The
SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE
TRANSITIONAL
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS
Policy
# R5142
STUDENT
ALLERGY PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROCEDURE
In
the St. Louis Public School District (SLPS) the School Nurse shall oversee the administration of these
procedures in consultation with the Director of Food and Nutrition
Services , the School Health
Advisory Council (SHAC), the District Health and Wellness Council,
Executive/Building Commissioner for Operations and Facilities Management,
Executive Director of the Transportation Division , the school district Medical
Director, Executive Director of Special Education, local health authorities and,
where appropriate, the special education director or Section 504
coordinator.
Definitions
Allergen
– A
substance that triggers an allergic reaction.
Allergic
Reaction – An
immune system response to a substance that itself is not harmful but that the
body interprets as being harmful. Allergic reactions trigger inflammation in the
skin (hives, itching, a rash); in the respiratory system (coughing, wheezing,
difficulty breathing); in the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea,
stomach pain); and the cardiovascular system (lowered blood pressure, irregular
heartbeat, shock). Anaphylaxis is another type of allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis
– A
life-threatening allergic reaction that involves the entire body. It may be
characterized by symptoms such as lowered blood pressure, wheezing, nausea,
vomiting or diarrhea, swelling and hives. Anaphylaxis may result in shock or
death.
Emergency
Action Plan (EAP) – An
EAP is a written plan for students who have life-threatening conditions, such as
an allergy. This plan is designed to inform school district personnel who may be
called upon to respond.
Individualized
Health Plan (IHP) – An
IHP is a document created by the school nurse in cooperation with the parents
and, when appropriate, a student’s health care provider for students who have
specific health care needs. It is a nursing care plan that has student-centered
goals and objectives, and describes the nursing interventions designed to meet
the student’s short and long-term goals.
Life-threatening
Allergy – An
allergic reaction that is severe enough to potentially cause
death.
General
In
accordance with the SLPS school board policy on Student Allergy Prevention and
Response, the school nurse will provide training to all school staff members
about the causes and symptoms of and response to allergic reactions. This
training will be provided to current school staff members within six months of
the adoption of the Student Allergy Prevention and Response Policy. School staff
members who are hired after this training has been conducted will be provided
the information within thirty (30) days of the first day of employment. Within
the first two months of the school year, the Principal will provide a platform
upon which the School Nurse will be able to develop and implement the
training.
An
annual review of information related to allergic reactions will be provided to
all returning school staff members at the beginning of each school
year.
Pursuant
to SLPS school board policy, some students may carry medication for the
treatment of allergies. In addition, epinephrine premeasured auto-injection
devices (Epi-Pens) are available in each building and
stored in the following locations:
·
School
site health service offices
·
Individual
classroom when prescribed for specific students
School
staff will respond to allegations of harassment or bullying on the basis of an
allergy in accordance with the district’s policy on bullying.
All
school staff involved in the Food and Nutrition Services Area will be instructed
by Food Service Management Company in approved cleaning methods, including the
use of soap and hot water, and required to use approved methods in any location
in which food is served.
Response
to an Allergic Reaction
Any
school staff member who becomes aware that a student is having an allergic
reaction must:
1.
Stay
with the student
2.
Notify
the school nurse immediately
3.
Contact
the parent/guardian
If
the school staff member determines that the allergic reaction is potentially
life-threatening the staff member will implement the student’s Section 504 Plan,
Individualized Health Plan (IHP) or Emergency Action Plan (EAP) if the staff
member is familiar with the plan.
If
the student does not have a Section 504 Plan, IHP, or EAP, the staff member is
not familiar with the Section 504 Plan, IHP or EAP or such plan is not
immediately available, the staff member will immediately take or direct another
person to take the follow actions.
1.
Call
911
2.
Notify
the school nurse, or if the school nurse is not available, notify the Health
Service Team Leader and the Manager of the Office of Health
Services.
3.
Administer
epinephrine (Epi-Pen), if available, at the direction
of the school nurse or designee. If the school nurse is not present, the school
staff member may administer epinephrine (Epi-Pen), if
available, if the school staff member determines it is necessary to safeguard
the health of the student.
4.
Notify
the parent/guardian.
5.
Provide
first responders with information about the student’s allergy and reaction and
any actions already taken.
6.
A
school staff member will remain with the student until a parent/guardian or
emergency contact arrives or until the student is transported from the school
site by first responders.
As
soon as possible after the allergic reaction, the school nurse will consult with
the Section 504 compliance coordinator and the student’s parent/guardian to
determine whether a Section 504 Plan or IHP/EAP would be appropriate for the
student.
Instructional
Areas
No
food preparation or consumption will take place in any instructional area unless
the instructor has permission from the building administrator. Courses that
include food preparation or consumption as a regular part of the curriculum are
exempt from this provision, but instructors in these courses have an increased
responsibility to monitor student adherence to prevention
procedures.
Dining
Areas
The
School Nurse or designee will
provide the Director of Food and Nutrition Services , District Registered
Dietitian and the Lead in the school cafeteria with a Food Allergy Plan upon
receipt(this may precede the completion of the Section 504 process). Completed
copy of any Section 504 Plan or IHP (Individual Health Plan) that concerns diet,
along with a completed medical statement for Student Requiring Special Meals
( OHS-18). The parent needs to attach a cuurent photograph of the student to the OHS-18. The School
Nurse will provide Lead in the cafeteria with an updated list of known food
allergies and students in the school on a regular basis. Any Section 504 Plan or IHP that requires
food substitutions must include a written statement from a licensed physician
that:
1.
Describes
the disability or condition.
2.
Explains
how the student is restricted as a result of the disability or
condition.
3.
Identifies
the major life activities affected by the disability or condition.
4.
Lists
omitted and permitted foods.
Food
service personnel will not act on individual requests for dietary
accommodations. If a student or parent/guardian of a student who does not have a
Section 504 Plan or IHP/EAP on file with the food service director requests an
accommodation, he or she will be referred to the school nurse for
assistance.
The
Director of Food and Nutrition Services will arrange for all food service staff to be
trained in food label reading, cross-contamination avoidance, safe food handling
and food item labeling requirements
If there is any change in the menu after the menu has been posted, the
Lead in the cafeteria and District Registered Dietitian will notify the School Nurse or designee. The School Nurse or designee
will notify parents of students with a Section 504 Plan or IHP/EAP for food
allergies if necessary.
The
building administrator may designate one (1) or more tables in the dining area
as peanut and nut-free areas. Students who use these tables may not
have any food or beverage that contains or may contain peanuts or other nuts. If
any student has been identified as having life-threatening allergies to a food
or beverage other than peanuts or nuts, the building administrator may designate
one (1) or more tables as allergen-free areas and specify the prohibited foods
and beverages. School staff responsible for cleaning dining areas will clean any
such designated tables prior to each use according to United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) recommendations using separate cleaning supplies. No
student will be required to sit at the designated table.
School
staff members supervising dining areas will promote a “no sharing/no trading”
environment to prevent students from trading food, beverages or dining
utensils.
Transportation
and Off-Site Activities
Except
as otherwise outlined in this procedure, drivers will not allow students to eat
or drink on district transportation unless the student has written permission
from his or her building administrator. Written permission will be provided if
the student has a medical need to consume food or beverages during the time the
student is transported. A student who has a medical need to consume food or
beverages on district transportation must have a Section 504 Plan or IHP that
addresses which foods or beverages the student may consume if he or she is
transported with any other student who has a life-threatening food
allergy.
Students
being transported to and from activities on district transportation may be
allowed to consume food and beverages if the school staff member serving as
sponsor has verified that none of the students being transported have documented
life-threatening food allergies.
School
staff members must refer to the allergy list received from the School Nurse when
taking part in off-site activities such as competitions and field trips. Upon
request the School Nurse will verify which, if any, students have allergies and
provide the school staff member with a copy of the relevant Section 504 Plans or
IHPs or EAPs and any medications that may be needed in the case of an allergic
reactions.
Implemented: