A girl with a peanut allergy

Amanda Van Spronsen avoids peanuts.

But she also wants to avoid the large needle of the EpiPen, which can save her life.

So during school lunch, the 9-year-old moves when she notices a classmate eating a peanut butter sandwich.

"She's very responsible," her mom, Tracie Van Spronsen, said.

Next year, Amanda, who has never had to use her EpiPen, will have a new choice at school. The district, which just passed an allergy policy, is setting up peanut-free tables in its elementary school cafeterias.

"I think that's a great idea," her mom said. "I think that anything we do to make it safe for the kids at school is going to be helpful."

"It's absolutely mandatory," said Dr. Stuart Stoloff, a Carson City pediatrician, who advocated for legislation allowing students to carry EpiPens. "Kids die from peanuts. It's called anaphylaxis (shock)."

The new policy allows food-substitution forms to be brought in for alternative options in the cafeteria. Students using the form must have a emergency-health-care plan on file.

"I think (having a policy is) excellent, because it's consistent," Tracie said. "From school to school, from elementary to middle to high school, it's going to be consistent. The nurses at every site are following the same plan."

For those with a peanut allergy, interaction can cause throat-tightening, rashes, abdominal discomfort, wheezing, an acute asthmatic-like episode, collapse or death.

That's why the EpiPen has to be administered immediately.

The first dose goes into the thigh; a second needs to follow within five minutes.

Last year, Amanda began carrying her EpiPen on a belt on her waist, as allowed by the new law. Staff in the cafeteria were trained. Previously, Amanda's EpiPens were stored by her teacher and school nurse.

"I suppose you always worry (about your child) because there's always potentially going to be peanuts out there, no matter how many safeguards you set up," her mom said.

She used to let Amanda eat Mark Twain Elementary school lunches once a week. That changed when she ate "questionable" foods a few times.

Now, Amanda takes a lunch from home. She uses a placemat on the cafeteria table to prevent contact from peanut-oil residues. Amanda also checks the packaging of any food products she buys at school, even favorite standbys, because the ingredients can change.

Her mother requests classroom parties use foods that are peanut-free. For more information on food allergies, see www.foodallergy.org.

"I'm pretty pro-active, and you really have to be as a parent," Tracie said. "The school district does a lot, and they're there if you work with them. I try to meet them half way with everything that we do."

Head Start Building nearing completion

Stewart Indian Colony's Head Start building should be compete and ready to move into soon, meaning new facilities for the 3-to-5-year-old preschoolers it serves.

"We'll probably be 90 percent done by the end of next week," said Gil Gonzales, director of Head Start for the Washoe Tribe.

The 5,100-square-foot building will contain four classrooms, a kitchen, administrative offices and two full-size children's bathrooms.

The colony program has been run out of the Stewart Community Center for years. Construction of the Head Start building, next door to the community center, began several years ago.

Metcalf Builders is now applying final touches, like plumbing and cabinetry. U.S. Air Force volunteers, who arrived in April to jump start the stalled construction process, left last week, according to Gonzales.

Applications are being accepted for the free preschool, which should open Sept. 11. all children are accepted.

The Washoe Tribe runs two Head Start programs - the one at the Stewart Colony and one on the Dresslerville Colony in Douglas County. Children with disabilities and special needs can also apply. Call 265-1074 for an application.

• Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.