The school year is winding down, believe it or not. Our children have made it through another year of school and dance, swim, ball, piano, chess, whatever it is that they take for their extracurricular activities. Recitals are upon us, playoffs, graduations, all kinds of events. It is a busy time of year, so busy that we often forget things, even the things we promise ourselves we are going to do.

This is your reminder to make sure you don’t forget one important thing. Amidst the coach’s gifts and teacher gifts, parties and ceremonies, please remember to say a very important thank you to all of the teachers, coaches, religious school leaders, anyone who has had interaction with you and your child and their allergy.

Whether or not there ever was a need for them to take action on your child’s allergy, be sure to thank them for their support, their understanding, their awareness and their patience. There was a time they probably made the extra effort to check ingredients or ask your child if a certain snack was OK. They may have even called you to double check. They may have sent that extra letter home to remind parents what needed to be avoided, or they may have supplied an allergy free snack on their own.

They may have gone the extra step and done a little awareness unit on allergies, or simply given support to your child if it was needed. They may have stayed quiet the whole year and never mentioned allergies, but kept a watchful eye out for a reaction. They may have been the one who remembered your child’s Epipen on a field trip, or guided your child away from the anthill at the ball field.

There have been the ones who have had to act when symptoms arose. Did one of your teachers or coaches administer an Epipen or give some Benadryl when it was necessary? Did someone intercede if there was teasing? With all these allergies around us, it really does bring another facet to the jobs of those in charge of our kids.

Take the time to say “thanks!” You don’t have to buy an extra gift or spend more money (we all know we’re spread thin this time of year!), but just a note or a verbal thank you will let them know you appreciate it. With a thank you, they are more prone to keep up the good work. With a thank you, they are more prone to spread awareness themselves. With a thank you, they are more prone to want to help and learn what they can about allergies. With a thank you, they will feel appreciated.