Series 5000: Students

5141.25 Students with Special Health Care Needs/Food Allergy Management

Students with Special Health Care Needs

Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs (Food Allergy Management) 

The focus of a Districtwide Food Allergy Management Plan shall be prevention, education,  awareness, communication and emergency response. The management plan shall strike a balance  between the health, social normalcy and safety needs of the individual student with life threatening  food allergies and the education, health and safety needs of all students. The District Food Allergy  Management Plan shall be the basis for the development of the procedural guidelines that will be  implemented at the school level and provide for consistency across all schools within the district. 

The goals for the Districtwide 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. (Pre-K-Grade 12) 

It is the policy of the Board of Education to follow the guidelines developed and promulgated by the  Connecticut Department of Public Health and Department of Education for students within the  District with life-threatening food allergies. Such guidelines include (1) education and training for  school personnel on the management of students with life-threatening food allergies, including  training related to the administration of medication with a cartridge injector, (2) procedures for  responding to life threatening allergic reactions to food, (3) a process for the development of  individualized health care and food allergy action plans for every student with a life-threatening  food allergy, and (4) protocols to prevent exposure to food allergens. 

It is the Board’s expectation that specific building-based guidelines/actions will take into account  the health needs and well-being of all children without discrimination or isolation of any child. It is  the Board’s belief that education and open and informative communication are vital for the creation  of an environment with reduced risks for all students and their families. In order to assist children  with life-threatening allergies to assume more individual responsibility for maintaining their safety  as they grow, it is the policy of the Board that guidelines shift as children advance through the  primary grades and through secondary school.

(cf. 5141 - Student Health Services) 

(cf. 5141.21 - Administering Medication) 

(cf. 5141.23 - Students with Special Health Care Needs) 

(cf. 5141.3 - Health Assessments) 

(cf. 5145.4 - Nondiscrimination) 

Legal Reference:

Connecticut General Statutes 

10-15b Access of parent or guardian to student’s records. 

10-154a Professional communications between teacher or nurse and student. 10-207 Duties of medical advisors. 

10-212a Administrations of medications in schools

10-212a(d) Administration of medications in schools by a paraprofessional 

10-220i Transportation of students carrying cartridge injectors 

52-557b Good Samaritan Law. Immunity from liability for emergency  medical assistance, first aid or medication by injection 

PA 05-104 An Act Concerning Food Allergies and the Prevention of Life Threatening Incidents in Schools 

PA 05-144 and 05-272 An Act Concerning the Emergency Use of Cartridge Injectors 

The Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies section 10-212a through 10- 212a-7 

Federal Legislation 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794 § 504; 34  C.F.R. § 104 et seq.) 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.; 29C.F.R. §1630 et seq. 

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1976 (IDEA) (20 U.S.C.  § 1400 et seq.); 34 C.F.R. § 300 et seq. 

FCS Instruction783-2, Revision 2, Meal substitution for medical or other  special dietary reasons. 

Policy adopted: February 12, 2018 THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Thomaston, Connecticut

Thomaston School District 

Food Allergy Protocol 

The Thomaston School District strives to provide a safe learning environment for all students. As such, the following food allergy guidelines have been devised. 

Students with food allergies have a potentially life-threatening medical condition. For these children accidental exposure could result in a serious allergic reaction, which could prove to be  fatal. Eight foods (peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish) account for 90% of  total food allergies, although any food has the potential to cause an allergic reaction. Those  affected may be allergic to more than one food. For some, reactions can occur simply by  touching or inhaling an allergen; others will react after ingesting the allergen. 

The school and families of allergic children acknowledge that despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee an absolutely allergen-free environment. The goal of these guidelines is to create food  allergy awareness that will serve to reduce the risks to students with life threatening allergies. We encourage families of students with any life-threatening food allergies to work with staff to  develop an individualized safety protocol to meet their child’s needs. 

1. It is the responsibility of parents to notify the school of students with medically documented food allergies prior to school entry. 

2. In collaboration with parents, school nurse and health care provider(s), an individualized health care plan will be developed to ensure the child’s safety and continuity of care.  This plan, in turn, will be shared with all those individuals directly involved in the child’s  school day and extracurricular school sponsored activities. 

3. Food allergy training will be provided for staff that interacts directly with students diagnosed with food allergies so that they understand food allergy basics, can recognize  the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, and are prepared to take emergency  action in the event of an accidental exposure. 

4. It is the family’s responsibility to educate the student in the self-management of their  food allergy to include: safe and unsafe foods, strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe  foods, symptoms of allergic reactions, and how and when to tell an adult that they may be  having a reaction. It is the school nurses’ responsibility to reinforce the family’s teaching  and strengthen the student’s understanding in the self-management of his/her allergy. 

5. The use of food allergens as educational tools, in arts and crafts projects, or as incentives  is prohibited. It is the teachers’ responsibility to check product labels prior to introducing  them into the classroom. If ingredients are unknown, use of such products will be  avoided.

6. Emergency medications will be stored in a secure location that is easily accessible. All those who may administer medications in accordance with State laws shall have access to  these medications. In the absence of the school nurse, a teacher, principal, OT or PT who  has been properly trained may administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a specific  student diagnosed with life threatening allergies. A paraprofessional who is approved by  the school nurse may administer the epinephrine auto-injector to a specific student with  life threatening food allergies. (CGS, Section 10-212a and Sections 10-212a-1 through  10-212-7). 

7. The Thomaston School District does not have district-wide food bans. However, special  accommodations may be made for students who have food allergies in coordination with  teacher, parents, health care providers and school nurse. Written documentation from  health care provider is essential in the planning and implementation of appropriate  individualized strategies (i.e. peanut/nut-free table or classroom food restrictions). 

8. Food restrictions may be put in place to insure the safety of students with food allergies  in the classroom setting. No foods should be offered to students with life-threatening  allergies without the approval of the parent. If food is brought into an allergen-free  classroom unexpectedly and it is unclear as to the ingredients, the food should not be  distributed. If the classroom is not designated allergen free, the snack may be distributed  in the classroom. However, a safe snack must be given to the student with the severe  food allergy. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide safe snacks for use in the  classroom. 

9. Hand washing will be promoted following lunch to reduce the presence of food residue on their hands. 

10. Students should not share or trade foods during lunch. 

11. Eating on buses to and from schools is prohibited. With consent from the parents, school  nurses will notify the appropriate bus drivers of students who have life threatening food allergies. 

12. Students with food allergies should not be excluded from school activities solely based  on their food allergy. Appropriate strategies for managing the child’s food allergy on field trips must be devised. Parents of that student should be encouraged to participate in  field trips as chaperone. 

13. Evaluation of policies following a reaction should be conducted with school staff, parent, medical advisor and student’s health care provider. 

14. Guidelines will be reviewed and evaluated as necessary with the district nurses and medical advisor. 

Revised 5/17/06 

Approved by: Dr. Paul Broomhead 

Medical Advisor 

Thomaston School District