Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

gluten-free 7th Graders 2day Trip To Boston. School May Not Let Me Chaperone!


emtek5

Recommended Posts

emtek5 Newbie

HI.

My daughter has recently started the gluten free diet. She is going on a trip to Boston with her school in May. I want to chaperone so I can make sure she gets what she needs and doesn't get sick. I called the school and talked to the Assistant principal who is in charge of the trip and explained the problem and told him my daughter needs me there as a chaperone. He would not guarantee that I would be picked. They do it by lottery. He said to put a note with my application explaining the situation and they would decide then. He said lots of kids have medical problems who might need their parent to chaperone. I understand this. I don't think he really understands the disease and how complicated eating out can be on the gluten free diet. I don't trust anyone taking care of her dietary needs. She doesn't yet know how to speak up for herself when it comes to this diet. I know how hard it is to talk to inexperienced wait staff and I'm an adult. Who's going to listen to a 12 year old.What if she gets sick? She's only 12 and doesn't know how to take care of herself away from home.They are having a buffet dinner/dance on the first night ( mostly pasta and bread). The next day they are completely on there own to find meals. According to the school nurse who goes on the trip this is usually a bagel shop. She really needs me there. Any advice on what to include in the letter to make them understand how important it is that I go with her? Thanks!


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



emcmaster Collaborator
HI.

My daughter has recently started the gluten free diet. She is going on a trip to Boston with her school in May. I want to chaperone so I can make sure she gets what she needs and doesn't get sick. I called the school and talked to the Assistant principal who is in charge of the trip and explained the problem and told him my daughter needs me there as a chaperone. He would not guarantee that I would be picked. They do it by lottery. He said to put a note with my application explaining the situation and they would decide then. He said lots of kids have medical problems who might need their parent to chaperone. I understand this. I don't think he really understands the disease and how complicated eating out can be on the gluten free diet. I don't trust anyone taking care of her dietary needs. She doesn't yet know how to speak up for herself when it comes to this diet. I know how hard it is to talk to inexperienced wait staff and I'm an adult. Who's going to listen to a 12 year old.What if she gets sick? She's only 12 and doesn't know how to take care of herself away from home.They are having a buffet dinner/dance on the first night ( mostly pasta and bread). The next day they are completely on there own to find meals. According to the school nurse who goes on the trip this is usually a bagel shop. She really needs me there. Any advice on what to include in the letter to make them understand how important it is that I go with her? Thanks!

Is there any chance you can get a note from your doctor to include with your note?

My first thought would be to say that your kid couldn't go if you couldn't chaperone, but she'd probably hate that...

elonwy Enthusiast

Or have them make an exception, and let her take food with her. She may not like it as much, but if you've prepared everything ahead of time, and an adult is in charge of giving her her food, maybe that might work. I know they do that with medications, so make sure they understand that its just like medication. Probably difficult, but just an alternate thought.

Elonwy

laurac Newbie
HI.

My daughter has recently started the gluten free diet. She is going on a trip to Boston with her school in May. I want to chaperone so I can make sure she gets what she needs and doesn't get sick. I called the school and talked to the Assistant principal who is in charge of the trip and explained the problem and told him my daughter needs me there as a chaperone. He would not guarantee that I would be picked. They do it by lottery. He said to put a note with my application explaining the situation and they would decide then. He said lots of kids have medical problems who might need their parent to chaperone. I understand this. I don't think he really understands the disease and how complicated eating out can be on the gluten free diet. I don't trust anyone taking care of her dietary needs. She doesn't yet know how to speak up for herself when it comes to this diet. I know how hard it is to talk to inexperienced wait staff and I'm an adult. Who's going to listen to a 12 year old.What if she gets sick? She's only 12 and doesn't know how to take care of herself away from home.They are having a buffet dinner/dance on the first night ( mostly pasta and bread). The next day they are completely on there own to find meals. According to the school nurse who goes on the trip this is usually a bagel shop. She really needs me there. Any advice on what to include in the letter to make them understand how important it is that I go with her? Thanks!

I don't know what state you are in. We are in Mass. My son was diagnosed a few months ago and when I had my team meeting with the school I was told that no matter what I would be able to attend all field trips even if there was a lottery involved to go. I didn't even ask that question, they just told me. I don't know if this is some kind of law or just good practice on behalf of the school. I would check with the Americans with Disabilities act or the Dept of Ed. I also think you can have a 504 plan set up with that included and they have to comply.

Good Luck!!!

I would want to go as well. I so understand where you are coming from!!

Laura

Izak's Mom Apprentice

Find out what her exact itinerary will be, and exactly where in Boston she'll be when it's time to go get meals. Then get online, do a little research and find out what restaurants/delis/stores are in the same area and find out what gluten-free meals/products they sell. You can then arm her and/or a chaperone with a list of 'safe' things to order at a few different places so she can still feel like an 'adult' but make safe choices that have been pre-approved by you.

ryebaby0 Enthusiast

Well, there's no way she's going without you, and expecting her to manage food is not realistic, so their only choice is to take you too. You might offer to accompany her as an unofficial chaperone and pay your own costs. I too, have never had a problem; the schools have always picked the parents of kids by "Lottery" but somehow I (and a parent or college-age sib of a classmate with Down's) am always in the pile :)

Write the explanation, and see what happens. If they don't pick you, she can't go, and shame on them. But give them the chance to pick you, first.

amybeth Enthusiast

I teach 7th graders, and we had a student in the past with severe allergies. When fied trips came up, understandably her parents were concerned.

We weren't going on an over night trip, and the number of chaperones alloted accounted for each of the teachers on the team. We didn't have open slots, even, to lottery out.

However, mom asked us if she could travel behind us and join us in the theater, restaurant, etc.

In all honesty a couple of the teachers didn't "get it". I, of course, realized that this would put mom AND the student at ease.

Mom did exactly that. She came on each of our day trips, brought food for her daughter with her, paid her own way, and her daughter seemed relieved to have her there.

While I think there may have been a more delicate way for the asst. principal to address it, this may be your best option.

Another tact I would take is go through the school nurse, who is more likely to understand the symptms and cautions that must be taken in order to keep your daughter happy and healthy on an overnight trip.

The last thing a 7th grader wants is to stand out and be "different". Have you asked your daughter which option seems best and most fitting to her?

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

I think the suggestion, above, to attach a doctors note would be great!

It may also be helpful to include information about the long term effects, etc.

Please let us know what happens!


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



kirbymom Newbie

First, how is your daughter doing on the diet and is she intolerant or does gluten cause anaphylaxis? Does she see the results - feeling better, no diarhea, etc, decreased stomach pain, etc.? If she were glutened and ended up ill on the trip, it might not be a whole lot of fun. It's a bit less embarassing to eat different food than to need to be in the washroom all of the time (assuming she has classical symptoms - my family is a mix of classical and non-classical).

Second, researching the restaurants and such ahead of time and arming your daughter with a list of food that is okay seems like a great idea!

Third, your daughter is learning right along with you about the gluten free diet. This may be a great experience for her to teach others about the diet (I have a suspician this will be invaluable to some as it is my belief, gluten intolerance is much more common than previously thought!) as well as learn the details that she needs to look into herself - this could be an awesome opportunity for you to teach your daughter as well. My daughter is 6 and we took her off gluten when she was 5. Early on we went visiting (and took our own gluten free cookies), she asked if she could have a cookie that the hostess was serving. We told her that it would likely make her sick, but it was her choice if she wanted to eat one. I believe in consequence based learning as long as the situation is not life threatening. Needless to say, twenty minutes later she was in the bathroom. Since that time she has refused cookies/crackers, etc. when out and checks in with me to see if things are okay. She also asks that teachers read labels now as a teacher acidentally glutened her with Smarties (in Canada they have wheat starch) early on. I would expect it would actually be easier to do this with your daughter as my child is only starting to read now. She is however very aware of her dietary needs.

What would I do in your situation? I would hope that I would be picked in the lottery, but if not I would have a plan of action in place. Since you have three months, this is certainy doable. I would

1) take my daughter shopping with me and teach her to read labels

2) get some gluten-free "treats" and staples to take on the trip (gluten-free cookies/muffins/rice cakes/rice crackers/fruit, etc)- okay it with the school - I have pretty good recipes that I have tried and there are others here and other places as well - feel free to PM me

3) meet with teacher and possibly someone else that is going and go over concerns again as well as provide them with a list of okay foods or foods to check (e.g check soy sauce, no malt, etc.)- maybe provide a couple of short general articles (Canadian Living published one last spring and others may be out there) for the teacher to read

4) get itinerary and call restaurants - you will be surprised, but some are understanding and do accomodate - if pizza is being served, maybe you can send a gluten free shell that could have toppings added and cooked on a stone covered with foil, if pasta ask if they serve rice pasta or vermicilli and if they are cooked in designated pots i.e. no wheat, check out sauces. If the itinerary is not set, maybe the school could add a celiac friendly restaurant (see Open Original Shared Link.

5) take my daughter out for a couple of mom dates and have her choose while I advise

Fourth, I would try not to panic (easier said than done). If you are just learning the gluten-free lifestyle, I totally understand as I remember what I was (and still am somewhat) like - looks like we have to go off casein as well so this is starting over a bit for me. However, this is something that your daughter must get used to and you will not always be able to be there to look over her shoulder for whatever reason.

I hope this helps at least a little!

gf4life Enthusiast

My oldest was the first to go on an overnight trip with school, but fortunately he had 2 1/2 years of experience with eating gluten free before he went on a week-long (M-F) science camp with school in 6th grade. I was told by the school nurse when I met with her regarding his dietary issues and camp, that I could "shadow" him and go on the trip too. I didn't want to do that because I know it would embarrass him and he wouldn't enjoy camp that much. So the nurse got me the camp menu and the phone number for the kitchen staff. I contacted the head chef and we discussed the entire week's menu. Most of it he could not eat, but I was able to prepare him substitute meals and freeze most of them. I sent a duffel bag full of his food, labeled with the day and meal it was to be served and typed instructions for the kitchen staff. I got the nearly empty bag back, with only a few extra snacks left in it, and a post-it stuck to the instructions from the kitchen staff telling me Thank You for helping them to feed my son and that they thought I was a great mom. My son had a great time and has since gone to summer camp and is going to winter camp this weekend.

Now my younger son will be going to the same science camp next year and if the same kitchen staff is there I am sure they will remember me and my bag of food with instructions! And both boys will be going to summer camp together this year, so i will have to send a lot of food!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,187
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Kris46
    Newest Member
    Kris46
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Ginger38
      So I recently had allergy testing for IGE antibodies in response to foods. My test results came back positive to corn, white potatoes, egg whites. Tomatoes, almonds and peanuts to name a few.  I have had obvious reactions to a few of these - particularly tomatoes and corn- both GI issues. I don’t really understand all this allergy versus celiac stuff. If the food allergies are mild do I have to avoid these foods entirely? I don’t know what I will eat if I can’t  have corn based gluten free products 
    • Kris2093u4
      Geography makes a difference.  I'm in the West and Trader Joe's gluten-free bread tastes great and is a better price than most gluten-free breads sold elsewhere in my area.  
    • JForman
      We have four children (7-14 yo), and our 7 year old was diagnosed with NCGS (though all Celiac labs were positive, her scope at 4 years old was negative so docs in the US won't call it celiac). We have started her on a Gluten Free diet after 3 years of major digestive issues and ruling out just about everything under the sun. Our home and kitchen and myself are all gluten-free. But I have not asked my husband/her dad or her other siblings to go completely gluten-free with us. They are at home, but not out of the home. This has led to situations when we are eating out where she has to consistently see others eating things she can't have and she has begun to say "Well, I can't have <fill in the blank>...stupid gluten."  How have you supported your gluten-free kiddos in the mental health space of this journey, especially young ones like her. I know it's hard for me as an adult sometimes to miss out, so I can't imagine being 7 and dealing with it! Any tips or ideas to help with this? 
    • Jane878
      By the time I was 5 I had my first auto0immune disorder, Migraine headaches, with auras to blind me, and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. I was 5 years old, and my stepfather would have pizza night, milling his own flour, making thick cheesy gluten pizza, that I would eat and the next day, I would have serious migraines, and my mother & stepfather did nothing about my medical problems. When I was 17 in my first year at college, I was diagnosed with my 2nd known auto-immune disorder, Meniere's disease. I was a elite athlete, a swimmer, and soccer player. And once again my parents didn't think anything of understanding why I had a disorder only older people get. Now after my mother passed from Alzheimer's disease she also suffered with living with gluten. She had a rash for 30 years that nobody could diagnose. She was itchy for 45 years total. My brother had a encapsulated virus explodes in his spleen and when this happened his entire intestines were covered with adhesions, scar tissue and he almost lost his life. He has 5 daughters, and when I finally was diagnosed after being pregnant and my body went into a cytokine storm, I lost my chance to have children, I ended up having Hashimoto's disease, Degenerative Disc disease, and my body started to shut down during my first trimester. I am 6ft tall and got down to 119lbs. My husband and I went to a special immunologist in Terrace, California. They took 17 vials of blood as we flew there for a day and returned home that evening. In 3 weeks, we had the answer, I have Celiac disease. Once this was known, only my father and husband made efforts to change their way of feeding me. At the family cabin, my stepfather & mother were more worried that I would ruin Thanksgiving Dinner. It wasn't until one of my cousins was diagnosed with Celiac disease. They finally looked into getting Gluten Free flour and taking measures to limit "gluten" in meals. He did nothing but ask for me to pay for my own food and wi-fi when I came to the cabin to stay after our house burned down. When he informed my mother, they proceeding to get into a physical fight and she ended up with a black eye. The is just more trauma for me. Sam had no interest in telling the truth about what he wanted. He lied to my mother that he had asked my husband if I could pay for "food" when he asked Geoffrey if I had money to pay for my wi-fi. My mother hates when he spends so much time on the computer so he lied and said I could pay for my own food. I will remind you I weighed 119lbs at this time. (At 6ft) that is a very sick looking person. Neither parent was worried about my weight, they just fought about how cheap my stepfather was. As my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014. He had her sign over the will to a trust and added his children. He had no testimonial capacity at the time, so she signed without proper papers. Making this Trust null and void. When I gave my brother my childhood home, my mother stated I would be getting an equal part of inheritance to the house on Race. It currently worth 2.0 million $. I got nothing, and my stepfather has since disowned me b/c of my claim and he knows that my mother would never have left it uneven between my biological brother and myself. She sat me and my husband down, as we lived at the Race Street house and treated and took care of it as our own. My brother took over b/c he was going through a horrific divorce and needed a home so he could get a better custody deal with his soon to be ex-wife who was a Assist DA for Denver. She used the girls against him, and he & I were the primary caregivers. We, Judd and I spent the most time with them pre the divorce. Once Judd moved into the house, he threw all of my mother, grandmother and my family heirlooms out to the Goodwill. Nobody told my mother about this as she was going through cancer treatment and had Alzheimer's disease in her mother and her sister. My stepfather and biological brother took advantage of this matter, as I called a "family council" that my brother just never could make it to at the last moment. All of the furnishing, kitchen ware, everything was in the house my brother just moved into. He had had 2 weddings, I chose to elope b/c my stepfather ruined my brother's first wedding by talking about his relationship with my brother in front of my dad and his entire family, insulting him and having my grandfather leave the ceremony. It was a disaster. My stepfather just plays dumb and blames my father for the slight. I was the only child not to have a wedding. So, my mother and stepfather never had to pay for a thing. My mother had had an agreement with my father he'd pay for college and all medical issues with their kids, myself and Judd. So truly my mother never had to pay for anything big for me in her entire life. I am looking for anyone that has had a similar story, where they grew up in a household that had a baker that regularly milled flour and ate gluten. What happened to you? DId you suffer from different auto-immune diseases b/c of living with a baker using "gluten" Please let me know. I have been looking into legal ways to get my stepfather to give me what my mother had promised, and he erased. Thank you for listening to my story. Jane Donnelly  
    • trents
      Possibly gluten withdrawal. Lot's of info on the internet about it. Somewhat controversial but apparently gluten plugs into the same neuro sensors as opiates do and some people get a similar type withdrawal as they do when quitting opiates. Another issue is that gluten-free facsimile flours are not fortified with vitamins and minerals as is wheat flour (in the U.S. at least) so when the switch is made to gluten-free facsimile foods, especially if a lot of processed gluten-free foods are being used as substitutes, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can result. There is also the possibility that she has picked up a virus or some but that is totally unrelated to going gluten-free.
×
×
  • Create New...