Food Allergy Management
Food-allergic reactions can develop into severe or life-threatening reactions and, even with proper treatment, can be fatal. A student’s ability to learn may be drastically altered by their fears of a reaction. The Board will endeavor to provide a safe and healthy environment for students with severe and life-threatening food allergies and to address food allergy management in the Charter School in order to:
1. Reduce the likelihood of severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions;
2. Ensure a rapid and effective response in the case of a severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction; and
3. To provide students, through necessary accommodations, the opportunity to participate fully in all School programs and activities, including classroom parties and field trips.
Food allergy management will focus on prevention, education, awareness, communication, and emergency response.
School administrators, will endeavor to be knowledgeable about and follow all applicable federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as all State laws and School policies and guidelines that may apply to students with allergies. Administrators or their designees may make all of the appropriate allergy forms available to parents, explain the procedures for completing and returning them, and ensure that all forms and health records submitted by parents and physicians are reviewed by the appropriate personnel. Administrators and School nurses may also meet with parents and listen to their needs and concerns.
When a student has been identified as having food allergies verified by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, individual written management plans may be used to determine accommodations to be made on a daily basis to prevent and prepare for an allergic reaction. An emergency care plan may be used to provide direction in the event of a life-threatening allergic reaction at School or at a School event. Key staff members may be trained to use emergency medications and may be notified of the location of those medications at School and at any special function.
The Executive Director or designee, in coordination with the School nurse, School nutrition services staff, and other pertinent staff, may develop administrative regulations to implement this policy, including regulations pertaining to all classrooms and instructional areas, School cafeterias, outdoor activity areas, School buses (if applicable), field trips, and School activities held before or after the school day.
Administrative regulations may address the following components:
1. Identification of students with food allergies and provision of School health services;
2. Development and implementation of individual written management plans;
3. Medication protocols, including methods of storage, access, and administration;
4. Development of a comprehensive and coordinated approach to creating a healthy School environment;
5. Ensuring that the needs of children with documented allergies are taken into consideration in planning for School programs;
6. Communication and confidentiality;
7. Emergency response;
8. Professional development and training for School personnel;
9. Awareness education for students and parents/guardians;
10. Training for School staff and volunteers; and
11. Policy monitoring and evaluation.
Allergy-related policies, protocols, and plans may be updated annually or after any serious allergic reaction occurs at School or at a School-sponsored activity.
The Executive Director or designee may annually notify students, parents/guardians, staff, and the public about the School’s food allergy management policy by publishing such in handbooks and newsletters, on the School’s website, through posted notices, or other efficient methods.
Students with allergies will be treated in a way that encourages the student to report possible exposure to allergens and any symptoms of an allergic reaction and to progress toward self-care with his or her food allergy management skills. Allergy-related bullying will not be tolerated.
The parent/guardian is expected to provide an adequate supply of the medication to be dispensed, and to retrieve any unused medication at the end of the school year or at the withdrawal of the student. Medication that is not retrieved by the parent/guardian by the student’s last day of attendance during the School year will be disposed of by the School. This disposal will be verified by two people.
Cross References:
2400 Special Education
2410 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
3510 Student Medicines
3510F1 Authorization for Self-Administered Medication
3510F2 Indemnification/Hold Harmless Agreement for Self-Administration of Medication
Legal Reference:
29 U.S.C. § 701, et seq. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Policy History
Adopted on: June 14, 2021
Revised on:
Reviewed on: