Re: peanut allergy. That is a very serious allergy and the prohibition against the other children bringing the offensive substances to school is for a valid reason. The "essences" get into the air that the allergic child breathes and can put him/her into the hospital -- or worse, kill him.
My granddaughter was visiting last week, and I had to make my house a "nut free" zone. That is why my office is presently stocked with pistachio nuts. But, my husband and I had to remember to wash our hands after consuming them if we were going to meet our granddaughter for lunch -- as we did several time during her visit.
You would be amazed at how many products are forbidden. If you carefully read the labels of many bakery items you will see that they often state, "producted in a facility that also uses nuts." Those items are forbidden too.
My son-in-law had a horrible experience in his office one day. He is in the publishing business and a traveling editor came in to work on a project. They were working well into the night to meet a deadline and the staff ordered out for food. The lady knew she was allergic to peanuts and informed everyone. THey were ordering CHinese, so they were careful to order all the dishes without nuts. However, they forgot that almost all Chinese food is prepared with peanut oil.
To make a long story short, the visiting editor ate the food and had a reaction and DIED before the para-medics could arrive!
I understand the seriousness of it.
However, the question is, why is it that my child cannot bring peanut butter to school if there is an allergy? Why should she not be allowed to bring a sandwich because of someone else's allergy. (Understand that my child does not eat meat and peanutbutter is the only protein she would get at lunch).
You state that you have nuts in your office and take precautions. If my child had a serious nut allergy, I would isolate him/her, not expect the entire school to take the precautions for me.
Sorry, but to me, restricting the entire school for one child is backward.