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Excerpts from Bexley Board of Education Policy EFH
FOOD ALLERGIES
Bexley City Schools hope to reduce the risk of severe food allergies.
Food Allergies are a growing health concern now affecting approximately 6-8% of all children in
the United States. Food allergy is a common cause of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) at
school, with close to 20% of children allergic to nuts experiencing allergic reactions at school
even before a diagnosis of food allergy is made. Therefore, Ohio has now joined a growing list of
states to enact legislation calling for the creation of a Food Allergy Management Guidelines.
Bexley District does not use peanut or tree nut foods or products but does not currently restrict
food brought to school in lunches or for celebrations.
Identification
It is the family’s responsibility to inform the school of a known serious or life-threatening allergy
as documented on the Emergency Medical Authorization (EMA) form that is filled out by the
parent/guardian at the beginning of each school year. Because medical needs of students may
not be the same from one student to the next, individual needs must be accommodated.
Allergic reactions will be noted in the district’s student information system, PowerSchool, and on
the Health Concerns List so that all teachers who have responsibility for the student will have
access to the information. Food allergies will also be made known to the cafeteria personnel
where allergies are noted at point of sale at the Café Terminal.
Students with Special Dietary Needs
At the beginning of each school year, or at the time of enrollment, parents are responsible for
communicating any special dietary needs of their child, including food allergies, to the District
using the Emergency Medical Authorization form. The parents of a student with a lifethreatening food allergy will provide a supply of “safe” snacks for use by their child.
Food allergies will also be made known to the cafeteria personnel where allergies are noted at
point of sale at the Café Terminal. Substitutions to regular school meals provided by the District
will be made for students who are unable to eat such meals due to a qualifying dietary need
when that need is certified in writing by the student’s physician. Such meals will be provided in
the most integrated setting appropriate to the special needs of the student. Students with
dietary needs that qualify as disabilities under law will be provided prescribed accommodation.
The District shall develop and implement administrative regulations for the management of food
allergies. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, school-wide training programs
regarding food allergy education, staff training regarding food allergy identification and
management, and management skills including avoidance measures, designation of typical
symptoms, and dosing instructions for medications.
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Excerpts from Bexley Board of Education Policy EFH – R – 1
SCHOOL GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING STUDENTS WITH KNOWN ALLERGIES
Allergic Reaction Responsibilities
Parent/Guardian Partnership
 Provide Health History to clinic nurse via Emergency Medical Authorization Form
 Obtain necessary healthcare provider’s written orders for emergency medications and
Emergency Care Plan (ECP)
 Bring emergency medications to school
 Provide clinic nurse with ECP including emergency contact phone numbers and keep
them updated
 Provide alternate snacks as needed to be kept at school
Clinic Nurse
 Communication of information obtained on EMA with parents/guardian
 Provide parents/guardians with ECP at the beginning of enrollment, at the beginning of
the school year, or when an allergy is diagnosed.
 Relay information to teachers/staff/school personnel regarding ECP
 Enter Allergy Alert in PowerSchool
 Prevention Plan will be made on individual basis for those with doctor’s instructions
and shared with identified TEAM. TEAM is school personnel identified by principal as
involved in student’s schedule of classes and activities during and after school.
 Train TEAM using Food Allergy Education
The Role of the Student: Age appropriate responsibilities
 Have age appropriate understanding of allergy, allergens and the risk of exposure
 Tell an adult at school if experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction or if they eat
something they believe to contain allergen
Food
 Not to share food with anyone
 Wash hands with soap and water before and after eating. Antibacterial hand sanitizers
have not been shown to be sufficient at removing food allergens
 Learn to identify products containing allergens, and to visually check all food before
eating
 Comply with school environment accommodations
 Read labels vigilantly to watch for allergens
Food Service Personnel: Cafeteria Accommodations for Food Allergies
 The Food Service Director, along with clinic nurse, cafeteria manager and
parent/guardian should work together to make the cafeteria environment as safe as
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possible for a student with a severe allergy on an individual case by case basis. Bexley
district does not use peanut or tree nut foods or products but does not restrict food
brought to school in lunches or for celebrations.
Lunch log in: includes a point-of-sale allergy alert notification
Each cafeteria will designate a peanut/nut free table away from garbage containers and
food service area and will wash area with separate cloth and cleaner. Sign on table
indicating PEANUT/NUT FREE TABLE. NO FOOD WITH NUTS PERMITTED HERE.
The District, in compliance with the USDA Child Nutrition Division guidelines, provides
substitute meals to food-allergic students based upon the physician’s statement with
specific diet restrictions.