Connor Burke has had to avoid eating nuts and legumes since he was 2 years old. If he doesn’t, he may have an allergic reaction so severe that he stops breathing.

Now in kindergarten at Bell Graham Elementary School in St. Charles, Connor has an epinephrine pen and Benadryl at school just in case he comes into contact with an allergen in the lunch room or classroom. Avoiding an allergic reaction takes the support of teachers, school nurses and lunch room aides, said his mother, Ann-Marie Burke.

“It’s interesting because through the years, peanut allergies have increased, and there’s been an increase in food allergies,” she said. “The good thing is the school district has adapted to that, changed their policy and made it more accommodating.”