Allergy Information

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="042785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Meeting House Hill School Nurse's Office</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meeting House Hill School Nurses Office"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="about_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U>About Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="staffing_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Staffing and Services"><U>Staffing and Services</U></A>   |   <A HREF="information.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="More Information"><U>More Information</U></A>   |   <B>Allergy Information </B>   |   <A HREF="contact_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="043d2b03.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="allergy_information__m.htm#anaphylaxis" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Allergy Information "><U><I><B>Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="allergy_information__m.htm#management" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Allergy Information "><U><I><B>Management of Food Allergies</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="allergy_information__m.htm#guidelines_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Allergy Information "><U><I><B>Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="allergy_information__m.htm#family_s" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Allergy Information "><U><B>Family's Responsibility</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="allergy_information__m.htm#school_s" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Allergy Information "><U><B>School's Responsibility</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="allergy_information__m.htm#students_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Allergy Information "><U><B>Student's Responsibility</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="allergy_information__m.htm#important_information" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Allergy Information "><U><B>Teacher Information</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06284733.gif"> <div> <I>Allergy Information </I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="507" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 ><NOBR><div> <B> <A NAME="anaphylaxis"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>ANAPHYLAXIS EMERGENCY CARE PLAN</B></div> <div> <B>NEW FAIRFIELD SCHOOLS</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 31 WIDTH="501"><div> To print a copy of this form  <a href="HTMLobj-90/anaphylaxisdrOrder_form.doc"><u>Click Here</u> </a>  </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 45 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="06090220.gif" border=0 width="400" height="34" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 109 WIDTH="501"><div> <I> <A NAME="management"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></I><I>Management of Life Threatening Food Allergies at School</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>A   K thru 5</B><B>th</B><B> Grade Continuum </B></div> <div> <B>Consolidated and MHHS Schools</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 649 WIDTH="501"><div> Establishing a safe school environment for severely food allergic children requires a concerted effort between parents, students, teachers, lunchroom staff and school nurse.  To this end the following processes are followed: </div> <bR> <div> The foods most commonly seen in schools that cause life threatening reactions are nuts.  Nuts fall into two categories, peanuts and tree nuts.  Peanuts are found in nut products such as peanut butter, mixed nuts, and in peanut oil.  Peanut protein, which will also cause a life threatening reaction may be found in baked goods, chocolate, hydrolyzed plant or vegetable protein and in natural and artificial flavoring.      </div> <bR> <div> Tree nuts include all nuts but peanuts, specifically walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, filbert/hazelnut, pistachio, macadamia and pine nuts. These nuts can trigger allergy reactions when eaten.  These nuts are often found ground and crushed in non-nut foods for their value as a flavoring agent.  Tree nuts have been found in ice cream, yogurt, candy, chocolate, baked goods, cookies, breads, muffins, sauces, salad dressings and piecrusts.  Some jellybeans and gummy snacks may also contain the oils of tree nuts for flavoring and should be avoided.  </div> <bR> <div> Nuts can inadvertently cross contaminate plain baked goods, which are stored next to nut containing foods.  They also can contaminate cookie sheets and serving utensils when foods are prepared with them.</div> <bR> <div> Checking food labels is not a guarantee that the food is free of the offending substance.  All nuts may be found in flavorings labeled as natural flavoring or as hydrolyzed vegetable protein.  Also, processed food ingredients are constantly changing.  So that a food that was safe to eat in the past may not be safe to eat presently.  </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 51 WIDTH="501"><div> With this in mind, Consolidated and MHHS have the following practices in place:</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 170 WIDTH="501"><div> Children with food allergies are only to eat snacks that are sent from home.  This includes party treats.</div> <div> Parents of food allergic students will supply the teacher with acceptable snacks for treats.     </div> <div> There is a no swapping/ trading rule for students with regards to food.  </div> <div> Nut foods are discouraged such as peanut butter, granola bars, and M&M's.</div> <div> Non-allergic students who consume nut foods such as peanut butter will wash their hands after eating.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 153 WIDTH="501"><div> In both schools, children with food allergies eat with their classmates.  Students are assigned a set lunch seat in the cafeteria.  It is often next to friends who have agreed to avoid the offending food.  If the allergic child's neighbor brings the offending food, the lunchroom staff will initiate a seating change.  Any students consuming an offending food will wash their hands after eating.  Although, most allergy students at Consolidated School eat with their peers, a nut free zone is available for the youngest students upon parent request.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 40 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="06090220.gif" border=0 width="400" height="34" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 189 WIDTH="501"><div> <B><U> <A NAME="guidelines_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING STUDENTS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES:  </U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>ROLES OF PARENTS AND SCHOOL</U></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Food allergies can be life-threatening.  The risk of accidental exposure to foods can be reduced in the school setting if schools work with students, parents, and physicians to minimize risks and provide a safe educational environment for food-allergic students.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="501"><div> <B> <A NAME="family_s"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Family's Responsibility:</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 397 WIDTH="501"><div> Notify the school of the child's allergies.</div> <div> Work with the school team to develop a plan that accommodates the child's needs throughout the school including the classroom, in the cafeteria, in school-sponsored activities, and on the school bus, as well as a <I>Food Allergy Action Plan.</I></div> <div> Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medications as directed by a physician, using the Food Allergy Action Plan as a guide.  Include a photo of the child to attach to the plan.</div> <div> Replace the medications after use or upon expiration.</div> <div> Educate the child in the self-management of their food allergy including:</div> <div> Safe and unsafe foods</div> <div> Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods</div> <div> Symptoms of allergic reactions</div> <div> How and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem</div> <div> How to read food labels (age appropriate)</div> <div> Review policies/procedures with the school staff, the child's physician, and the child (if age appropriate) after a reaction has occurred.</div> <div> Parent will supply the teacher with acceptable snacks/treats for their child.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="501"><div> <B> <A NAME="school_s"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>School's Responsibility:</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 569 WIDTH="501"><div> Review the health records submitted by parents and physicians.</div> <div> Identify the Core team of, but not limited to, school nurse, teacher and principal to work with parents and the student (age appropriate) to establish a prevention plan.  Changes to the prevention plan to promote food allergy management should be made with core team participation.</div> <div> Assure that all staff who interact with the student on a regular basis understands food allergy, can recognize symptoms, knows what to do in an emergency, and works with other school staff to avoid the use of food allergens in lunch/snacks, educational tools, arts & craft projects or incentives.</div> <div> Keep emergency medications easily accessible in a secure location central to designated school personnel.</div> <div> Be prepared to handle a reaction and ensure that there is a staff member available who is properly trained to administer medications during the school day regardless of time or location.</div> <div> Review policies/prevention plan with the core team members, parents/guardians, and student (age appropriate) after a reaction has occurred.</div> <div> Work with the district transportation administrator to assure that school bus driver training includes symptom awareness and what to do if a reaction occurs.</div> <div> Enforce a “no eating” policy on school buses with exceptions made only to accommodate special needs under federal or similar laws, or school district policy. </div> <div> Enforce a hand-washing policy for all students who consume an offending food. </div> <div> Discuss field trips with the family of the food-allergic child to decide appropriate strategies for managing the food allergy.</div> <div> Take threats or harassment against an allergic child seriously.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="501"><div> <B> <A NAME="students_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Student's Responsibility:</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 170 WIDTH="501"><div> Should not trade food with others.</div> <div> Should share the fact of their severe allergies with their classmates.</div> <div> Should not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen.</div> <div> Should be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions based on their developmental level.</div> <div> Should notify an adult <I>immediately </I>if they eat something they believe may contain the food to which they are allergic.</div> <div> Student should only eat snacks/treats brought from home.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 40 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="06090220.gif" border=0 width="400" height="34" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 100 ><NOBR><div> <B> <A NAME="important_information"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING </B></div> <div> <B>LIFE-THREATENING FOOD ALLERGIES</B></div> <bR> <div> <U>FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF OF CONSOLIDATED AND MHHS</U></div> <div> <U>From Karen Conti RN & Kate Kaplan RN</U></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 31 ><NOBR><div> To view or print a copy of these guidelines  <a href="HTMLobj-99/STAFFINFO_ALLERGIES.doc"><u>Click Here</u> </a>  </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>