Guidelines for Handling Food Allergies
Food allergies can be life threatening. The risk of accidental exposure to foods can be reduced in the school setting if schools work with students, parents, and physicians to minimize risks and provide a safe educational environment for food-allergic students.
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Notify the school of the child's allergies.
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Work with the school to develop a plan that accommodates the
child's needs while in the school setting.
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Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and
medications as directed by the child's physician.
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Provide properly labeled medications.
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Educate the child in the self management of their food allergy
including:
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Safe and unsafe foods
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Avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
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Symptoms of allergic reactions
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How and when to tell an adult they may be
having an allergic reaction
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Provide emergency contact information
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Notify the school if there are any changes or updates to the
initial written documentation.
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If the student moves to another school in the VBCPS system, a copy
of the written documentation, or a new directive from the physician will
be provided to the new school.
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Identify students with food allergies and involve the appropriate
personnel in developing a prevention plan for the student. This may include,
but is not limited to, the school nurse, teacher, administrator, and
cafeteria manager to work with the student and parent.
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Review the medical information provided by parents and physicians.
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The school nurse will develop an individualized health care plan
and emergency plan for the student identified with a food allergy.
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The staff who interact with the student on a regular basis will be
instructed by the school nurse on what food allergies are, recognition of
symptoms and what to do in an emergency.
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The school nurse will ensure that an emergency kit is available
that contains a physician's standing order for epinephrine, for those
students identified by their physician as having anaphylactic reactions.
Students will be allowed to carry their own epinephrine, if age
appropriate, with an order from the physician and permission from the
parent.
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The school nurse will ensure that backup personnel will be trained
to administer epinephrine in the absence of the nurse.
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Discuss field trips with the parent of the food allergic child to
decide appropriate strategies for managing the food allergy.
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The school nurse will provide education for classmates of a food
allergic child as indicated.
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The Nutrition and Training Coordinator will provide a listing of
foods to avoid, ingredient label(s) and/or other nutritional information,
upon request.
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The Nurse Coordinator and/or School Nurse and the Nutrition and
Training Coordinator will communicate on an as needed basis regarding the
management of the student's food allergy.
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Should not trade food with others.
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Should not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to
contain any allergen.
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Should be proactive in the care and management of their food
allergies and reactions based on their developmental level.
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Should notify an adult immediately if they eat something they
believe may contain the food to which they are allergic.
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