At Stone Bank School, our top priority is to provide a safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environment for every child in our community. To support this commitment, Stone Bank School maintains clear nut and peanut guidelines designed to minimize the risk of accidental exposure for students with documented, life-threatening food allergies.
Why These Guidelines Are Necessary
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within minutes of exposure. It can cause swelling that blocks airways or lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
While many foods can trigger allergies, peanuts and tree nuts are among the most common and critical triggers. While emergency treatments like epinephrine are vital when exposure occurs, strict avoidance is our primary line of defense.
Classroom & Common Area Guidelines
All Stone Bank School classrooms and shared instructional spaces, including the library, gym, art room, and STEM labs, are strictly designated as peanut/nut-free zones.
Prohibited Items: Do not send any food items containing nuts, peanuts, nut butters, or peanut butter to be consumed in classrooms. Examples of tree nuts to avoid include almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts.
Label Checks: Check products for statements such as "may contain traces of nuts" or "processed in a facility that processes peanuts/nuts." Products with these warnings are not permitted in classroom environments.
Scope: These guidelines apply to all daily snacks, birthday treats, and classroom celebrations.
Note on Cafeteria Usage: These specific classroom restrictions do not apply to cold lunches brought from home and consumed in the cafeteria.
Labeling & Snack Requirements
Clear Labels Required: All classroom snacks must have a clear ingredient label attached. Teachers will verify snack labels to ensure compliance.
No Homemade Treats: Homemade food items are not permitted in classrooms.
Safe Fresh Options: Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses are strongly encouraged, provided they are prepared in a nut-safe environment.
Re-Check Purchased Items: Ingredients and manufacturing processes change over time. Please re-read labels each time you purchase items for school snacks.
Snack Provision Policy: Please note that Stone Bank School does not provide replacement snacks for students in grades 5K–3 who forget to bring a safe snack from home.
Birthday Celebrations, Events & Transportation
Birthdays & Holiday Parties: Treats for birthdays or classroom celebrations (such as Halloween or Valentine’s Day) must be nut-free, processed in a nut-free facility, and clearly labeled.
Bus Safety: Per Dousman Transportation safety policy, no eating is permitted on school buses at any time.
Cafeteria & Lunchtime Procedures
Nut-Free Table: A dedicated peanut/nut-free table is available in the cafeteria during all lunch periods.
Seating Eligibility: Only students with documented peanut/nut allergies and those eating school-provided hot lunch may sit at this table.
Cold Lunch Guidelines: Students bringing cold lunch from home may bring items containing peanuts or nuts, but these items must not be brought to or consumed at the dedicated nut-free table.
Approved Nut-Free Snack Ideas
To help with planning, here are simple, safe options for classroom snacks:
Fresh fruits or vegetables (washed and prepared in a nut-safe environment)
Dried or freeze-dried fruit, fruit leather, applesauce, or fruit pouches
Sliced cheese or cheese sticks
Pre-packaged lunch meats, sausage sticks, or jerky
Hard-boiled eggs
If you have questions regarding these guidelines, please contact Sarah Beneker in the health room at s.beneker@stonebank.k12.wi.us or Stone Bank School District Nurse Beth Gatzow at b.gatzow@stonebank.k12.wi.us.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in keeping Stone Bank School safe and welcoming for every student.
