5335 - SAFETY POLICY FOR HANDLING SEVERE PEANUT AND FOOD ALLERGIES

Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District

Bylaws & Policies

5335 - SAFETY POLICY FOR HANDLING SEVERE PEANUT AND FOOD ALLERGIES

Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District understands that 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. Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District will implement the following guidelines in an effort to create a "Peanut/Allergy Aware" community.

School Responsibilities

When notified of a student with a Peanut Allergy, the building will provide a "Peanut/Tree Nut Aware" table during lunch. This table should be clearly marked. An adult will clean the table with soap and water after each lunch period. Children without allergies can also sit at the table provided their food does not contain nuts or nut products. Parents and students can choose to use these tables. It will not be a requirement but rather a family’s choice.

When at all possible, students will be discouraged from sharing food.

The Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District will be responsible to:

	A.	Eliminate food production with peanut butter/peanut products. Only pre-wrapped, labeled peanut products will be available through the nutrition service department.
	B.	Provide an allergen free alternate for students without lunch money- a cheese sandwich and milk (barring a dairy allergy) will be provided.
	C.	The Food Service Supervisor will provide ingredient information to those families whom request specific allergy information regarding the school lunch menu.

The Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District Staff are responsible to:

	A.	Contact the parent(s) of students with known life threatening allergies.
	B.	Work with parents, health care providers, and school staff to develop the student’s individualized Food Allergy Action Plan, which must be updated annually and include the student’s photograph.
	C.	Ensure that the Food Allergy Action Plan is completed by the parent and physician and on file.
	D.	Ensure that a district medication form is on file for all emergency medication.
	E.	Notify appropriate staff regarding the student’s Food Allergy Action Plan.
	F.	For students PS–Gr. 5, send home a letter to parents in the student’s classroom regarding provision of classroom snacks and or activities that are allergen free.
	G.	Train appropriate staff in giving emergency medications and/or administering the Epi-pen.
	H.	Ensure that all emergency medication is kept stored in the clinic with the Food Allergy Action Plan as well as facilitating individual plans as necessary.
	I.	Make educational information regarding allergies available to staff, students, and the community when requested.
	J.	Reinforce self-management of students in dealing with their allergies.
	K.	Enforce a "no eating" policy on school buses with exceptions made only to accommodate special needs under federal or similar laws, or school district policy.
	L.	Work with family and staff on appropriate management of food allergy when field trips occur.
	M.	Follow federal/state/district laws and regulation regarding sharing medical information about the student.
	N.	Take threats or harassment against an allergic child seriously.

Family Responsibilities

	A.	Notify the school of the child’s allergies. Request a blank Food Allergy Action Plan and Medication Administration Form.
	B.	Complete the Food Allergy Action plan and any other Medication Administration Forms necessary, review with physician, and have him/her sign before returning it to the school. Work with school nurse on ensuring that the appropriate school staff members have been informed of student’s allergies and has a copy of the care plan (if necessary). The parent of the allergic student is responsible for updating the health care plan each year.
	C.	Make sure that the care plan includes detailed information regarding the student’s potential symptoms, contact information, and treatment.
	D.	Provide properly labeled, physician approved medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration.
	E.	Educate the child in the self-management of their food allergy including:

		1.	Safe and unsafe foods
		2.	Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
		3.	Symptoms of allergic reactions
		4.	How and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem
		5.	How to read food labels
		6.	Why "Peanut/Allergy Awareness" is imperative verses a false sense of security that any environment is truly "Peanut/Allergen Free."

	F.	Periodically review policies/procedures with the school staff, the child’s physician, and the child after a reaction has occurred.
	G.	Discuss with appropriate school staff members to decide appropriate strategies for managing the food allergy during field trips
	H.	Provide emergency contact information.
	I.	Provide a "safe snack" alternative for students PS-Gr. 5 in the event a questionable, unlabeled food is provided in a classroom (ex. birthday treats, holiday parties.)

Student Responsibilities

	A.	Student will not trade food with others.
	B.	Student will not eat anything with known to contain any allergen or any unknown ingredients.
	C.	Student will be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions base on their developmental level.
	D.	Student will notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain the food to which they are allergic.

Adopted 10/12/09