Health Services / Food and Allergy Guidelines

Food Allergy Guidelines

Allergic reactions vary and can range from mild reactions to severe, potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. The goals of these guidelines are to reduce the risk of exposure to allergens that pose a threat to students, to educate members of the school community on the management of student’s life-threatening allergies, and to plan for the needs of those students. In order to create a safe school environment for all students, Ayer Shirley Regional School District has developed guidelines that will assist in managing students' life-threatening allergies while in our school community.

The most common causes of anaphylaxis in children include allergies to:

Food (most commonly: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, dairy products, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish)

Insect stings (yellow jackets, bees, wasps, hornets)

Medication

Latex

Student Responsibilities
- Do not trade food with others.
- Do not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain allergens.
- Be able to articulate allergens and identify key foods containing allergens depending on developmental level.
- Tell an adult if they eat something they believe may contain food to which they are allergic.
School Responsibilities
- Staff education is provided by the school nurses annually about food allergies, including recognition of symptoms of an allergic reaction and how to administer Epipen.
- School nurses will collaborate with the student’s medical provider and/or school physician for clarification of orders and the development of Individual Health Care Plans (IHCP) as needed.
- School nurses will provide names of students with life-threatening allergies to staff by recording them in PowerSchool at the start of each school year and as required with changes.
- “Allergy Aware” tables in the cafeteria. The custodian or designee cleans after each lunch.
- The school nurse, in conjunction with the student's physician and/or parent/guardian, will develop an Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP) as needed.
- Teachers are to provide advance notice to parents/guardians about field trips.
- Classroom celebrations are food free.
Family Responsibilities
- Notify the school/school nurse/ bus driver of the student’s allergies.
- Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medication as directed by the student’s physician. This information is required to be updated each school year by the student’s physician.
- Provide pharmacy-labeled medications and replace them when medication has expired.
- Provide and update emergency contact information.
- Educate your student in self-management on their food allergy appropriate to their developmental level. Include:
- - Safe/unsafe foods
  - Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
  - Symptoms of allergic reactions
  - How and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem
  - Reading food labels

Food Allergy Guidelines

Student Responsibilities

School Responsibilities

Family Responsibilities