in part because it needs to be cleaned in the proper way, to ensure the safety of other kids as well.

DS, 11, has terrible outdoor allergies, but this fall has been the worst. A simple laugh would put him into a coughing fit. His nose was constantly draining. 2 weeks went by and it wasn't getting better. He wasn't vomiting, but he had no appetite. I took him to our allergist that is about 1 hour away and she saig that it was so bad that we had to put him on steroids (prednisone) for 5 days, and add an inhaler before any exertion, and add nasonex, and singulair as well. Normally he takes a zyrtec everyday. It is finally under better control.

I think that it is due to the fact that I enrolled him in public school this year, no air conditioning. He was in a private school k-5 that had air conditioning. I feel bad, but with the price of private school going up, and since I have been off of work for 16 months due to an injury, we needed to tighten up our belts.

I don't know how to help you with the school. It is terrible that he has to miss recess, socialization, exercise, and so on. Good luck to you.

Exactly! I am mad because I felt the cleaning of it was wrong, but the safety of others too! I cringe to think of how they clean up urine, feces or blood. The Superintendant said the office gal was busy and "razzled" that day and that it wouldn't happen again. I have to wonder with how the school is ran. I know what you mean about the AC. They told me last year it didn't make "fiscal" sense to turn it on. We live in Nebraska and the allergies are Horrible this year. His allergist said it's one of the worst seasons on record due to the rainy spring. Thanks for listening.