Guideline for Managing Allergies in School  

ISD 728  is an allergy-aware district.  We recognize the growing number of students enrolling in our schools with potentially life-threatening allergies.  As public educators, we recognize our responsibility to develop appropriate health plans for students with allergies which detail emergency treatment while proactively addressing conditions to prevent exposure to specific allergens. We believe a collaborative partnership between school and family is the best way to achieve this goal. 

ISD 728 follows best practice recommendations from the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's (FAAN) School Food Allergy Program.  Health Services and Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) work together to meet the needs of students.

Roles for Managing Food Allergies in Schools

Parent/Guardian:

• Work with LSN and staff to develop a plan to accommodate your child's needs.
  
• Provide the school with information from your Health Care Provider and authorization for emergency medication administration if needed.
• Provide properly labeled medications and replace medications when expired.
• Teach your child about specific allergies, and their allergy action plan.
• Determine and/or provide "safe" food for your child to eat.  Teachers, school staff, or other parents/guardians should not be put into the position of deciding if a food is "safe" such as label reading for ingredients.

Health Services Staff:

• Work with the parent/guardian to obtain allergy action plans and collect emergency medications.
• Teach the student who to go to if having an allergic reaction.
• Follow district policy/procedure for medication authorization and student self-carry self-administer procedures.

Licensed School Nurse (LSN):

• Work with school staff (teacher, administrator, Nutrition Services, custodian) to identify any necessary accommodations.
• Work with the building Section 504 Coordinator to develop Section 504 plan as appropriate.
• Provide or arrange for annual staff training.

Why don't schools go peanut free?

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network recommends schools treat each student's allergy individually and adopt plans that emphasize continue vigilance rather than food bans.

"Peanut free" creates a false sense of security for students, parents/guardians, and staff.

Food allergies are increasing, 3% to 8% of children have reactions to some foods - commonly milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.  School districts could not effectively "ban" all of these common foods.

How do parents/guardians know what foods are being offered and the ingredients in the food?

Nutrition Services menus and ingredient lists are available on the Nutrition Services website isd728.nutrislice.com

Who should parents/guardians contact to help develop a plan to meet their child's needs at school?

Parents/guardians should contact the Licensed School Nurse at their child's school, who will bring together the school staff (teacher, administrator, SFE, Nutrition Services, and custodian) to develop an individual plan designed to meet and provide any necessary accommodations.

Latex

Latex balloons are not allowed in any of our schools due to an increasing incidence of latex (rubber) allergies.  Latex balloons are a significant concern because they allow latex particles to be dispersed into the air.  Mylar, vinyl and other non-latex products are safe alternatives.  Latex-free gloves and bandages are used in our schools.

Scents

Many people have allergies to scents.  Avoid using products with strong scents. This includes perfumes, colognes, and heavily scented deodorants.

For guidelines regarding our Essential Oil procedure, click here.