Augusta County School Board

AUGUSTA COUNTY SCHOOLS OFFICE OF PUPIL SERVICES P.O. Box 960 Verona, VA 24482

School Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies

Food allergies can be life threatening and are becoming more prevalent. The risk of accidental exposure to food allergens in the school environment can be reduced if the schools work with students, parents and physicians to minimize the risks and provide a safe academic environment for students with allergies.

Family’s Responsibility

 Notify the school of the child’s allergies (emergency care cards and contact school clinic directly).  Work with the school team to develop a plan that accommodates the child’s needs throughout the school including the classroom, the cafeteria, in after-care programs, during school-sponsored activities and on the school bus. The RN regional coordinator should contact you based on the information on the emergency care card.  Provide written medical documentation, medication forms, instructions and medications as directed by a physician.  Provide accurate parent contact information for times when the child is at school or school sponsored activities.  Review policies/procedures with the school staff, the child’s physician, and the child, after a reaction has occurred.  Packing your child’s lunch at home is the best way to avoid all allergens. Provide safe snacks and treats for class celebrations.  Educate the child in the self-management of their allergies including: *safe and unsafe foods *not to share food at any time, or accept food from others *strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods or allergens *symptoms of allergic reactions *how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergic reaction *how to read food labels (age appropriate) *teach the importance of frequent hand washing

School’s Responsibility

 Review the health records submitted by parents and physicians.  Include students in school activities. Students should not be excluded from school activities based solely on their food or other allergy.  Cafeteria tables should be cleaned before each meal period, with appropriate disinfectants/cleansers. Allergen free tables may be designated at the discretion of the principal and RN regional coordinator.  Identify a core team of the school nurse or clinic aide, teacher, school nutrition supervisor, and dietitian to work with parents and the student to develop a prevention plan. Changes to the plan to promote allergy management should be made with core team participation.  Distribute Emergency Alert cards to all staff that have regular contact with the student and instruct them on recognizing symptoms of an allergic reaction and what to do in an emergency. Work with school staff to eliminate the use of food allergens in the allergic student’s meals, educational tools, arts and crafts projects, or incentives.  Identify Food Allergic students to school nutrition staff. Maintain list of students/specific allergies in food preparation area. Clinic aide or RN can provide list of students after reviewing emergency care cards.  Foods containing peanuts and tree nuts will be labeled in the cafeteria line with both a written identification and picture identification for younger students. Due to staff variability and food substitutions, these are a warning only that those foods may contain peanut/nut allergens.  Coordinate with the school nurse to be sure medications are properly stored and available, along with the physician’s order for the dipenhydramine or epinephrine. Medications should be kept in a secure location central to designated school personnel. Students should be allowed to carry their own epinephrine, if age appropriate after approval from the student’s physician, parent and school nurse.  Designate school personnel who are properly trained to administer medications in accordance with the State Nursing and Good Samaritan Laws governing the administration of emergency medications (MAT training given by one of the RN regional coordinators). The primary teachers of highly allergic students should be trained in epinephrine administration.  Staff member should be available to administer medications during the school day, regardless of time or location.  Core team should review plan after reaction has occurred.  School bus drivers for kids that have a history of anaphylaxis will receive training in symptoms of an allergic reaction, what to do in an emergent situation and the administration of epinephrine as indicated. RN or Clinic Aide will notify Transportation administrator of list of students and times training will be done for bus drivers.  Enforce “no eating” policy on school buses with exceptions made only to accommodate special needs under district policy (such as diabetic management)  Plan field trips with the family of food allergic children to include meals, snacks and appropriate management of the allergy, including taking epi-pen if applicable.

Student’s Responsibility

 Never trade food or accept food from others under any circumstances  Tell school nutrition staff of allergy. Ask questions about food choices.  Do not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain allergens.  Based on age and developmental level, should be active in the care and management of their allergies.  Notify an adult immediately upon eating any food containing or believed to contain an allergen, or any contact with a substance which causes an allergic reaction.  Based on age and developmental level, inform friends and classmates of allergies and ask for their cooperation in preventing exposures.