No. 209.1
PHILIPSBURGOSCEOLA AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
SECTION:
PUPILS
TITLE:
FOOD ALLERGY
MANAGEMENT
ADOPTED:
July 15, 2014
REVISED:
209.1. FOOD ALLERGY MANAGEMENT
1. Purpose
The Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District Board recognizes that some students
will have life-threatening allergies. To maintain a safe school environment for
students with these severe allergies, the school district depends upon the cooperation
of parents/guardians, health professionals, students, and staff to minimize contact
with the allergen and prepare a plan of action in the event the child is exposed to the
allergen.
2. Authority
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to prepare detailed administrative
procedures to ensure the safety and well being of students and staff. The purpose of
this policy is two-fold: to safeguard the health and well being of students and
employees and concurrently, to protect the rights of the individual.
3. Definitions
Allergen- a substance inducing an allergic state or reaction.
Anaphylaxis- a condition of hypersensitivity to proteins and other substances in
which exposure to or injection of the foreign matter results in a severe allergic
reaction that occurs rapidly and causes a life threatening response involving the
whole body.
Food Allergy- a food allergy is any reaction to an otherwise harmless food or
component that involves the body’s immune system. A reaction occurs when the
body’s immune system responds abnormally to the protein or proteins in that
particular food. The body reacts by flooding the system with histamines and other
chemicals to fight off what is perceived as an invader in the body. Reactions to food
or food ingredients that do not involve the immune system are called food
intolerance or sensitivities.
Food Intolerance- food intolerance is a metabolic disorder and does not involve the
immune system. Lactose intolerance is one (1) example of food intolerance. A
person with lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is needed to digest milk sugar.
When the person eats milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal
pain may occur.
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209.1. FOOD ALLERGY MANAGEMENT - Pg. 2
Common Food Allergens – common foods that are associated with food allergy are
milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.
Non-Food Allergens – includes insect venom, medications, latex, and rarely
vigorous exercise and cold weather.
Severe Allergy – any reaction to an otherwise harmless food, food component, or
non-food items that involves the body’s immune system. A reaction occurs when the
body’s immune system responds abnormally to the protein or proteins in that
particular food. The body reacts by flooding the system with histamines and other
chemicals to fight off what is perceived as an invader in the body. Reactions to food
or food ingredients that do not involve the immune system are called food
intolerance or sensitivities.
Medical Plans of Care - written documents individualized for a particular student
with a severe or life-threatening food allergy to address the student’s needs
throughout the school day, including:
1. Emergency Care Plan (ECP) - a medical plan of care based on the information
provided in the student’s Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) and distributed to
all school personnel who have responsibilities for the student which specifically
describes how to recognize a food allergy emergency and what to do when signs
or symptoms of these conditions are observed.
2. Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) - a medical plan of care that provides
written directions for school health personnel to follow in meeting the individual
student’s healthcare needs. The plan describes functional problem areas, sets
goals for overcoming problems, and lists tasks/interventions to meet the goals.
The IHP shall include a Food Allergy Medical Management Plan developed by a
student’s personal healthcare team and family, which shall outline the student’s
prescribed healthcare regimen and be signed by the student’s board-certified
allergist, family physician, physician assistant or certified registered nurse
practitioner.
Pol. 113
3. Related Services Component in Individualized Education Program (IEP) that part of an IEP for a student receiving special education and related services
which includes reference to development and implementation of an IHP and ECP
for students with a documented severe or life-threatening food allergy as well as
identifying the medical accommodations, educational aids and services to
address the student’s needs.
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4. Section 504 Service Agreement - a medical plan of care which references
development and implementation of an IHP and ECP as well as other
accommodations, educational aids and services a student with a documented
severe or life-threatening food allergy requires in order to have equal access to
educational programs, nonacademic services and extracurricular activities as
students without food allergies.
Protecting the individual with severe allergy/anaphylaxis involves three (3) major
considerations:
1.
Avoid the allergen trigger.
2.
Recognize the occurrence of an allergic reaction.
3.
Provide immediate appropriate treatment.
While the Board of School Directors cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment,
the Board will make every reasonable accommodation to ensure a safe environment
for individuals with life-threatening allergies.
4. Guidelines
It is recommended that the following information be disseminated to students, staff
and parents/guardians annually.
Students
1.
Never take food allergies lightly. Students should not joke or tease other
students about allergies.
2.
Never try to trick someone into eating food to which they are allergic.
3.
Do not share food with food allergy students.
4.
Wash/sanitize hands before and after eating.
5.
Help allergic friends by knowing about their condition.
6.
Immediately tell a teacher, assistant, or an administrator when someone has an
allergic reaction, or spills with a known allergen.
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5. Delegation of
Responsibility
Parents/Guardians
1.
Contact the school nurse each year to complete and/or update all medical
records, including specific information pertaining to any and all known
allergies. Provide prompt updates.
2.
Contact the food service department director each year if the child has a food
allergy and intends to purchase meals at school.
3.
Provide a medical statement, including the Physician’s Order for Medication at
school, completed by a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner to
include: the allergen of concern and the requested accommodations at the start
of each school year.
4.
Provide an up-to-date supply of the medication prescribed by the physician and
immediate replacements for medication used.
5.
For classroom parties and events, it is advised that non-food items be provided
for students.
School Staff
1.
The School Nurse will review the medical records and documentation from the
attending physician regarding the student’s allergy.
2.
On an as needed bases, an Individual Health Care Plan or 504 plan will be
developed by the School Nurse and agreed to by the school and parent/guardian.
The plan and procedures may include provisions for cleaning classrooms and
cafeteria area, for having allergy free product tables in the cafeteria, and other
measures for notifying other students and parents/guardians regarding the
student’s allergy. It is understood that due to the ages of students and varying
intensity of allergies, it is likely that the comprehensiveness of the Health Care
Plan for an elementary student will be different for the secondary student.
3.
Regardless of the allergy, the district will not support a complete ban of specific
or specified foods in the cafeteria that may contribute to the student’s allergy;
however, staff shall consider specific students’ food allergies when planning
foods during school. The staff will make reasonable accommodations to ensure
a safe environment for individuals with life threatening allergies.
4.
The School Nurse will notify key staff within the district, on a need to know
basis, about student’s specific allergies.
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5.
Symptoms, precautions, and emergency treatment of allergic reactions will be
discussed with staff at the beginning of the school year and as necessary
throughout the school year.
6.
In the case of unknown severe allergic reactions, treatment will be given
according to the school district physician’s Standing Orders for Allergic
Emergencies.
7.
Bus contractors may provide drivers of buses ridden by students with severe
allergy/anaphylaxis training on how to recognize and treat anaphylactic
reactions, use of epinephrine auto-injector, and the protocol to be followed for
medical emergencies on the bus.
Accommodating Students With Disabling Special Dietary Needs
Pol. 113
Students with food allergies may be identified, evaluated and determined to be
disabled, in which case the district shall make appropriate accommodations,
substitutions or modifications in accordance with the student’s medical plans of care.
The district must provide reasonable accommodations, substitutions or modifications
for students with disabling dietary needs. The student’s physician shall determine
and document if the student has a disabling dietary need. Examples of a disability
under this policy would include metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes), severe food
allergies or cerebral palsy.
7 CFR
Sec. 15b.40
Students who fall under this provision must have a written medical statement signed
by a licensed physician, which shall be included with the student’s IHP. The medical
statement must identify:
1. The student’s special dietary disability.
2. An explanation of why the disability restricts the student’s diet.
3. The major life activity(ies) affected by the disability.
4. The food(s) to be omitted from the student’s diet.
5. The food or choice of foods that must be provided as the substitute.
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Accommodating Students With Non-disabling Special Dietary Needs
The district may, at its discretion, make appropriate accommodations, substitutions
or modifications for students who have a special dietary need but who do not meet
the definition of disability, such as a food intolerance or allergy that does not cause a
reaction that meets the definition of a disability. The decision to accommodate such
a student shall be made on a case-by-case basis.
Students who fall under this provision must have a written medical statement signed
by a physician, physician assistant or certified registered nurse practitioner
identifying the following:
1. The medical or other special dietary condition which restricts the student’s diet.
2. The food(s) to be omitted from the student’s diet.
3. The food or choice of foods to be substituted.
References:
School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 1422.1, 1422.3
State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 12.41
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – 29 U.S.C. Sec. 794
Americans With Disabilities Act – 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Receiving
Federal Financial Assistance, Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations –
7 CFR Part 15
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability, Title 28, Code of Federal
Regulations – 28 CFR Part 35
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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Title 34, Code of Federal
Regulations – 34 CFR Part 99
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap, Title 34, Code of Federal
Regulations – 34 CFR Part 104
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations –
34 CFR Part 300
Board Policy – 103, 113, 113.4, 121, 146, 209, 210, 210.1, 216, 246, 805, 808, 810
Safe at Schools and Ready to Learn: A Comprehensive Policy Guide for Protecting
Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies – National School Boards
Association
Pennsylvania Guidelines for Management of Food Allergies in Schools:
Recommendations and Resource Guide for School Personnel – Pennsylvania
Departments of Education and Health
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