The focus of the Atlanta Academy Food Allergy Protocol is prevention, education, awareness, communication, and emergency response as it relates to life-threatening food allergies. The management plan creates a balance between health, social normalcy, and the safety needs of the individual student with life-threatening food allergies and the education, health and safety needs of all students.
Food Allergy Awareness Management Goals
The goals of the Food Allergy Management Plan include:
1. To maintain the health and protect the safety of children who have life-threatening food allergies in ways that are developmentally appropriate, promote self-advocacy and competence in self-care and provide appropriate educational opportunities.
2. To ensure that interventions and individual health care plans for students with life-threatening food allergies are based on medically accurate information and evidence-based practices.
3. To define a formal process for identifying, managing, and ensuring continuity of care for students with life-threatening food allergies across all transitions (Nursery through Eighth Grade).
Food Allergy Awareness Management Procedures
The Food Allergy Management Procedures comprise a comprehensive policy for the management of life-threatening food allergies at school and school-associated settings, while recognizing that procedures may shift as children advance through the preschool to lower and then middle schools. The procedures manual will address each of the following areas:
A. Identification of students with food allergies and provision of school health services
B. Individual written health management plans
C. Medication protocols: storage, access, administration
D. Healthy school environments: Classroom, Cafeteria, Extracurricular Activities
E. Professional development and training of school personnel
F. Awareness education for students
G. Awareness education and resources for parents/caregivers
Food Allergy Awareness Management Procedures
A. Identification of students with food allergies and provision of school health services
1. The parent will submit food allergy information as part of the online enrollment/re-enrollment process. The parent is responsible for notifying the nurse of any changes in the student’s allergy status or any allergic reaction outside of school.
2. The nurse and/or nutrition personnel will meet in person or via telephone upon request with the families of children with food allergies to discuss our commitment to their children’s safety and answer any questions.
3. At the beginning of the school year, the nurse will alert all appropriate personnel of a student’s allergy. This list will include administrators, teachers, and ESP personnel.
4. The nursing staff and/or nutrition personnel will annually review standard operating procedures for the identification of students with food allergies.
B. Individual Allergy Emergency Care Plan
1. The nurse’s office will maintain the Allergy Emergency Care Plan to address the student’s medical needs and any special accommodations. This plan addresses the day-to-day management of food allergies and includes the student’s personal identification information, allergens, signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, emergency contact information, instructions to activate emergency services, and other details necessary to effectively manage the student’s food allergy/allergies at school. The nurse is responsible for establishing and monitoring successful implementation of the individual care plan.
2. In the event of an exposure, personnel involved in the incident will complete an incident report, detailing the allergy and/or anaphylactic reactions, medication administration, and other medical procedures performed. The report will be filed in the clinic and shared with the parents of the impacted student.
C. Onsite medication protocols: storage, access, and administration
Medication will be managed to allow for quick access when needed and to protect the safety of students and medication.
1. Medication will be stored in a safe, appropriate, and secure, yet accessible location that will allow for rapid access during an emergency situation.
i. Preschool and Lower School
1. The parent will supply a duo-pack Epi Pen for onsite storage.
2. Medication is stored on a bulletin board in the unlocked clinic
3. Medication is clearly marked with the student’s name.
4. The clinic has a supply of emergency Epi-pens.
ii. Middle School
1. In accordance to GA HB 337, effective May 7, 2013, a student may self-carry their prescribed Epipen. However a parent will be required to complete a Self-Carry Form with the parent’s signature giving permission for the student to carry the Epipen with them, the student's signature stating that they understand how to self-administer their medication and will have the medication easily accessible at all times, and the prescribing healthcare professional's signature stating that the student is capable of carrying and self-administering the medication. In addition, the student will be required to demonstrate proper use of the EpiPen for the nurse. Students who misuse or abuse medications may be subject to discipline, including possible expulsion, as decided by the Head of School.
2. It is strongly recommended that a duplicate of these medicines be given to the school in case of an emergency.
3. Medication is clearly marked with the student’s name.
2. The nursing staff is responsible for monitoring expiration dates and re-stocking/re-filling the stock medication as necessary.
3. Parents are responsible for providing the school with unexpired emergency medication in a timely manner.
4. If available, all school personnel are authorized to administer auto-injectable epinephrine (Epi-pen) to a student upon the occurrence of an actual or perceived anaphylactic adverse reaction by the student, whether or not the student has a prescription for epinephrine (see GA House Bill 227 at http://www1.legis.ga.gov/legis/2011_12/versions/hb227_HB_227_APP_9.htm). School staff can administer an epi-pen, if available, to a student upon an actual or perceived anaphylactic shock (allergic) reaction, regardless of whether the student has a prescription for the medication. Any school employee who in good faith administers or chooses not to administer an epi-pen to a student in such situations is immune from civil liability. School staff will be trained yearly in First Aid to recognize the symptoms of anaphylactic shock and how to correctly administer epi-pens.
5. In the event of an exposure, the Allergy Action Plan will be followed. The Epipen or Epipen Jr will be administered, followed by a weight appropriate dose of antihistamine, preferably liquid or Fast Melt Benadryl. Any time an Epipen is administered at school, 911 and the student’s legal guardians will be contacted immediately and the student will be transported to nearest appropriate facility via EMS.
D. Healthy School Environments
Each environment within The Atlanta Academy requires special attention to protect the safety of students with food allergies. Although there are commonalities across school environments, some specific needs are identified below.
1. Classroom
i. Limit or reduce allergens in the classrooms by encouraging all parents and teachers to reduce the use of foods with potential food allergens both at snack time and special events (e.g. birthday celebrations, holiday parties, etc). All parents in the class will be notified by the school nurse via email and the teacher during Parent Information Night of the classroom’s status and potential allergens without identifying which student(s) are allergic. Parents of at-risk students are encouraged to send in allergen-free, safe treats to be stored in the classroom for their child with allergies for birthday celebrations.
ii. Classrooms with at-risk students will be designated as an “Allergy Aware Classroom.” Signs will be placed on the classroom doors, designating these classrooms as “Allergy Aware Classrooms.” The school cannot absolutely monitor all foods that enter the school and so cannot and will not guarantee that the school or classroom is “allergen-free.”
iii. Implement proper hand washing procedures before and after snack and lunch periods (use of hand sanitizers is not effective in removing the residue from food allergens).
iv. For older students who change classrooms for different subjects: in those classroom where eating may occur, a designated desk can be provided for only that student with allergies. Cleansing wipes (such as Lysol wipes) that are proven to remove food residue will be provided after any snack or food-involved activity. Those students will have their own single use materials, such as pencils, books, or other equipment used during that class period where a potential food allergen may be present.
v. Communicate rules and expectations around bullying related to food allergies in the classroom and cafeteria, including appropriate conduct, consequences, and related disciplinary actions.
vi. As part of substitute training, substitute teachers will be informed of these policies and protocols. Classroom teachers will also include reminders of students that have food allergy as part of their substitute plans.
2. Cafeteria
i. Train school staff and contracted food service in allergy awareness and basic prevention/risk reduction procedures including preventing cross contamination during food preparation, recognizing an allergic reaction, and reading product labels to identify food allergens. All students will be encouraged and reminded not to share food or eating utensils.
ii. Lunch-duty room teachers will ensure there is an “allergen table” and “allergen-free table.” Signs will be placed on these tables designating them as such. Students with a food allergy who choose to sit at this allergen-free table will have the option of asking 2-3 friends to sit with them, provided those friends do not have one of the allergens for their own meal. No student will be compelled to sit at the allergen-free table.
ii. Enforce responsibilities of the school nutrition staff and/or contracted food service staff to review menu items, identify potential allergens, and make appropriate accommodations (substitutions or modifications) as outlined by the licensed health care provider and parents of the individual.
3. Off-Campus Trips
i. The faculty in charge will obtain all Emergency Contact Forms and first aid kit. The Health Form should be carefully reviewed noting students requiring prescribed emergency medication. The at-risk student will not be allowed to leave the property without his/her emergency medications. The nurse will send the emergency medications for the at-risk student(s). If parent transportation is being utilized, the faculty member in charge will notify the parent chaperone driving the at-risk student. Any eating during transport should be avoided. If eating occurs in transit, there will be assigned seating as necessary to support the safety of the individual student.
ii. For Middle School, the faculty member in charge will obtain the Emergency Contact Forms and first aid kit. The Health Forms should be carefully reviewed, noting students requiring prescribed emergency medication. The at-risk student will not be allowed to leave the property without his/her emergency medications. If parent transportation is being utilized, the faculty member in charge will ensure to notify the parent chaperone driving the at-risk student. If eating occurs during transit, there will be assigned seating as necessary to support the safety of the individual student.
iii. Athletes on or off property: At the beginning of each season the nurse will give the coaches a roster of the athlete medical alerts on their team. Athletes will be required to give the coach their emergency medication to hold during a practice or competition whether on the school property or an opponent’s field. Athletes may not practice or participate without emergency medication on the field of play or on the bus when traveling to an away game. If eating occurs in transit, the parent drivers or coaches will encourage seating to support the safety of the individual student.
E. Professional Development and Training for School Personnel
Food allergy awareness education is part of the school’s annual professional development training for school personnel so that they may be effective in supporting students with food allergies and responding to an emergency. The training will include the following:
1. Basic information regarding the signs, symptoms, and risks associated with food allergy and anaphylaxis.
2. Awareness of food and non-food items (e.g. art and craft supplies) that might present risk.
3. Basic food handling procedures, including proper hand washing, sharing of utensils and food in all school environments, and cleaning and sanitizing surfaces to prevent cross contamination.
4. Bullying prevention, including the responsibility to address harassment and enforce consequences.
5. Skill instruction and practice on how to administer epinephrine in an emergency situation.
F. Awareness Education for Students
Food allergy awareness education is part of The Atlanta Academy’s annual classroom orientation that occurs during the opening of school. The curriculum will be provided to the teachers by the administration and will include:
1. Knowledge of potential allergens and the signs, symptoms, and potential for a life-threatening reaction.
2. Awareness of food and non-food items (e.g. art and craft supplies) that might present risk.
3. Basic food handling procedures, including proper hand washing, sharing of utensils and food (in all school environments), and cleaning and sanitizing surfaces to prevent cross contamination.
4. Bullying awareness, including reporting any harassment to appropriate school personnel.
G. Awareness Education and Resources for Parents/Caregiver
To increase the understanding of the special needs of students with food allergies, parent education as needed will be provided to educate parents on the potential food allergens and how to take precautions to mitigate risk in the school environment. The Atlanta Academy awareness education will recognize the balance between the individual students with food allergies and the general population.
Other measures may be reasonably available, appropriate and agreed upon by the school, student’s parents, and student’s health care provider. The school reserves the right to decline all unreasonable requests, as determined by the school in its sole discretion.
Revised 8/24/2015