Food Allergy Guidelines
The administration and staff of Summit Christian Academy recognize the growing number of students with potentially life-threatening food allergies. As a district, we are committed to the safety of all our students. As school nurses, we are responsible for developing appropriate food allergy plans detailing emergency management and addressing conditions to prevent exposure to specific allergens. We believe that a collaborative partnership between school and family is the best way to achieve this goal while thoughtfully increasing the student's independence.
These guidelines are intended to address the specific needs of food allergic students and create a safe environment for all students. Although each student's medical and health-related needs are unique, these guidelines establish consistent practices throughout the district.
A collaborative relationship within the entire school community can provide a safe and healthy learning environment. As a result, parents and their children with food allergies will be able to transition from the safety of their home environment into the expanding world of school. At the same time, classmates without food allergies can develop a greater understanding of individual differences and the capacity for flexibility and increased compassion. When done well, this is one of the greatest lessons a child with food allergies can learn.
Required Forms for All Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies
Students with life-threatening food allergies must submit a signed medical form along with the prescribed epinephrine auto-injector and any other medications prescribed by a Physician.
Please note that we are NOT a peanut/nut-free school. It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to send appropriate lunch and snacks for the student.
Classroom & Cafeteria Interventions and Field Trips
Classroom Interventions and Celebrations
- Alerts will be added to the student's Renweb account to alert teachers, administration, and cafeteria workers of the students' allergens and any accommodations that need to be made for the student.
- Students are advised to wash their hands before and after consuming food.
- Students are advised not to share or swap food.
- Parents should send approved snacks and lunches with the student each day. The teachers and school nurses will assume that the parents have approved all food sent for the student.
- Parents will be notified of class parties and celebrations. Parents should send an approved treat for the student that day.
- If another student brings an unexpected treat, the school nurse will decide whether the student may consume the treat. The parent(s) will be contacted if there are any doubts.
Cafeteria Interventions
- 1. We believe the safest lunch or snack is the one brought from home. If a specific school-prepared or catered lunch is acceptable for the student, such as Chick-fil-a, then the school nurses must know this ahead of time.
- A Peanut/Tree Nut Free table will be available to interested students with Peanut/Tree Nut allergies. If a student without such an allergy is invited to sit at his table, they must have a peanut/tree nut-free lunch.
- Students are not permitted to share or swap food.
- Students are advised to wash their hands before and after consuming food.
- All peanut/tree nut-free tables will be cleaned by custodial staff with dedicated sponges and towels.
- Additional interventions may be implemented to meet individual student needs.
Field Trips
- The student's personal epi-pen/medications or medical pack will be sent with the teacher on all field trips.
- A trained epinephrine designee will be available during all school-sponsored field trips.
- Parents of food-allergic students are encouraged but not required to accompany their children on field trips.
Please note: Although the nurse may approve foods, please remember that the final decision to serve food to the food allergic student rests with their own parent(s).
Resources
- American Academy of Pediatrics www.aap.org
- Food Allergy Research and Education Organization www.foodallergy.org
- National Association of School Nurses www.nasn.org
- Kids with Food Allergies http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/page/recipes-diet.aspx