Just wondering which schools are more accommodating to students with food allergies requiring an epi pen. Some of these allergies are from sources that no one would ever think anyone could possibly be allergic to.
I know several epi-pen carrying students at Phillips Academy. Also at PA the dining hall is a number of self-selecting stations. Some are made to order (stir-fry, salad bar) and some are prepared - they have vegan and gluten free options. I know those may not help your child with less common food allergens, but the kitchen is aware of these issues.
You will have to contact food services at any school you’re considering to see how they will handle your child’s needs.
I highly doubt that there would be any school who would not be accommodating.
Additionally, all schools will have a dietician/nutitionist on staff with whom you can discuss dietary restrictions. Most workers in the dining hall, if not all, will have received food allergy training.
Our dining hall staff know the special diet kids by name and limitations. They’ll see you in line and point to what you can and can’t have. They’re the best!
@stargirl3 makes a good point, and for many schools, the staff knowing not only dietary restrictions but likes/dislikes is not uncommon.
Even now, in college, the grill attendant will have my eggs on the grill when s/he sees me in line.
For an alternate experience- I have neices/nephews with severe and extensive/random food allergies who are growing up as faculty children at a boarding school. They can not easily eat in the dining hall for fear that the table was not wiped properly, or that there is some cross contamination. There is very little the school serves that they can eat, if anything. It has been very difficult to manage. But they are still young, and their allergies are all life threatening.
I really think it depends on the extent and level of the allergies, as @waterbug2’s post makes clear. If the allergies are broad and severe, boarding school might not be the best place for that student.
While Hotchkiss has all of the typical accommodations for food allergies (gluten free station, non-dairy milk, peanut butter in a separate place across the dining hall from all of the rest of the food) we also have epi pens in special wall-mounted containers (similar to fire alarm pull bells) in some spots in main building and the dining hall. Of course, an emergency situation is not ever wished for, but it’s nice to know that the epi pens are there.
@hotchkissbearcat, I’m assuming you know a little about Hotchkiss - may I ask if there are other nuts served separately? It’s not just a peanut allergy, basically all nuts.
Thanks for all the responses, it really helps to read your opinions.
No direct experience- but based on experience of family friends- PEA is very accommodating for food allergies as well as many other medical conditions.