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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
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Jesss, duh.
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Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
It was the last day before winter break at Edison Regional Gifted Center, a selective school in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood that's one of the state's best. And according to parents, one class of seventh-graders decided to celebrate by ordering Chinese food.
That food apparently sent Katelyn Carlson, 13, into severe anaphylactic shock, the result of an allergic reaction. She was rushed to Swedish Covenant Hospital Friday afternoon, but ultimately died from the trauma.
Chicago Public Schools officials wouldn't comment on the matter because they were conducting an investigation. But parents of Carlson's classmates spoke to the Chicago Tribune about the situation:
Two parents of other students said they had been told by school officials that Katelyn had a severe allergic reaction to peanut oil from Chinese food ordered from a restaurant for a class party.
Matthew Akinrinade, whose daughter was a classmate and close friend of Katelyn's since kindergarten, said his daughter also has a peanut allergy and assured him earlier last week that a teacher had called the restaurant several times to make sure peanuts would not be used in the food. Akinrinade said his daughter did not have a reaction to the food Friday, but she saw that Katelyn was having trouble breathing.
An Associated Press story reports that grief counselors were on hand at the school Monday, despite it being the first day of winter vacation, to meet with students who needed to talk.
Katelyn was a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do and an altar server at St. Hilary Church who also loved basketball, soccer and fishing, according to her obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times. A wake was held for her Monday at the Smith-Corcoran funeral home.
link to story
It is stories like these that make me fear what school will be like for Ryan who has a Level 4 allergy (out of 6) to peanuts. 
My prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
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Posted 12/21/10 7:12 PM  |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
That is really sad. DS has an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts as well (he is also level 4).
I wonder if we are missing part of this and the parents were not informed of the menu, we were told by our allergist that we cannot even enter a Chinese Restaurant because everything is cooked in peanut oil. I would have kept DS home that day if I knew the classroom was going to have this type of party.
I also wonder if the school had an EPI-PEN, we carry one at all times with DS and our allergist said he he goes to daycare they need to have one on hand as well.
I try not to become crazy with fear over DSs allergies (he also has a level 4 allergy to tree nuts and eggs), I just stay informed and inform EVERYONE who comes in contact with him. We plan to start treatment for his allergies in the next 2 or 3 years so hopefully by the time he is in 2nd or 3rd grade we won't have to worry.
It is stressful, I understand your worry, but all we can do is be prepared and make sure everyone around our DC are informed and also prepared.
Message edited 12/21/2010 7:28:09 PM.
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| Posted 12/21/10 7:27 PM |
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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
Name:
Jesss, duh.
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
We also carry an epi pen for Ryan and have an extra one for school, should he attend (he is only 2.5 now).
I tell everyone I come in clsoe contact with about his allergy and grateful my firends have been super supportive when it comes to playdates and such.
But freak accidents do happen. And while I am sure there is some negligence somewhere in that story, it is still just sad.
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| Posted 12/21/10 7:31 PM |
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HillandRon
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2922 total posts
Name:
Hillary
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
This is so sad....
I am JAcob's class mom for his kindergarten class. We take allergies very seriously as a school but in his class we have 3 allergies. We had his class party today. I had to email the actual ingredients of the products to the parents and they had to put in writing that it was okay for the child to eat... If they dd not have something in writing than they were not able to eat. This is also why we are not allowed to bring in food that is not pre-made in a box....
ughh-- this could have been avoided if proper policies were in place!!!!
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| Posted 12/21/10 7:41 PM |
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eddiesmommy
best buds!
Member since 5/09 11524 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
oh good lord, that poor little girl and her poor family. 
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| Posted 12/21/10 7:45 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
This terrifies me. Jonah has a level 6 peanut allergy and level 5 egg allergy.
I am going to make him carry an epi pen on him when he goes to school. Plus shouldn't the nurses office have one
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| Posted 12/21/10 7:46 PM |
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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by SweetTooth
This terrifies me. Jonah has a level 6 peanut allergy and level 5 egg allergy.
I am going to make him carry an epi pen on him when he goes to school. Plus shouldn't the nurses office have one
My son has a level 6 peanut allergy as well. Unfortunately, most school districts require the epi-pen to be locked in the nurse's office. The only way to get it is for the teacher to call the nurse and then they will bring the epi-pen to the classroom.
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| Posted 12/21/10 7:52 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by Kidsaplenty
Posted by SweetTooth
This terrifies me. Jonah has a level 6 peanut allergy and level 5 egg allergy.
I am going to make him carry an epi pen on him when he goes to school. Plus shouldn't the nurses office have one
My son has a level 6 peanut allergy as well. Unfortunately, most school districts require the epi-pen to be locked in the nurse's office. The only way to get it is for the teacher to call the nurse and then they will bring the epi-pen to the classroom.
Not true anymore, at least not in NYC. We are now required to carry their pens EVERYWHERE and hand them to another teacher, such as the music teacher or gym teacher. We have a bag for each child that has to be carried everywhere and locked up when the children leave school.
I am sure after this, teachers everywhere will be required to have the pens with them.
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:06 PM |
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imyself
Member since 10/06 2938 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by SweetTooth
This terrifies me. Jonah has a level 6 peanut allergy and level 5 egg allergy.
I am going to make him carry an epi pen on him when he goes to school. Plus shouldn't the nurses office have one
My sister is a kindergarten teacher. When she has a student with a severe allergy she has to carry a fanny pack with an epi pen at all times. Last year she had 3 kids with severe allergies so she had her pack and 3 pens at all times.
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:06 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Our classroom is peanut free.
I guess people do not see the seriousness of it.
At the same time, the increasing use of peanut oil in most processed food has been a determining factor into why people have more allergies now that they did 40 years.
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:08 PM |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by smdl
Our classroom is peanut free.
I think this is happening more and more. The daycare my niece goes to has allergen free classrooms and the school district I live in is peanut free.
It is scary how serious these allergies can be and I am very thankful that schools are starting to take it so seriously.
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:16 PM |
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Peainapod
Peanuts are here!
Member since 1/09 13591 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
good lord...what a terrible story!
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:21 PM |
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MrsH
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/07 766 total posts
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by imyself
Posted by SweetTooth
This terrifies me. Jonah has a level 6 peanut allergy and level 5 egg allergy.
I am going to make him carry an epi pen on him when he goes to school. Plus shouldn't the nurses office have one
My sister is a kindergarten teacher. When she has a student with a severe allergy she has to carry a fanny pack with an epi pen at all times. Last year she had 3 kids with severe allergies so she had her pack and 3 pens at all times.
Is she a teacher on Long Island? I am a teacher on Long Island and we have all epi pens in the nurses office-she carries a universal one in a fanny pack that she wears. In my district, at this point, teachers do not administer epipens at all.
We are afraid to administer them because people have misdiagnosed asthma attacks as an allergic reaction-I would hate to give the epipen for the wrong reason-I would also hate to give it in the wrong way.
I have several children with severe allergies and I have a walkie talkie to communicate with the nurse at all times. This would allow me to let her know immediately what is happening, I would then pick the child up and bring them to her-where she would basically meet me half way in the hallway and administer the epipen.
We also have strict guidelines as how to handle food in the classroom in terms of parties, snacks, eating daily in the cafeteria. I am surprised that a class would even have a party like that knowing that children with food allergies are in the class.
What a tragedy! This is a fear of mine on a daily basis but we are so strict with our protocols, I hope we have covered all of our bases.
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:21 PM |
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MrsA714
Baby #2 is here!
Member since 8/07 8806 total posts
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
How incredibly sad!
My nephew has a peanut allergy and it has made me realize how tough it is. Having to read every label, not being able to take him to just any restaurant, always having to carry his epi pen everywhere. I really feel for all of you that have to deal with food allergies with your LOs 
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:25 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
this is a very sad story.
this is why we have no food for birthday parties or class parties anymore. you just can't be too careful. kids also can't share any food of any kind.
what doesn't make sense to me is that she was a 13 year old gifted student. she wasn't 6 and not fully aware of her allergy. i'm not blaming her in the least, but as far as i know, most chinese places use peanut oil and if she had a severe allergy, i'm surprised she would eat it at all. i wonder if her parents knew she would be having it.
i feel terribly for everyone involved
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:35 PM |
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Kmarie36
LIF Adult
Member since 9/10 1449 total posts
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
What a sad story.
A friend of mine's sister passed away 3 weeks ago (20 yrs old) from a food allergy. She was allergic to dairy, and the place she ordered food from messed up her order. A young life taken way too soon.
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:41 PM |
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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
I wonder if it was documented at the school that she had this allergy. It sounds like it, by the fact that the parent called the restaurant several times to assure that peanuts would not be used.
If it WAS on record, then the bottom line is, the school SHOULD have had an epi-pen for her. I had a student w/ a level 6 peanut allergy in my class...and the nurse's office had an epi-pen, I had one in a tote bag that went with the student to specials, and he also had a spare in his backpack.
I wonder why the seriousness of her condition wasn't heeded...it was such an unnecessary loss...
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:45 PM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
The peanut oil used in asian restaurants is usually different than used in other places...My DS's allergist told us to not give him chinese food as they are known to use the "bad" kind. DS can have most foods made with refined peanut oil, it is considered safe.
This is very sad...what a terrible story..
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:50 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by MrsRivera
If it WAS on record, then the bottom line is, the school SHOULD have had an epi-pen for her.
in my school, the epi pen has to be supplied by the parent. we have parents of kids with severe allergies who refuse, for one reason or another, to leave one at school. we don't understand it. and because it's prescribed, i don't know what the rules are about sharing them with someone else (although i'm sure if someone were having a reaction, the nurse wouldn't hesitate)
but yes, for a student with such a severe allergy, the school should always have an epi pen.
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:54 PM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by MrsRivera
If it WAS on record, then the bottom line is, the school SHOULD have had an epi-pen for her.
in my school, the epi pen has to be supplied by the parent. we have parents of kids with severe allergies who refuse, for one reason or another, to leave one at school. we don't understand it. and because it's prescribed, i don't know what the rules are about sharing them with someone else (although i'm sure if someone were having a reaction, the nurse wouldn't hesitate)
but yes, for a student with such a severe allergy, the school should always have an epi pen.
in johnnys school, the parent NEEDS to provide an epi-pen..i don't get why ANY parents of a child with an allergy would refuse it!!
I asked the nurse once what would happen if there wasn't an epi pen in the classroom and he went into shock..she said they have one in the nurses office that they can use, but they can't use just "any" epi pen without consent...there are lots of regulations regarding it...but thank god they would use one if necessary...
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| Posted 12/21/10 8:59 PM |
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lvdolphins
My Loves!
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
My DS' class/school is peanut free. They ask that we send nothing with peanut.
That poor girl and her family! So Sad! 
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| Posted 12/21/10 9:06 PM |
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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
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Beth
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by MrsRivera
If it WAS on record, then the bottom line is, the school SHOULD have had an epi-pen for her.
in my school, the epi pen has to be supplied by the parent. we have parents of kids with severe allergies who refuse, for one reason or another, to leave one at school. we don't understand it.
 
What in the world makes someone say, "My child has a serious allergy...but, nah, I think we'll pass on the one thing that might be able to save their life if God forbid something happened".
People truly amaze me.
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| Posted 12/22/10 12:26 AM |
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ABCiverson
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Member since 1/06 7465 total posts
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Amanda
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
My 4 year old is diabetic and i am dreading her starting school next year Its already giving me nightmares!
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| Posted 12/22/10 12:45 AM |
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sweetie101
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Member since 5/08 4419 total posts
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
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| Posted 12/22/10 1:14 AM |
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MrsH
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/07 766 total posts
Name:
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Re: Seventh-Grader Dies Of Food Allergy At Chicago School
Posted by maybebaby
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by MrsRivera
If it WAS on record, then the bottom line is, the school SHOULD have had an epi-pen for her.
in my school, the epi pen has to be supplied by the parent. we have parents of kids with severe allergies who refuse, for one reason or another, to leave one at school. we don't understand it. and because it's prescribed, i don't know what the rules are about sharing them with someone else (although i'm sure if someone were having a reaction, the nurse wouldn't hesitate)
but yes, for a student with such a severe allergy, the school should always have an epi pen.
in johnnys school, the parent NEEDS to provide an epi-pen..i don't get why ANY parents of a child with an allergy would refuse it!!
I asked the nurse once what would happen if there wasn't an epi pen in the classroom and he went into shock..she said they have one in the nurses office that they can use, but they can't use just "any" epi pen without consent...there are lots of regulations regarding it...but thank god they would use one if necessary...
We have students in my school that have severe allergies to a variety of things, and some parents drag their feet sending an epipen in-I think that can be reported to CPS though.
I don't really think making a school peanut free is necessarily the answer-I have a student in my class that is allergic to 7 different types of foods-are we going to start to eliminate all foods that any students are allergic to? There are also several students in my school that are allergic to dairy, food dyes, etc. You just can't eliminate all of that, you need protocols in place to deal with it.
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| Posted 12/22/10 7:00 AM |
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