Prior to October of 2002 I had no knowledge regarding food allergies or how to deal with them. Fast forward to 2012 where I have a 9-year-old son with severe/life-threatening food allergies and I know more than I ever cared to. I don't expect teachers and staff to be trained to the very highest levels, however I do think more could be done to help these children to feel like they are not outcasts. Example: How do you manage a situation where you have three children in one classroom with different allergies? Do you ban foods from the classroom that affect one child, but not the other two? Do you ban all foods involved? Do you ban food entirely? It would be helpful, in my opinion, if the staff would be trained on (1)what having an allergy means ...hint: it doesn't mean being lactose intolerant (2) how to help children with allergies to feel included at their school (3) how to manage their classrooms/facilites safely in regards to food issues.