Olentangy Health Services

School Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies

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/guardians, and physicians to minimize risks and provide a safe educational environment for food-allergic students.

Family's Responsibility

• Notify the school of the child's allergies.
• Work with the school team to develop a Food Allergy Action Plan that accommodates the child's needs throughout the school, including in the classroom, in the cafeteria, in after-care programs, during school-sponsored activities, and on the school bus.
• 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 on the written form.
• Provide properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration.
• Educate the child in the self-management of his/her food allergy including:
  • Safe and unsafe foods
  • Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
  • Symptoms of allergic reactions
  • How and when to tell an adult that he/she may be having an allergy-related problem
  • How to read food labels (age-appropriate)
• Review procedures/guidelines with the school staff, the child's physician, and the child (if age-appropriate) after a reaction has occurred
• Provide emergency contact information
• Notify school bus driver of child's allergy and emergency actions that should take place

Student's Responsibility

• Should not share or trade food with others.
• Should not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen.
• Should be proactive in the care and management of his/her food allergies and reactions based on developmental level.
• Should notify an adult immediately if he/she eats something that might contain the food allergen.

Download a Food Allergy Action Plan form.

School's Responsibility

• Be knowledgeable about and follow applicable federal laws, including ADA, IDEA, Section 504, and FERPA, and any state or district policies that apply.
• Review the health records submitted by parents/guardians and physicians.
• Include food-allergic students in school activities. Students should not be excluded from school activities based solely on their food allergy.
• Identify a core team of staff members to work with parents/guardians and the student (age-appropriate) to establish a prevention plan. The core team could include the teacher, principal, and food service staff, and should be led by the school nurse.
• Assure that all staff who interact with the student on a regular basis understand food allergy, can recognize symptoms, know what to do in an emergency, and work with other school staff to eliminate the use of food allergens in the allergic student's meals and snacks, educational tools, arts and crafts projects, or incentives.
• Practice the Food allergy Action Plan before an allergic reaction occurs to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the plan.
• Coordinate with the school nurse to be sure that medications are appropriately stored. Medications are to be kept in an easily accessible, secure location central to designated school personnel. Students are permitted to carry their own emergency medications if age-appropriate and so-ordered by the physician.
• The building principal designates school personnel who are properly trained to administer medications in accordance with ORC 3313.713.
• 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.
• Review policies, guidelines and prevention plans with core team members, parents/guardians, student (age-appropriate), and physician after a reaction has occurred.
• Ensure that all buses have a communication device in case of emergency.
• 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. Discuss appropriate management of food allergy with family.
• Discuss field trips with the family of the food-allergic child to decide appropriate strategies for managing the food allergy.
• Follow federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the sharing of medical information about the student.
• Take threats or harassment against an allergic child seriously.