Special Events

TIMES2 Allergy Notice

For the PDF version of this post as well as a version in Spanish, click here.
Dear members of TIMES² STEM Academy community,

The health and safety of all students at TIMES² STEM Academy is our priority. Several students have been diagnosed with cases of Anaphylaxis allergic reactions to Kiwi today. We are requesting your help in keeping our students safe.

The Kiwi distributed to students today is a part of a Fruit and Vegetable program that many schools in the city of Providence are taking advantage of. Due to these severe reactions we endured today. Times2 has decided to not participate in this Fruit and Vegetable Program moving forward.

A severe food allergy is a reaction to a food that may cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can cause breathing problems, hives, low blood pressure, shock, and even death. Anaphylaxis is very rapid in onset and may even cause the death of a student if left untreated. Children with a severe food allergy must avoid that food totally.

Many children even react if the food gets on their skin or if they smell the food. Care must be taken to prevent the child from touching or eating the offending food. Therefore, we are asking your cooperation as we put the following guidelines into effect.

• Please do not send any Kiwi or anything containing Kiwi to be eaten as a snack in the classroom or to be eaten in the cafeteria.
• We will not be doing any classroom projects that involve the food allergen. Please do not send any of these projects into the classroom with your child.
• For any parties or special celebrations in our classroom, please avoid sending products that have the food allergen listed in the ingredients.
• Children will be encouraged to wash their hands before and after lunch. We would greatly appreciate your making sure that your child’s hands are washed with soap and water before leaving for school. Water alone will not wash off the allergen.

We ask that you monitor your child for any allergy-related issues. If you have any questions or concerns about food allergy-related issues please do not hesitate to get in touch with our school nurse, Rachael Cassidy at 401-272-5094 Ext. 406. We appreciate your help.

Sincerely,
Rachael Cassidy
School Nurse

Edna Attias
Administrator