Volunteer to speak at a PSD School Board Meeting

Catherine is soliciting volunteers to speak at the Poudre School District School Board Meetings. For more information, please contact her as well as check out the PSD website: psdschools.org click on Board of Education

Dear Members, Attached is an update on Poudre School District School Board Meeting speaking schedule. We are slowly filling spots. My goal is to have 1 parent speak with each Dr. that signs up. Currently, I have 1 Dr. that I would like to match with a parent. The speaking schedule was created to inform School Board about food allergies. An educated School Board can make better decisions.... Thank you, Catherine

Advocating for Food Allergy Management in Poudre School District RE:

Implementation of SB09-226

Why it is important to Poudre School District School Board Meetings 6:30 pm Boardroom Johansen Support Services Center 2407 LaPorte Ave.

Tuesday March 23-

Doctor: Dr. Kujawska/Someone HERE?

Tuesday April 27- Doctor: Dr. James/Parent: R.T. *

Please watch for changes in meeting schedule via: psdschools.org click on Board of Education

Congratulations Amy!

A message from Catherine:

Dear Members,

Amy Asher RN for Poudre School District was awarded the FAAN scholarship to attend the National School Nurse Conference in Chicago in June! If she is your school nurse or you know her give her a CONGRATULAIONS and thank you for taking the time to learn more about managing food allergies in school!

From Catherine

Our Legislators Regarding Food Allergies in School

Dear Members,

Thursday December 11 was a meeting called PSD Legislation Summit. In attendance was, but not limited to: Senator Bob Bacon, Rep. John Kefalas, Rep. Randy Fisher, PSD Super. Wilson, and US Congresswoman Betsy Markey. The following question was read by the Moderator:

"Several State legislatures have recently passed laws regarding food allergy management in public education facilities. Legislation is currently pending in the U.S. House of Reps. and I have heard legislation may be introduced in the Colo. House. Are you aware of this? And are you an advocate for it?"

None of the above listed attendees voiced knowledge of the food allergy legislation. One or more stated Colo. is an on site managed school system and these matters may be better managed on a local/individual level.

This meeting can be viewed on the PSD Cable Channel 10 or contact district for other ways to view so you can generate your view of this issue...

Catherine

Cooking Class for allergies

Dear Members,

I am pleased to offer a cooking class lead by Linda Hoffman a local chef and avid student of nutrition. Linda runs a business called Back to the Table that offers cooking classes and catering. Linda specializes in whole foods cooking and nutrition. Linda also writes a column for the Coloradoan featured on Wednesday mornings.

Details: The class is specially designed for parents dealing with food allergies focusing on healthy fats that include: coconut oil, butter or ghee, avocado oil, and pumpkin seed oil (no tree nut or peanut). Class will cook a meal that will involve chicken or fish and vegetables. Included will be several recipes for quick dinners and snacks, how to cook wild and brown rice and oats quickly, and possible substitutions for items family may have allergies to. Linda will also include nutrition information and local farmer contacts for fruits, vegetables, and pasture raised animals.

For more information on Linda please look up her website at: www.comebacktothetable.com

*PLEASE CONTACT ME BY DECEMBER 17 IF INTERESTED. RESERVATIONS WILL BE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE AND MUST HAVE 8 PEOPLE. CLASS FEE IS $40.00. DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 18, 2009 5:00 PM-8:00PM.*

Happy Holidays!
Catherine
rcateck (at) msn.com

GoPetition.com

I just learned of this site GoPetition.com and was thrilled. Not growing up here, writing petitions is not easy and this makes it very easy to get parents/caregivers voices together, e.g. so we could work on the school district to establish policies on food allergies!

Inspiring Children with Allergies Network (I-CAN)

Leader of local food allergy support group I-CAN (Inspiring Children with Allergies Network)has asked the group, if anyone might be interested in a "magazine share" group.

Each person in the group has a different magazine subscription and we share our monthly issues? ... I thought this would be a fun way to get the benefit without the pocket book. Magazines such as: Living Without, Prevention, Heathly Living, FAAN Membership (share newsletters), and many more. Let me know if interested-Catherine (rcateck (at) msn.com)

A great idea. She has been organizing I-CAN with our own meetings, coordinated meetings with local Asthma education group, Egg-free-Egg-Hunting and other fun events.

I-CAN has a mailing list that Catherine maintains, as well as a Yahoo Group another member (Pam) maintains. We are run by volunteers, mostly parents of children who have food allergic children. Some has other conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis as well.

Through mailing lists, we try to exchange information about doctors, experiences, how to work with schools etc. One project a couple of members are working on right now is, to implement a policy in the school district regarding food allergies. More information on that could be found on this link.

For more information about the group, please contact Catherine (rcateck (at) msn.com, 226-6181).