NHJ District Food Allergy Policy
Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson United School Corporation Indian Creek Schools Food Allergy Policy The purpose of this policy is to establish a safe environment for students with food allergies and to support parents regarding food allergy management. In accordance with applicable law, it is the policy of the Board of Education to provide all students, through necessary accommodations where required, the opportunity to participate fully in all school programs and activities.
The Board recognizes the need to help the allergic child avoid foods to which the child is allergic and to establish emergency procedures to treat allergic reactions that may occur. In some cases, a student’s disability may prevent him/her from eating meals prepared for the general school population.
Substitutions to the regular meal, in compliance with USDA Child Nutrition Division guidelines, will be made for students who are unable to eat school meals because of their disabilities, when that need is certified in writing by a physician. Meal service shall be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the student.
For all families regardless of allergies:
Follow the School policy regarding food brought to School that does not originate in the NHJ Food Services Department:
Foods, which contain peanut or nut products may not be brought to classrooms, designated as peanut/nut free classrooms or to other events on the school campuses. Consult the appropriate classroom teacher about any/all food allergies in the class before bringing any food to the school. In addition, foods brought in for student parties must be commercially prepared with label intact.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities:
· strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
· symptoms of allergic reactions
· how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy problem
· how to read food labels (age appropriate)
School Nurse Responsibilities:
1. Should not trade foods with others.
2. Should not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain allergen.
3. Should be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions based on their age level.
4. Should notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain the food to which they are allergic.
Teacher Responsibilities:
Food Services Department
1. Maintain a peanut/nut-free table in the K–5 cafeterias during meals.
2. Prepare food with full knowledge of all ingredients.
3. No use of nuts, peanuts or nut oils in food prepared for nut-allergy students.
4. Provide a reasonable substitution for food-allergy students with guidance from their physician/school nurse.
5. Review all manufactured products to ensure that there are no peanut or nut oil ingredients.
6. Follow an appropriate cleaning protocol for the cafeteria tables including the food allergy-free table.
Transportation:
1. 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.
2. Discuss appropriate management of food allergy with parent and school nurse.
3. All buses shall have communication devices in case of an emergency.
4. School bus driver training will include symptom awareness and what to do in a reaction. Training should occur annually and as need arises.
The Board recognizes the need to help the allergic child avoid foods to which the child is allergic and to establish emergency procedures to treat allergic reactions that may occur. In some cases, a student’s disability may prevent him/her from eating meals prepared for the general school population.
Substitutions to the regular meal, in compliance with USDA Child Nutrition Division guidelines, will be made for students who are unable to eat school meals because of their disabilities, when that need is certified in writing by a physician. Meal service shall be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the student.
For all families regardless of allergies:
Follow the School policy regarding food brought to School that does not originate in the NHJ Food Services Department:
Foods, which contain peanut or nut products may not be brought to classrooms, designated as peanut/nut free classrooms or to other events on the school campuses. Consult the appropriate classroom teacher about any/all food allergies in the class before bringing any food to the school. In addition, foods brought in for student parties must be commercially prepared with label intact.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities:
- Notify the school of the child’s allergies.
- Work with the school team to develop a plan that accommodates the child’s needs throughout the school including in the classroom, cafeteria, after-care programs, during school-sponsored activities (field trips, etc) and on the school bus.
- Work with the school nurse to develop a School Food Allergy Action Plan.
- Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medications as directed by a physician using the School Allergy Action Plan form as a guide. Include a photo of the child on the written form.
- Provide properly labeled medications and replace after use or upon expiration.
- Deliver/provide to the Health Clinic any approved medications for your child in original containers on the first day of school.
- Make a family & physician decision about whether your child should sit at the food allergy-free table during lunch.
- Provide emergency contact information.
- Review policies/procedures with the school staff, child’s physician, and the child (if age-appropriate) after a reaction/possible reaction has occurred.
- Educate the child in the self-management of their food allergy including:
· strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
· symptoms of allergic reactions
· how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy problem
· how to read food labels (age appropriate)
School Nurse Responsibilities:
- Identify a core team of, but not limited to: school nurse, teacher, principal, school food service, and counselor (if available) to work with parents and student (age appropriate) to establish a prevention plan. Changes to the prevention plan to promote food allergy management shall be made with core team participation.
- Assure that all staff who may interact with the student on a regular basis understands food allergy, can recognize symptoms, knows what to do in an emergency, and works with other school staff to eliminate the use of food allergens in the allergic student’s meals, educational tools, arts and craft projects, and/or incentives.
- Review information on food allergies, various treatments, the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, and instruction in use of emergency medications before school opens and periodically during the year with faculty and office staff.
- Ensures emergency medications are kept in an easily accessible secure location in health clinics. Students are allowed to carry their own emergency medications/keep in book bags after approval from student’s physician, parent and school nurse.
- Be prepared to handle a reaction and ensure there is a staff member available who is properly trained to administer medications during the school regardless of time or location.
- Maintain open and as needed communication between home and school.
- Be knowledgeable about and follow applicable federal laws including ADA, IDEA, Section 504, FERPA and any state laws or district policies that apply.
1. Should not trade foods with others.
2. Should not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain allergen.
3. Should be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions based on their age level.
4. Should notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain the food to which they are allergic.
Teacher Responsibilities:
- Encourage hand washing before and after meals and classroom snacks/parties.
- Know the location of emergency medications in the Health Clinic and/or in the classrooms/book bags of allergic students.
- Ensure that no foods are brought to the classroom without permission from the classroom teacher.
- Ensure the foods are commercially prepared with labels intact.
- Maintain a no sharing/no trading policy.
Food Services Department
1. Maintain a peanut/nut-free table in the K–5 cafeterias during meals.
2. Prepare food with full knowledge of all ingredients.
3. No use of nuts, peanuts or nut oils in food prepared for nut-allergy students.
4. Provide a reasonable substitution for food-allergy students with guidance from their physician/school nurse.
5. Review all manufactured products to ensure that there are no peanut or nut oil ingredients.
6. Follow an appropriate cleaning protocol for the cafeteria tables including the food allergy-free table.
Transportation:
1. 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.
2. Discuss appropriate management of food allergy with parent and school nurse.
3. All buses shall have communication devices in case of an emergency.
4. School bus driver training will include symptom awareness and what to do in a reaction. Training should occur annually and as need arises.