We have students and staff with allergies to various products such as nuts, milk, and fragrances. Therefore Bridgeport continues to be a nut-free and fragrance-free school. Please make sure the food you send to school does not have nuts or traces of nuts. Again this year we are asking for you not to send in treats on birthdays or other events / holidays unless given specific direction from the teacher. All products coming into school at that time must be packaged and the ingredients listed on the label.

A Note About Peanut Butter Substitutes: A new substitute peanut butter product is being marketed to consumers as a safe alternative for children to bring to schools in place of peanut butter. The Waterloo Region District School Board asks that parents refrain from including these kinds of products in your child’s lunches or snacks. These products tend to look, taste, and smell very much like peanut butter. While the product is nut free, it mimics a known allergen that causes anaphylaxis in some children to the degree that it is indistinguishable from the allergen. It is a convincing substitute, opening up the possibility that it can be confused as peanut butter, or worse yet, peanut butter could be confused as this soy-based product. The safety and health of our students is our first priority, which is why our schools have procedures in place to minimize risk of anaphylaxis reactions in our students. We sincerely appreciate your cooperation in avoiding the use of these products to assist in our continued efforts to create a safe, caring and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.