SPECIAL
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE
TRANSITIONAL
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS
Policy
# P5142
STUDENT
ALLERGY INTERVENTION & RESPONSE POLICY
The
St. Louis Public School District (SLPS) has created this policy to describe an
organized system for preventing and responding to allergic reactions. This
policy is not a guarantee of an allergen-free environment; instead, it is
designed to increase awareness, provide education and training, reduce the
chance of exposure and outline responses to allergic reactions. The best form of
prevention for life-threatening allergies is avoidance of the
allergen.
Research
shows that allergies can negatively impact student achievement by affecting
concentration, auditory processing and attendance. In addition, healthy students
are better learners. Allergies can be potentially deadly for some individuals,
as well as pose significant health risks.
This
policy applies to district facilities to which students have access and includes
transportation provided by the district. The Special Administrative Board (SAB)
has instructed the superintendent or designee to develop procedures to implement
this policy.
Identification
Each
school site will attempt to identify students with life-threatening allergies,
including food allergies. An allergic reaction is an immune system response to a
substance that itself is not harmful but that the body interprets as being
harmful. Allergic reactions range from mild to severe, even life-threatening. At
enrollment, the person enrolling the student will be asked to provide
information on any allergies the student may have. Parents/guardians
need to provide School Nurse with all essential medical documentation (Emergency
Action Plan (EAP) and Medical
Statement for Student Requiring Special Meals: OHS 18) that supports the stated
allergy.
Prevention
Students
with allergies that rise to the level of a disability as defined by law will be
accommodated in accordance with district policies and procedures pertaining to
the identification and accommodation of students with disabilities. These
students will be accommodated through a Section 504 Plan or within their IEP. An
Individualized Health Plan (IHP), including an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), may
be developed for students with allergies that do not rise to the level of a disability.
All
school staff members are required to follow any Section 504 Plan or IHP/EAP
developed for a student by the district. School staff members who do not follow
an existing Section 504 Plan or IHP/EAP will be disciplined, and such discipline
may include termination.
Although nearly any food is capable of
causing an allergic action, only eight foods account 90 percent of all food
–allergic reactions in the United States. These food
are: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shell fish.
The School Nurse will notify the Director of Food and Nutrition Services and District Registered Dietitian (RD) if fish or other food allergens need to be prohibited on a case by case basis.
Vended
items must include a list of ingredients on the individual package. The Director
of Food and Nutrition Services will create an ingredient list for all foods
provided by the district as part of the district’s nutrition program (National
Breakfast and Lunch Programs) during the school day.
Prepackaged items used in concessions, fundraisers and classroom activities must include a list of ingredients on the package.
The After School Program Coordinator will provide the Food and Nutrition Services Department with an ingredient list for the food that is being served in the before and after school programs. Each list will be available upon request.
The
School Nurse will provide an allergy list to the “need to know” individuals such as the Principals, teachers and student support
staff including Social Workers, School Counselors, as well as the Family and
Community Specialists with the identification of students and their known
allergies.
A
second allergy list that contains no names but all known allergies in the school
will be compiled and updated by the School Nurse given to the teacher for use
with parents; and to the Principals for use with vendors.
The
rationale behind not having homemade or unlabeled foods is to protect those with
life-threatening food allergies to ingredients that could be contained in those
food items.
Non
Food
School
staff members shall not use air fresheners, oils, candles or other such items
intended to add fragrance in any district facilities. This provision will not be
construed to prohibit the use of personal care items that contain added
fragrance, but the building administrator may require school staff members to
refrain from the use of personal care items with added fragrance under
particular circumstances.
School
staff members are prohibited from using cleaning materials, disinfectants,
pesticides or other chemicals except those provided by the district.
Education
and Training
The Principal
and School Nurse will work together to ensure that all school staff members
including After School and Full Service Personnel will receive annual
training on the causes and symptoms of and responses to allergic reactions.
Training will include instruction on the use of epinephrine premeasured
auto-injection devices (Epi-Pens), as
needed.
Age
appropriate education on allergies and allergic reactions will be provided to
students as such education aligns with state Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs) for
health education. Education will include potential causes, information on
avoiding allergens, signs and symptoms of allergic reactions and simple steps
students can take to keep classmates safe. The School Nurse
will notify the Director of Food and Nutrition Services and District Registered
Dietitian (RD) if fish or other allergens need to be prohibited on a case by
case wide basis.
Confidentiality
Information
about individual students with allergies will be provided to all school staff
members and others who need to know the information to provide a safe learning
environment for the student. Information about individual students with
allergies will be shared with students and others who do not have a legitimate
educational interest in the information only to the extent authorized by the
parent/guardian or as otherwise permitted by law, including the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Response
Response
to an allergic reaction shall be in accordance with established procedures,
including application of the student’s Section 504 Plan or IHP/EAP. Information
about known allergies will be shared in accordance with FERPA. Each building
will maintain an adequate supply of Epi-Pens to be
administered in accordance with the standing orders written annually by the
school district’s Medical Director and in accordance with SLPS district
policy.
Adopted:
July 7, 2011
Legal
Refs: 167.208, RSMo
Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400 - 1417
34
C.F.R. Part 300
The
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, 29 U.S.C. 794
34
C.F.R. Part 104
Americans
with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101 – 12213
P.L.
79-396, National School Lunch Act, as amended, and
accompanying regulations
P.L.
89-642, Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, and
accompanying regulations
Food Allergy Research and Education
website: http://www.foodallergy.org//allergens