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