Luigi Aprea Fundamental School
Gilroy, California
by Darlene Rolph
My son Alex is allergic to dairy products. Sending him off to Kindergarten was one of the hardest things I have
ever done. But I have been very lucky because the staff at the school Alex attends, Luigi Aprea Fundamental School, in Gilroy,
California has been so responsive and responsible to our every need.
I first approached the school nurse, Julie Mabie in April of the year before my son would start school. I wanted
to be certain that we had plenty of time to work out every detail that would need to be attended to before school started
in August. I called and made an appointment with Julie, then went about putting together a packet of information about food
allergies.
Most of the information I was going to provide her with was from the FAAN website. I was proud of the packet I
put together headed off for my appointment with her. Was I ever pleased and surprised when at the meeting Julie pulled out
a folder of information she herself had printed from the FAAN website. She had printed just about everything I did from the
website, and even better she had already signed the school up to receive the School Food Allergy Program from FAAN. Julie
listened to me and paid close attention and I knew by the end of that meeting I was in good hands.
A few days before school started in August Julie made an appointment for her, me and my husband to meet with the
Kindergarten teachers. By this time Julie had received the School Program and she sat down and went over everything regarding
the food allergies in general and Alex’s situation specifically. We used the EpiPen Jr. trainer to give the teachers
practice on how to use the pen.
The teachers were wonderful and receptive. They hung a bag containing all of Alex’s medications on the wall
in their classroom, put up a picture of him so everyone knew who he was, hung up his Emergency Plan.
Mrs. Chris Wheeler, Alex’s teacher has been so wonderful and considerate with Alex and our situation. She
showed the whole Kindergarten class the Alex the Elephant video and explained Alex’s situation to the kids. When she
is having a celebration or treats in class, she intentionally buys treats or prepares treats that are "safe" for Alex.
A few weeks after school started there were a couple of incidents involving Go-Gurt. Apparently, when little hands
try to handle Go-Gurt, it is not uncommon for Go-Gurt to go squirting out of the package. When the teachers saw this happen
a time or two, they along with the nurse and the principle, Sergio Montenegro, decided that Kindergarteners shouldn’t
bring Go-gurts or drinkable yogurt to school because there was too much of a probability of more incidents of squirting yogurt.
So they put out a letter explaining the situation and asking parents to refrain from sending these items to school. The letter
also asked that they not send peanut butter because there is a Kindergartener in another class allergic to peanuts.
I understand that they received some complaints from other parents but have upheld their position that they must
keep the food allergic children safe. (The kindergarteners are only in school for 3 ½ hours per day).
Additionally, Mrs. Wheeler has talked with many of the parents about the situation and I am pleased to say that
the room mother has asked me if I would mind providing the snacks for the classroom celebrations so that we could ensure safe
foods. I wasn’t insulted at all. I was so pleased and I don’t care if I have to bake 2 million cupcakes and cookies
a year if it means keeping my little one safe!
I can now send my child to school now without feeling petrified every time I drop him off. He loves school. I mean
he really loves it and I am so happy to have found these people who have been so compassionate and caring toward my child.
That is why I am writing to plead that you give them recognition.
Thank you for reading.
Darlene Rolph
