Allergy Aware
August 2022
Dear Parent/Guardian,
You have probably all seen the news stories on the growing number of children with life-threatening food allergies. These children, who are perfectly healthy and normal in every way, must watch and be careful about every bite they eat or risk suffering a severe or even life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Food allergies have become a major health issue in this country. Anyone can develop this kind of allergy at any age, but younger children seem to be at greater risk.
First-time allergic reactions can occur anywhere including the school environment. The proteins from tree nuts and peanuts seem to be most often associated with anaphylaxis after ingestion or other exposures. All tree nuts and peanuts are part of the FDA required foods to be listed on manufacturer’s ingredient labels. The other six most common foods that people are allergic to and that must be listed on ingredient labels are fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, egg and milk.
The Rochester Community School District wants to reduce the possibility of our students with severe allergies being exposed to their allergens. To do this, we are taking a multi-pronged approach to prevention and have developed a Handbook with guidelines on allergy avoidance, education, and emergency readiness for all of our students. This guide can be found on our RCS website. We realize that the biggest part of avoidance is education, and that involves not just families directly involved, but to be safe, the entire school community.
We have not declared our schools “Nut Free”, as some districts have done, for several reasons. First, this is a claim that cannot be guaranteed and we feel that it would lead to a false sense of security. “Allergy Aware” and “No Peanut/Tree Nut Classrooms” are the phrases and controls that best describe our efforts to keep allergic students safe. In this way we best plan for each allergic child as best suits their needs. Due to the high number of students who are allergic to peanuts/tree nuts at Brewster, we have labeled all of our classrooms with known allergies “No Peanut/No Tree Nut Classrooms”. Students may have nut products during lunch. There will be an “Allergy Alert Table”, just as in the past, to make sure all students are safe from life-threatening allergens. In unique cases, teachers will communicate specific classroom need for allergy awareness and safety. Children with medical needs will be accommodated according to their MAP plans.
We appreciate your support of guideline restrictions and procedures when they may require your cooperation. Below is the shared goal from our Handbook on allergies that we would like to see everyone embrace.
Shared goal: Students with life-threatening food allergies will over time develop greater independence to keep themselves safe from anaphylactic reactions. School communities will differentiate risk reduction strategies for students with food allergies reflecting the same generous spirit and understanding as is demonstrated for students with differentiated learning styles and other health-related student needs.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kelly Dessy
Principal, Brewster Elementary
Brewster PTA Update
Membership Toolkit
Membership Toolkit is a website and app used by the Brewster PTA. On Membership Toolkit you can find a Brewster directory, calendar of events, and make secure purchases. You do not need to be a PTA member to use most of the features on Membership Toolkit. To create an account, you need to go the website first. Once you create your account on the website, you can download the app on your mobile device. If you already use Membership Toolkit, please log in to update your student’s information for the new school year. Use this link to create or update your account https://rhillsbrewsterpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
Brewster Facebook Group
The Brewster Facebook group is a great way to connect with Brewster families and learn about upcoming events. If you are a member of the Brewster Facebook group, please send an invite to Brewster families that are not yet members. For the safety of our students, the Brewster Facebook group is private. To join, you need to be a current Brewster family and answer the questions to join the group.
Join the PTA
You can join the PTA by going to the store on the Membership Toolkit app or clicking this link Join the Brewster PTA. By joining the PTA you will have access to the Brewster directory on the Membership Toolkit website and app.
Annual Fundraiser
The Brewster PTA will be launching its Annual Fundraiser. Our hope is to pivot from ongoing fundraising activities throughout the year that support Brewster students, teachers and staff, to a one-time donation made by each family at the beginning of the year. To make a donation use this link Annual Fundraiser or go to the store on Membership Toolkit. While there is no set amount that we are requesting, as we are sensitive to every family’s financial capacity, we hope and suggest the following amounts: $50 per family with one Brewster student or $75 per family with two or more Brewster students.
Girls on the Run
Attention families with 3rd-5th grade girls! Girls on the run will be meeting at Brewster this year. Please see the attached Flyer and the Facebook page for more information.
Fun Run
Brewster Fun Run returns this year on Friday, October 14. Watch the Brewster Weekly and Facebook page for more information in the coming weeks.
Blake’s Fall Family Night
We will continue our tradition of family night at Blake’s with campfires, donuts, and cider. Our event will be Friday, October 14 6p-9:30p. Watch the Brewster Weekly and Facebook page for more information in the coming weeks.
PTA Board Names and Contact Information
President – Jackie Bieber BrewsterPTAPresident@gmail.com
VP of Fundraising – Rachael Welch
VP of Membership – Michelle Endres
Treasurer – Susanna Brennan
Secretary – Grant Kosch
Stay Connected!
Email: kdessy@rochester.k12.mi.us
Website: https://brewster.rochester.k12.mi.us/
Location: 1535 Brewster Road, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Phone: 248-726-3300
Twitter: @BrewsterRCS