Dear Parents/Guardians:

We have some children in the Bridgewater Raritan Regional School District that have allergies to

nuts, peanuts and peanut based products.  We have learned through consultation with our

pediatric allergists as well as our own research that nuts and/or peanuts can cause an allergic

reaction that is among the most severe of any food – ranging from hives and itching, to difficulty

breathing and possibly cardiac arrest.  The seriousness of the allergy is compounded by the fact

that the food does not have to be ingested to cause a reaction – simply touching someone or

something that has had contact with a peanut based product can result in severe consequences.  

Even trace amounts of residue of peanut material (e.g. on a table or toy) may induce a reaction.  

This letter is to inform you that there is a student in your child’s class who has a severe allergy.  

This student is highly allergic to nuts of any kind which includes peanuts and peanut butter.  Due

to the severity of this situation it is imperative that this child avoid these foods completely.  This

allergy is so severe that if he/she comes in contact with any of the above foods he/she may suffer

from a severe, life-threatening reaction, which may require immediate medical attention.  

Please be aware that it is extremely dangerous for this child to even come in close proximity to

the offending foods.  In the instances where you wish to send in a snack for all students in the

classroom, it is your responsibility to please notify the teacher in advance so he/she can ask this

child’s parents to send in a “safe snack/food” for the allergic student.  

At this time we are requesting that all snacks or treats that are brought into the classroom for any

reason do not contain nuts, peanuts, or peanut butter. Please carefully check the ingredients if you

have any doubts.  

One other important item to acknowledge is hand washing.  By frequently washing your hands

you wash away germs that you have picked up from other people and/or from contaminated

surfaces.  When dealing with food allergies, hand washing with soap and water is an essential

detail.  We ask that you have your child wash their hands prior to getting on the bus or entering

the school from home to help prevent any reactions.  

We thank you in advance for your cooperation with this situation.  

Matthew J.  Lembo

Principal