SCHOOL DISTRICT NO

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 78 (FRASER-CASCADE)

POLICY NO: 7340

DATE: 2008-06-24

REVISED: 2010-04-13

SUBJECT: ALLERGIES AND LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES IN SCHOOLS

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The Board of Education for School District #78 believes that children who have anaphylaxis or any life-threatening allergy have a right to a safe, healthy learning environment. In accordance with this policy and its regulations, the safety, health and well-being of students is a shared responsibility of parents, school and district personnel and the Board.

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 78 (FRASER-CASCADE)

REGULATIONS NO: 7340 R

DATE: 2008-06-24

REVISED: 2010-04-13

SUBJECT: ALLERGIES AND LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES IN SCHOOLS

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Definition:

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, and potentially fatal allergic reaction that requires immediate medical emergency intervention.

Signs and Symptoms:

The signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can occur anywhere from within minutes to hours of exposure to an offending substance. Warning signs include but are not limited to:

· Hives, swelling rash or itching of the skin.

· Wheezing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, coughing, chest pain, problems swallowing, and nasal congestion.

· Nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.

· Pale/blue color, weak pulse, passing out, dizziness, and shock.

· Anxiety, feeling of impending doom, headache, and uterine cramps.

Responsibility:

The Board will ensure through policy that all employees receive the necessary training and instruction regarding preventative and emergency response to anaphylactic and other allergic reactions.

The district will ensure that all school leaders receive the necessary training and instruction in mitigating and responding to anaphylactic and other allergic reactions.

The principal of each school will ensure that all staff are trained and informed regarding their responsibility in dealing with anaphylactic and other allergic reactions, and that the school’s policies and procedures are in place for both preventing and responding to such reactions.

Procedures:

1. Each school will have an anaphylactic policy that identifies:

· Staff training commitments.

· Staff’s responsibility to respond.

· The development and implementation of individual student emergency response plans.

· Procedures for informing TOCs and volunteers.

· The location of and quick access to necessary medications.

· The meaningful involvement of parents in developing and implementing the emergency response plan.

2. At the beginning of each school year, school registration forms will screen for medical conditions. These forms will be maintained on the student’s record.

3. Parents and students will provide schools with all the necessary information and details regarding any medical conditions and/or allergies. (Form A). This form will be revisited annually to ensure the information is updated regularly.

4. For anaphylaxis and all other significant medical concerns, schools will work cooperatively with the health nurse, parents, students and pertinent staff to develop and implement an emergency response plan that adequately addresses:

· Pertinent medical information and symptoms.

· Parent and student’s responsibility.

· Mitigating factors.

· Necessary emergency responses in the event of a reaction.

· Staff awareness and training needs.

· Location and access to necessary medications.

· Necessary preparations for off-site activities.

5. School Staff, bus drivers, volunteers and TOCs will be made aware of students’ medical conditions and will be formally trained in administering an epinephrine auto-injection device such as EpiPen® by a Public Health Nurse or other qualified trainer in September with an update at the end of January annually.

6. Parents will provide all necessary equipment and medical resources so the school can respond to emergency situations as per the emergency medical plan.

7. Students with identified medical conditions will wear a Medic Alert bracelet for all significant medical conditions that require particular responses in the case of an emergency.

8. Information on all students with medical conditions will be posted in an agreed to visible area of the school so all volunteers, TOCs and staff have access to this information as needed. Medical information and picture (Form B) will also be included in the Teacher’s day planner for TOCs and volunteers.

9. When deemed necessary by the team developing the student’s emergency response plan, the parents of all students or of a particular group of students will be notified of a particular student’s medical condition and of their needed cooperation in ensuring that the school environment remains a safe place. (Form C).

10. Student’s medical conditions will be considered when planning field trips and off-site activities, with all the necessary preparations as per the student’s emergency response plan.

11. Each school will have a medical emergency protocol in place that will include:

· Administering an auto-injector (Form D).

· Calling emergency medical assistance, 911, (Form E).

· Calling parents.

· Administering a second dose.

12. On or before October 30th of each year, schools will submit an annual inventory of student emergency response plans. This inventory will provide the student’s name, medical condition, date the response plan was developed or reviewed, and the date of expiration of all necessary medications.

13. Parents/Guardians will provide a minimum of two epinephrine auto injectors available for staff access and use in the case of an emergency involving any persons in the facility with a need for the immediate administration of such medication.

Responsibilities of the Parents of an Anaphylactic Child

Inform the school of their child’s allergies

Provide a MedicAlert® bracelet for their child

Provide the school with current medical instructions from their physician

Provide the school with up-to-date auto-injectors, and keep them current

Provide the school with an auto-injector trainer if necessary

Provide support to school and teachers as requested

Provide in-service for staff if requested

Participate in parent advisory/support groups

Assist in school communication plans

Assist in developing policies and procedures for reducing risk to their child

Participate in the development of an emergency response plan for their child

Review both the emergency protocol and the procedures for reducing risk with school personnel annually

Provide transportation for their child until emergency procedures are in place for busing or when, for any reason, the bus company cannot provide a trained driver

In cooperation with the principal and classroom teacher, implement a “buddy” system to identify unusual behaviour

Supply information for school publications:

- recipes

- foods to avoid

- alternate snack suggestions

- resources

Be willing to provide safe food/food ideas for special occasions

Teach their child:

- to recognize the first symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction

- to know where medication is kept, and who can get it

- to communicate clearly when he or she feels a reaction starting

- to carry his/her own auto-injector in a fanny-pack

- not to share snacks, lunches, or drinks

- the importance of hand-washing

- to cope with teasing and being left out

- to report bullying and threats to an adult in authority

- to take as much responsibility as possible for his/her own safety

Welcome other parents’ questions (communicated through the Principal or school official) regarding safe foods.

Responsibilities of the School Principal

Work as closely as possible with the parents of an anaphylactic child

Ensure that the parents have completed all necessary forms

Develop a school policy or procedure (or implement the board policy or procedure) for reducing risk in classrooms and common areas

Ensure that the parents of anaphylactic child are aware of all relevant board and school policies and procedures and have the opportunity to review them

Ensure that an emergency response plan, based on physician’s instructions, is developed and reviewed annually for each child with a life-threatening allergy

Ensure that instructions from the child’s physician are on file

Notify the school community of the anaphylactic child, allergens, treatment

Post allergy-alert forms in staff room and office

Maintain up-to-date emergency contacts and telephone numbers

Ensure that all staff and volunteers have received information on anaphylaxis, and that those in positions of responsibility for the anaphylactic child receive training in the use of an auto-injector

Maintain an up-to-date list of school personnel who have received in-service and training in the use of an auto-injector

Advise the bus driver of the presence of a child with life-threatening allergies on his/her bus, and ensure that he/she receives appropriate information and training in emergency response procedures

Advise the parents of other students on the school bus, explaining anaphylaxis and the need for their cooperation

In cooperation with the parents and classroom teacher, implement a “buddy” system to identify unusual behaviour

Ensure that all substitute teachers are informed of the presence of an anaphylactic child and have been adequately trained to deal with an emergency.

Inform all parents that a child with life-threatening allergies is attending the school and ask for their support

Work with the school council to increase community awareness of anaphylaxis and the role of the school in protecting students with life-threatening allergies

Arrange for in-service

Store auto-injectors in easily accessible locations and ensure location is known to staff

Establish safe procedures for field trips and extra-curricular activities

Establish a disciplinary procedure for dealing with bullying and threats

Understand expectations for staff who eat an unsafe food - must be in staff room only (vigilant hand and surface washing prior to exiting staff room to help maintain reducing the risk).

Responsibilities of the Classroom Teacher

Participate in the review of the individual plan for children in his/her classroom with life-threatening allergies

Display photo poster, with parental approval and regard to the privacy needs of older children

Discuss anaphylaxis with the class, in age-appropriate terms

Encourage students not to share lunches or trade snacks

Choose allergy-free foods for classroom events

Establish procedures to ensure that the anaphylactic child eats only what he/she brings from home

Reinforce hand washing with class before and after eating (please let us know if/when out of soap)

Facilitate communication with other parents

In cooperation with the parents and the principal, implement a “buddy” system to identify unusual behaviour

Understand expectations for staff who eat an unsafe food - must be in staff room only (vigilant hand and surface washing prior to exiting staff room to help maintain reducing the risk)

Enforce school rules about bullying and threats

Leave information in an organized, prominent, and accessible format for substitute teachers, parent volunteers, or others who may have occasional contact

Follow the school policies for reducing risk in classrooms and common areas

Plan appropriately for field trips:

- ensure that emergency response plans are considered

- ensure that auto-injectors are taken

- take a cell phone in case of emergency

Participate in on-going Epinephrine training and awareness of anaphylaxis symptoms as required. Follow Student Emergency Plan if they think a student is having an anaphylactic reaction or says they feel like they have symptoms.

Responsibilities of Bus Operators and Bus Drivers

Once a student has been identified as anaphylactic, ensure that drivers trained in emergency response procedures are assigned to the student’s bus

Attend in-service and auto-injector training

Carry a copy of the emergency alert form on the school bus

Ensure that the principal and/or parents are informed if a trained driver is unavailable

Assist in developing procedures to minimize risk while travelling on the school bus

Assist in developing an emergency action plan that relates directly to busing

Carry out emergency action plan as necessary

Ensure that an auto-injector is stored in a safe and accessible place on the bus or that the child carries an auto-injector in an identified location while on the school bus

Responsibilities of Public Health/School Nurse

Consult with and provide information to parents, students and school personnel

Participate in planning school policy

Participate in in-service and auto-injector training

Assist in developing emergency response plans

Refer known cases of anaphylaxis to the school principal

Responsibilities of Anaphylactic Students

Take as much responsibility as possible for avoiding allergens

Eat only foods brought from home or approved for consumption

Take responsibility for checking labels and monitoring intake (as developmentally appropriate)

Wash hands before eating

Learn to recognize symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction (as developmentally appropriate)

Promptly inform an adult as soon as accidental exposure occurs or symptoms appear

Keep an auto-injector handy at all times

Know how to use the auto-injector (as developmentally appropriate).

Responsibilities of all Parents

Respond cooperatively to requests from school to eliminate allergens from packed lunches and snacks

Participate in parent information sessions

Encourage children to respect anaphylactic child and school policies

Inform the teacher prior to distribution of food products to any children in the school

Responsibilities of All Students

(as developmentally appropriate)

Learn to recognize symptoms of anaphylactic reaction

Avoid sharing food, especially with anaphylactic children

Follow school rules about keeping allergens out of the classroom and washing hands

Refrain from “bullying” or “teasing” a child with a food allergy

SEVERE ALLERGY ALERT FORM

The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the School Act, the Student Record Regulation and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The purpose of this collection is to respond to potential emergency situations involving your student whom you have identified as subject to a potentially life-threatening allergy. If you have any questions concerning the collection, use or disclosure of this information please contact your school principal either in writing or by telephone.

STUDENT INFORMATION (To be completed by Parent/s)
Name of Student:		Date of Birth:
Address:
Home Telephone:		Medic Alert I.D.:
Name of Parent:		Business #:
Name of Guardian:		Business #:
Emergency Contact Person(s):		Telephone #:

PHYSICIAN INFORMATION (To be completed by Physician)
Nature of Allergy/Allergens:

Symptoms of Reaction:


Recommended Response to Reaction:


Medication	Dosage		Expiration

Additional Instructions or Information:



Name of Physician:		Telephone:
Signature of Physician:		Date:

Canadian School Boards Association

TO BE COMPLETED BY PARENT [TO BE POSTED, FOLLOWING PARENTAL CONSENT]

Text Box: Place Student’s Photo Here Student’s Name

· ALLERGY – DESCRIPTION

This student has a DANGEROUS, life-threatening allergy to the following:

and all substances containing them in any form or amount

including the following kinds of items:

· AVOIDANCE

The key to preventing an emergency is ABSOLUTE AVOIDANCE of these allergens at all times.

· GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

SYMPTOMS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO A PARTICULAR MATERIAL CAN INCLUDE:

· hives and itchiness on any part of the body;	· swelling of any body parts, especially eyelids, lips, face or tongue;
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
· difficulty breathing or swallowing;	· coughing, wheezing or change of voice;
· panic or sense of doom;	· fainting or loss of consciousness;
· throat tightness or closing;	· other, please specify

EMERGENCY MEASURES

· Get EpiPen^® (epinephrine) or other Medication and administer immediately.

· HAVE SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE and advise of need for an EpiPen^® (epinephrine).

· Unless student is resisting, lay student down, tilt head back and elevate legs.

· Cover and reassure student.

· Record the time at which EpiPen^® (epinephrine) was administered.

· Have someone call the parent.

· If the ambulance has not arrived in 10-15 minutes, and breathing difficulties are present, administer a second EpiPen^® (epinephrine).

· Even if symptoms subside, students require medical attention because there may be a delayed reaction, take the student to hospital immediately in the ambulance.

· If possible, have a school staff member accompany the student to the hospital.

· Provide ambulance and/or hospital personnel with a copy of the Severe Allergy Alert Form for the student and the time at which the EpiPen^® (epinephrine) or Medication was administered.

I agree that the school may post my student’s picture, take the Emergency measures and that this information will be shared, as necessary, with the staff of the school and health care providers.

Date Parent’s Signature

Sample Letter to Parents

Dear Parents:

Re: Medical Danger

One of our [state grade level] students has a life-threatening allergy to all nuts. The only way to ensure a safe environment for this child is to try to make our classroom nut-free. To do this we need everyone’s co-operation.

Please check the ingredients of all foods your children bring to school. Coconut is not a risk for nut allergies only for students with specific coconut allergies.

In a classroom setting, cross-contamination is the greatest risk from this type of allergy. Cross-contamination is when a few crumbs from one child’s snack are dropped and then picked up by and allergic child. Even a small amount can kill.

It is difficult at the best of times to get children to eat healthy snacks; however, I hope you will appreciate the seriousness of this condition and that you will assist us at the school in our efforts to create as safe an environment as possible. With your co-operation we can minimize the risk of an allergic reaction.

Anyone wishing further information about this type of allergy may contact the child’s parents. There is also an information pack available at the school.

Yours sincerely,

Teacher

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Please return this lower portion to the Homeroom teacher

We, the parents/guardians of:

Name of Student

have received and read the letter regarding the student with the life-threatening allergy.

Signature of Parent/Guardian Date