NEPN/NSBA Code: JLCEA

SCHOOL GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING STUDENTS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES 

The School Committee recognizes that food allergies can pose a significant threat to the health of students. It is the policy of Lewiston Public Schools to work with students, staff, parents, and physicians to minimize risks and provide a safe educational environment for food-allergic students. 

Family's Responsibility 

Parents of students with food allergies are responsible to: 

• Notify the school of the child's allergies. 

• Provide written medical documentation from the student’s physician describing the student’s allergy, avoidance measures, typical symptoms, and describing appropriate actions and/or application of medications in an emergency situation. The attached Food Allergy Action Plan should be used as a guide. Include a photo of the child on written form. 

• Work with the school team to develop an Individual Health Plan and/or Emergency Plan that accommodates the child's needs throughout the school including in the classroom, in the cafeteria, in after-care programs, during school sponsored activities, and on the school bus.

• Provide the school nurse with properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration. 

• Educate the child in the self-management of their food allergy including: o safe and unsafe foods 

o  strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods 

o   symptoms of allergic reactions 

o   how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem 

o  how to read food labels (age appropriate) 

• Review policies/procedures with the school staff, the child's physician, and the child (if age appropriate) after a reaction has occurred. 

• Provide emergency contact information, and physician contact information to the school. 

School's Responsibility 

• School personnel shall comply with all state and federal laws that may be applicable to a student with allergies, including the ADA, IDEA, Section 504, and FERPA and any district policies that apply. School personnel shall develop and maintain an Individualized Education Plan and/or a Section 504 Plan for such students when appropriate. 

• Food-allergic students shall be included in school activities to the fullest extent possible. Food-allergic students will not be excluded from school activities or discriminated against solely based on the existence of a food allergy. 

• School personnel shall comply with all federal/state/district laws and regulations regarding the privacy of and/or sharing of medical information about the student. 

• Lewiston Public Schools will not tolerate threats or harassment against an allergic child. Such threats, harassment, or other discriminatory activity will be taken seriously, and will be investigated promptly. 

• For each food-allergic student, the school will identify a core team consisting of, but not limited to, the school nurse, teacher(s), principal, school food service and nutrition manager/director, custodial staff, and counselor (if available) to work with parents and the student (age appropriate) to establish an Individual Health Plan and/or Emergency Plan. Changes to the Plan(s) to promote food allergy management should be made with core team participation. 

• The school will ensure that staff who interact with the student on a regular basis have received training and understand food allergies, are able to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction, have been trained in emergency procedures, and are familiar with the specific medical procedures applicable to that individual student in the event of an allergic reaction. In addition, the school will work with other school staff as appropriate to eliminate the use of food allergens in the allergic student's meals, educational tools, arts and crafts projects, or incentives. 

• The school nurse is responsible for ensuring that student medications are appropriately stored, and that an emergency kit is available that contains a physician's standing order for that student to receive epinephrine, or other medications, as appropriate. To the extent permitted by Maine law, medications may be kept in an accessible secure location central to designated school personnel. In some cases, students may be allowed to carry their own epinephrine, if age appropriate, after approval from the student’s physician/clinic, parent and school nurse, and if allowed by state or local regulations. 

• Pursuant to Policies JLCD, JLCD-R, certain other designated school personnel are properly trained to administer medications in accordance with the laws governing the administration of emergency medications. A staff member who is properly trained to administer medications shall be available during the school day. The school has developed procedures to deal with emergency situations that may occur at school. See Policies JLCE, JLCE-R. 

• The school shall practice implementing a Food Allergy Emergency Plan before an allergic reaction occurs to assure the   efficiency/effectiveness of the Plan. 

• In the event that an allergic reaction does occur at school, a review of the emergency response and the student’s emergency plan will be conducted with the core team members, parents/guardians, student (age appropriate), and physician after a reaction has occurred. Any modifications deemed appropriate may be made to the student’s plan. 

• The school will ensure that staff who interact with the student on a regular basis have received training and understand food allergies, are able to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction, have been trained in emergency procedures, and are familiar with the specific medical procedures applicable to that individual student in the event of an allergic reaction. In addition, the school will work with other school staff as appropriate to eliminate the use of food allergens in the allergic student's meals, educational tools, arts and crafts projects, or incentives. 

• All students, including those with food allergies, are eligible to participate in school lunch and other meal programs. As part of a student’s Individual Health Plan, the school will make reasonable accommodations to the students’ needs. This may include the preparation of special meals meeting the student’s dietary requirements, and may also include the designation of certain areas of the cafeteria as “allergy free” zones for student use. Depending on the age and needs of the child, the child’s plan will address a means by which cafeteria staff can identify specific students and their needs at the point of receiving food in the cafeteria. 

• As appropriate, custodial staff will be educated concerning the need for cleaning and the type of cleaning solutions appropriate for use. It may be necessaryfor tables and desks and cafeteria tables to which the student has access be washed. 

• The school will coordinate with the district transportation administrator to assure that school bus driver training includes training on allergic reactions, symptom awareness, and proper response in the event of an allergic reaction. Lewiston Public Schools buses will be equipped with communication devices for use in case of emergency. Drivers will receive training on the proper use of such equipment. 

• Lewiston Public Schools will enforce a "no eating" policy on school buses with exceptions made only to accommodate students having special needs under federal or similar laws, or school district policy. All such special needs exceptions to the “no eating” policy must be approved in advance by the principal. 

• A student’s Individual Health Plan/Emergency Plan will include any measures necessary to protect the student at school sponsored events, including field trips. Appropriate strategies for managing the food allergy on such trips/events will be a part of the student’s Individual Health Plan. The school staff member(s) overseeing a school event/trip are responsible to ensure that all appropriate measures have been taken for each food-allergic student participating, as outlined in the student’s plan. In addition, arrangement for access to necessary medications during the trip/event will be made. The responsible staff member will also be responsible for familiarizing himself/herself with the student specific needs and any emergency procedures. 

• Staff should discourage all students from trading any food with others. 

Student's Responsibility 

Students with food allergies, as appropriate based on age, are responsible to: 

• Not trade food with others. 

• Not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen. 

•  Be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions based on their developmental level. 

•  Notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain the food to which they are allergic or if they begin to develop symptoms that are related to their allergy. 

Cross Reference: JLCD – Administering Medicines to Students 

JLCD-R – Authorization to Administer Medicines to Students 

JLCE – First Aid and Emergency Medical Care 

JLCE-R – First Aid – Procedures 

Approved: December 8, 2003 

Reviewed: September 24, 2012