Boston City Councilor John M. Tobin, Jr. invites the public to testify at a public hearing this week where the City Council’s Education Committee will discuss the Boston Public Schools’ policy concerning students with food allergies.

The hearing is scheduled for Friday, November 30 at City Hall at 12:00 noon and is open to the public. Councillor Tobin urges parents, students and educators to participate in the hearing.

“The safety of children with allergies can be seriously compromised if they are exposed to certain foods,” said Councillor Tobin, who serves as the Vice Chair of the City Council’s Education Committee. “It is our responsibility to make sure that the Boston Public Schools have a clear and consistent policy for dealing with students with food allergies. We need to ensure that administrators, parents, teachers and kids are all working together to protect kids while they are in our classrooms and cafeterias.”

Today food allergy policies differ from school to school, said Councillor Tobin, adding each school has developed its own way to accommodate children with food allergies. He is encouraging a system-wide policy so that parents, teachers and students know the rules and restrictions regarding food. Councillor Tobin encouraged parents, educators and medical professionals to attend the hearing and share their experiences and ideas for helping students.