Orchard Farms PTO

The Providence Journal is reporting in their Tuesday, November 20th, edition that Cranston schools put tree nut ban on hold. Their article discusses the School Committee's rationale for the proposed ban and their change of position.

Noticibly absent from the article is any mention of the level of public presence at the meeting and what the general sentiment was. If you were present at this meeting please discuss your experience in a comment to this story.

The Cranston School Committee is meeting this evening, 7PM at Western Hills Middle School, to discuss the adoption of a draconian City-Wide Nut-Free Policy which goes far beyond current RI Law # 2007 H 56Aaa. Orchard Farms Elementary School is already in compliance with this law, which was created to protect children with tree nut and peanut allergies.

If the school committee passes this new policy your child will no longer be able to bring some of the following foods to school:

The Cranston School Committee will hold the first reading of a policy implementing a total ban of all peanuts and tree nuts from the Cranston Public Schools at a 7PM meeting at Western Hills Middle School on Monday, November 19th.

The concern over peanut and tree nut allergies has already resulted in the institution of nut-free luchroom tables, classrooms, and the termination of the 5th Grade Snack Shop fundraiser during recess. A total prohibition of peanut / tree nut products would have far reaching effects because many commercial food products either contain nuts or are processed in factories, or with equipment, which also process nuts or nut products.