STUDENTS
School attendance may increase a student’s risk of exposure to allergens that could trigger anaphylaxis. Students at risk for anaphylaxis benefit from a Board of Education policy that coordinates a planned response in the event of an anaphylactic emergency. Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction from exposure to allergens that is rapid in onset and can cause death. Common allergens include animal dander, fish, latex, milk, shellfish, tree nuts, eggs, insect venom, medications, peanuts, soy, and wheat. A severe allergic reaction usually occurs quickly; death has been reported to occur within minutes. An anaphylactic reaction can also occur up to one to two hours after exposure to the allergen.
While it is not possible for the District to completely eliminate the risks of an anaphylactic emergency when a student is at school, an Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program using a cooperative effort among students’ families, staff members, students, health care providers, emergency medical services, and the community helps the District reduce these risks and provide accommodations and proper treatment for anaphylactic reactions.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement an Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program for the prevention and treatment of anaphylaxis that:
1. Fully implements the Ill. State Board of Education (ISBE)’s model policy required by the School Code that: (a) relates to the care and response to a person having an anaphylaxis reaction, (b) addresses the use of epinephrine in a school setting, (c) provides a full food allergy and prevention of allergen exposure plan, and (d) aligns with 105 ILCS 5/22-30 and 23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.540.
2. Ensures staff members receive appropriate training, including: (a) an in-service training program for staff who work with students that is conducted by a person with expertise in anaphylactic reactions and management, and (b) training required by law for those staff members acting as trained personnel, as provided in 105 ILCS 5/22-30 and 23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.540.
3. Implements and maintains a supply of undesignated epinephrine in the name of the District, in accordance with policy 7:270, Administering Medicines to Students.
4. Follows and references the applicable best practices specific to the District’s needs in the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in Schools and Early Care and Education Programs and the National Association of School Nurses Allergies and Anaphylaxis Resources/Checklists.
5. Provides annual notice to the parents/guardians of all students to make them aware of this policy.
6. Complies with State and federal law and is in alignment with Board policies.
Monitoring
Pursuant to State law and policy 2:240, Board Policy Development, the Board reviews and makes any necessary updates to this policy at least once every three years. The Superintendent or designee shall assist the Board with its review and any necessary updates.
LEGAL REF.:
105 ILCS 5/2-3.190, 5/10-22.39, and 5/22-30.
23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.540.
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Anaphylaxis Response Policy for Illinois Schools, published by ISBE.
CROSS REF.: 4:110 (Transportation), 4:120 (Food Services), 4:170 (Safety), 5:100 (Staff
Development Program), 6:120 (Education of Children with Disabilities), 6:240 (Field Trips and
Recreational Class Trips), 7:180 (Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation and
Harassment), 7:250 (Student Support Services), 7:270 (Administering Medicines to Students), 8:100 (Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies)
Adopted: May 20, 2024
STUDENTS
7:270 Administering Medicines to Students
Students should not take medication during school hours or during school-related activities unless it is
necessary for a student's health and well-being. When a student's licensed health care provider and
parent/guardian believe that it is necessary for the student to take a medication during school hours or
school-related activities, the parent/guardian must request that the school dispense the medication to
the child and otherwise follow the District's procedures on dispensing medication.
No School District employee shall administer to any student, or supervise a student's self-
administration of, any prescription or non-prescription medication until a completed and signed
School Medication Authorization Form (SMA Form) is submitted by the student's parent/guardian.
No student shall possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication on school
grounds or at a school-related function other than as provided for in this policy and its implementing
procedures.
Nothing in this policy shall prohibit any school employee from providing emergency assistance to
students, including administering medication.
The Building Principal shall include this policy in the Student Handbook and shall provide a copy to the
parents/guardians of students.
Self-Administration of Medication
A student may possess and self-administer an epinephrine injector, e.g., EpiPen®, and/or asthma
medication prescribed for use at the student's discretion, provided the student's parent/guardian has
completed and signed an SMA Form. The Superintendent or designee will ensure an Emergency
Action Plan is developed for each self-administering student.
A student may self-administer medication required under a qualifying plan, provided the student's
parent/guardian has completed and signed an SMA Form. A qualifying plan means: (1) an asthma
action plan, (2) an Individual Health Care Action Plan, (3) an Ill. Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan
and Treatment Authorization Form, (4) a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, or (5) a plan pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The District shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising
from a student's self-administration of medication, including asthma medication or epinephrine
injectors, or medication required under a qualifying plan. A student's parent/guardian must indemnify
and hold harmless the District and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim
based on willful and wanton conduct, arising out of a student's self-administration of an epinephrine
injector, asthma medication, and/or a medication required under a qualifying plan.
School District Supply of Undesignated Asthma Medication
The Superintendent or designee shall implement 105 ILCS 5/22-30(f) and maintain a supply of
undesignated asthma medication in the name of the District and provide or administer them as
necessary according to State law. Undesignated asthma medication means an asthma medication
prescribed in the name of the District or one of its schools. A school nurse or trained personnel, as
defined in State law, may administer an undesignated asthma medication to a person when they, in
good faith, believe a person is having respiratory distress. Respiratory distress may be characterized
as mild-to-moderate or severe. Each building administrator and/or his or her corresponding school
nurse shall maintain the names of trained personnel who have received a statement of certification
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pursuant to State law.
School District Supply of Undesignated Epinephrine Injectors
The Superintendent or designee shall implement 105 ILCS 5/22-30(f) and maintain a supply of
undesignated epinephrine injectors in the name of the District and provide or administer them as
necessary according to State law. Undesignated epinephrine injector means an epinephrine injector
prescribed in the name of the District or one of its schools. A school nurse or trained personnel, as
defined in State law, may administer an undesignated epinephrine injector to a person when they, in
good faith, believe a person is having an anaphylactic reaction. Each building administrator and/or his
or her corresponding school nurse shall maintain the names of trained personnel who have received a
statement of certification pursuant to State law.
School District Supply of Undesignated Opioid Antagonists
The Superintendent or designee shall implement 105 ILCS 5/22-30(f) and maintain a supply of
undesignated opioid antagonists in the name of the District and provide or administer them as
necessary according to State law. Opioid antagonist means a drug that binds to opioid receptors and
blocks or inhibits the effect of opioids acting on those receptors, including, but not limited to, naloxone
hydrochloride or any other similarly acting drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Undesignated opioid antagonist is not defined by the School Code; for purposes of this policy it
means an opioid antagonist prescribed in the name of the District or one of its schools. A school
nurse or trained personnel, as defined in State law, may administer an undesignated opioid
antagonist to a person when they, in good faith, believe a person is having an opioid overdose. Each
building administrator and/or his or her corresponding school nurse shall maintain the names of
trained personnel who have received a statement of certification pursuant to State law. See the
website for the Ill. Dept. of Human Services for information about opioid prevention, abuse, public
awareness, and a toll-free number to provide information and referral services for persons with
questions concerning substance abuse treatment.
Administration of Medical Cannabis
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act allows a medical cannabis infused
product to be administered to a student by one or more of the following individuals:
1. A parent/guardian of a student who is a minor who registers with the Ill. Dept. of Public Health
(IDPH) as a designated caregiver to administer medical cannabis to their child. A designated
caregiver may also be another individual other than the student's parent/guardian. Any
designated caregiver must be at least 21 years old and is allowed to administer a medical
cannabis infused product to a child who is a student on the premises of his or her school or on
his or her school bus if:
a. Both the student and the designated caregiver possess valid registry identification cards
issued by IDPH;
b. Copies of the registry identification cards are provided to the District;
c. That student's parent/guardian completed, signed, and submitted a School Medication
Authorization Form - Medical Cannabis; and
d. After administering the product to the student, the designated caregiver immediately
removes it from school premises or the school bus.
2. A properly trained school nurse or administrator, who shall be allowed to administer the medical
cannabis infused product to the student on the premises of the child's school, at a school-
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sponsored activity, or before/after normal school activities, including while the student is in
before-school or after-school care on school-operated property or while being transported on a
school bus.
3. The student him or herself when the self-administration takes place under the direct supervision
of a school nurse or administrator.
Medical cannabis infused product (product) includes oils, ointments, foods, and other products that
contain usable cannabis but are not smoked or vaped. Smoking and/or vaping medical cannabis is
prohibited.
The product may not be administered in a manner that, in the opinion of the District or school, would
create a disruption to the educational environment or cause exposure of the product to other students.
A school employee shall not be required to administer the product.
Discipline of a student for being administered a product by a designated caregiver, or by a school
nurse or administrator, or who self-administers a product under the direct supervision of a school
nurse or administrator pursuant to this policy is prohibited. The District may not deny a student
attendance at a school solely because he or she requires administration of the product during school
hours.
Void Policy
The School District Supply of Undesignated Asthma Medication section of the policy is void
whenever the Superintendent or designee is, for whatever reason, unable to: (1) obtain for the District
a prescription for undesignated asthma medication from a physician or advanced practice nurse
licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, or (2) fill the District's prescription for undesignated
school asthma medication.
The School District Supply of Undesignated Epinephrine Injectors section of the policy is void
whenever the Superintendent or designee is, for whatever reason, unable to: (1) obtain for the District
a prescription for undesignated epinephrine injectors from a physician or advanced practice nurse
licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, or (2) fill the District's prescription for undesignated
school epinephrine injectors.
The School District Supply of Undesignated Opioid Antagonists section of the policy is void
whenever the Superintendent or designee is, for whatever reason, unable to: (1) obtain for the District
a prescription for opioid antagonists from a health care professional who has been delegated
prescriptive authority for opioid antagonists in accordance with Section 5-23 of the Substance Use
Disorder Act, or (2) fill the District's prescription for undesignated school opioid antagonists.
The Administration of Medical Cannabis section of the policy is void and the District reserves the
right not to implement it if the District or school is in danger of losing federal funding.
Administration of Undesignated Medication
Upon any administration of an undesignated medication permitted by State law, the Superintendent or
designee(s) will provide all notifications required by State law and administrative procedures.
Undesignated Medication Disclaimers
Upon implementation of this policy, the protections from liability and hold harmless provisions
applicable under State law apply.
No one, including without limitation, parents/guardians of students, should rely on the District for the
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availability of undesignated medication. This policy does not guarantee the availability of
undesignated medications. Students and their parents/guardians should consult their own physician
regarding these medication(s).
LEGAL REF.:
105 ILCS 5/10-20.14b, 5/10-22.21b, 5/22-30, and 5/22-33.
105 ILCS 145/, Care of Students with Diabetes Act.
410 ILCS 130/, Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.
720 ILCS 550/, Cannabis Control Act.
23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.540.
CROSS REF.: 7:285 (Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program)
Adopted: September 26, 2022
Riverdale CUSD 100