MILFORD EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT 8/2011

The role of the immune system is to protect the body from germs and disease

A food allergy is an abnormal response by the immune system to a food protein

When the food is eaten, the immune system thinks the food is harmful and releases histamine and other chemicals to “attack” the enemy

There is no cure for food allergy

Complete and strict avoidance of the food is the only way to prevent a reaction

Eight foods cause 90% of the allergic reactions in

the United States:

Milk Peanuts Eggs Tree Nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans, etc.) Wheat Fish Soy Shellfish

4% of U.S. population or 12 million Americans (1 in 25) have a food allergy

Children are the largest group affected•4 to 6% of children have a food allergy •Growing problem…peanut allergy doubled

in children over a five-year period (1997 – 2002)

Trouble swallowingShortness of breathRepetitive coughingVoice change

Nausea & vomitingDiarrheaAbdominal cramping

Drop in blood pressureLoss of consciousness

SwellingHivesEczemaItchy red rash

A serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death

Each year in the U.S. anaphylaxis to food causes an estimated 50,000 to 125,000 emergency room visits, depending on the source

Individuals with food allergy plus asthma are at greatest risk for a serious reaction

Prompt administration of epinephrine is key to surviving anaphylaxis

Prescribed as auto-injectors (such as EpiPen® or Twinject®)

Totally avoid food allergens•Wise food choices through vigilant label

reading and asking questions•Careful food preparation and cleanup

Be prepared in case of a reaction

Read every label every time•Formulations can change without warning

Don’t rely on “safe lists”

Allergens can be in non-food items•Soaps, shampoos, skin products,

medications, pet foods

Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces to avoid reactions from

trace amounts of proteins left behind.

Liquid soap, bar soap, or commercial wipes for hands, not antibacterial gel sanitizers

Dishwashing detergent and hot water for cooking utensils and cutting boards

Common household cleaners for counters, tables, and other surfaces

Accidents are never planned

Keys to being prepared:•Medications must be immediately

available at all times•Knowing how to recognize symptoms and

administer medications quickly•A written Food Allergy Action Plan

Activate the Food Allergy Action PlanImmediately!

Recognize the symptoms

React quickly

Review what caused the reaction and how well the action plan worked

Affects about 2 million school-age children

Up to 25% of peanut/tree nut reactions in schools are first-time reactions

Most reactions in schools occur from food in the classroom used for projects or celebrations

Once a reaction begins, there is no way to know how severe it will become

Take all food allergy-induced allergic reactions seriously

Every school should have a plan for managing food allergies

The plan to manage a student’s food allergies

should take into account:

Unique needs of the child

School environment (size, staff, etc.)

Goal of equal participation in all school-related activities

Developing the plan is a team effort involving:

School staff

Child’s family (parents/guardians)

Child’s physician

The child who has allergies, as age-appropriate

Create an environment where children, including those with food allergies, will be safe

Employ prevention and avoidance strategies

Be prepared to handle an allergic reaction

Address teasing

Provide written medical documentation

Work with the school to develop a plan

Provide properly labeled medications and replace after use or when expired

Keep emergency contact information up-to-date

Teach the child age-appropriate self-management skills

Clean hands before and after eating or handling food

Plan for safe parties/celebrations

Avoid using foods in classroom art/craft projects or as incentives

Prohibit food trading and sharing

Reactions can occur anywhere in school

Early recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis is imperative and life-saving

Education of all staff is important

Food Allergy Action Plan School Guidelines for Managing Students

With Food Allergies Information Sheets

How to Read a Label, Facts and Statistics Be A PAL: Protect A Life From Food

Allergies™ Posters

(800) 929-4040www.foodallergy.org

Milford Exempted Village School District

(MEVSD)Regulations

Parents will notify the school with their child’s allergy

Provide annual documentation, instructions, and medication as ordered by a physician

Educate their child in self management of their food allergy

Provide emergency contact information

Annual training to those staff who may interact with students with food allergies

Assure that medication is provided and kept in a secure, accessible location

Nurse will work closely with the parents and teacher to provide the safest environment

Classroom, lunchroom and office posters indicating that an allergic child is in the school

Snack and party restrictions

Snacks for individual students at the Elementary classroom must be off the MEVSD approved snack list.

The list may be further restricted if an allergen is present in that classroom.

Snacks in grade 7-12 will only be consumed in areas designated for food consumption.

Teachers will be permitted to use foods off the approved list for instructional purpose.

Teachers are not permitted to use candy or other food items as a reward for student achievement. Other reinforcement ideas should be encouraged ◦ Stickers, certificates, other creative strategies.

Teachers may eat lunch at their desks during lunchtime but should take precautions to clean any areas prior to instruction.

This allows students to still come to the classroom during lunchtime for extra help or attention.

Birthday treats.

◦ Parents can bring any treat to their child during lunchtime. They may NOT bring in bulk treats for the entire class, however non food items are permitted and can be distributed.

◦ Any bulk treats brought to school will be sent home with the parent.

Winter Holiday (Christmas) and Valentine’s Day

Individual Schools may opt to NOT serve food at these parties. This will be a principal’s judgment.

If food is to be served at this party it must be off the approved snack list.

Food can further be restricted by classroom or grade level depending on allergies in those classrooms.

MEVSD discourages the consumption of food at parties.

MEVSD encourages students to participate in crafts and other activities to celebrate.

For other celebrations or customs or school rewards we are encouraging food that meets the USDA nutritional Guidelines to be served in the Cafeteria.

Students participating in the school breakfast program will eat in the cafeteria.

The Principal may allow certain students to bring their breakfast food back to their classroom if there are safety procedures in place to assure students with allergies are not exposed to foods that are dangerous to them.

ALL SNACKS WILL BE CHECKED BY THE TEACHER AND/OR

HEALTH AIDE PRIOR TO DISTRIBUTING

It is the parent’s responsibility to encourage their child to use this table.

Friends of the allergic child may NOT sit at this table.

The table will be disinfected after each use with clorox solution.

Teachers should contact the parents prior to a field trip and encourage them to be a chaperone

Medication (Epi-pen) will accompany child on field trips

Parents and Health Aides

will have a meeting prior to the start of each school year

to go over the student’s allergies and

specific care

needed to ensure the safety of that child.

Emergency Health Care Plans

will be kept in the clinic, cafeteria,

teacher plan book (for sub),

and transportation.

To view the complete Milford Exempted Village School District Wellness Policy and Regulations. www.milfordschools.org