Allergen Management

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a safe and allergy-friendly learning environment for allergic students and their families and reduce the risk of accidental exposure in the school environment since food allergies, insect bite or sting allergies, and other severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis and can be life-threatening. Communication, education, and cooperation are the key factors for keeping allergic students safe.

Duration

This policy is permanent but subject to review annually or when new medical information is brought forth to a school administrator or the Governing Board.

Policy

This section outlines the general allergy management policy for ANCS. Separate guidelines specific to the Elementary Campus and Middle Campus should be established and followed on a day-to-day basis.

Section 1. Establishing Guidelines

  1. At a minimum, guidelines should include the following:
    1. Where epinephrine auto-injectors and other medications are stored, if not kept in the child's possession
    2. How epinephrine auto-injectors, rescue inhalers, or other necessary medications follow the child as they move about the campus, attend outdoor events, or go on field trips
    3. Where Allergy or Anaphylaxis Action Plans and other forms are stored
    4. How and when to administer epinephrine auto-injectors
  2. Guidelines for events that involve transportation, such as field trips or athletic events, should also include the following:
    1. Transportation logistics (whether by foot, bus, or cars)
    2. How to access emergency care at the trip or activity location
    3. Consideration of allergens when choosing trips

Section 2. Preparation

  1. Store and carry medicines such as epinephrine auto-injectors, antihistamines, and asthma inhalers in designated spots. Epinephrine must be readily available and on hand immediately for all severely allergic children. ANCS can stock non-specifically prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency use.
  2. Report when medications are lost or misplaced.
  3. Keep Allergy and Anaphylaxis Plans in a designated area.

Section 3. General Allergen Management Training

ANCS nurses are trained in allergen management. All ANCS staff are trained in and understand the following:

  1. Terminology: Allergy, allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, food intolerance, epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, Adrenaclick, etc.), and antihistamine.
  2. Recognize the signs of a mild allergic reaction.
  3. Know the most common allergens that can trigger severe allergies:
    1. Food
    2. Insect stings or bites
    3. Chemicals
    4. Latex
  4. Know the signs of anaphylaxis, a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction:
    1. Hives
    2. Swelling
    3. Rash
    4. Itchy lips, mouth, or throat
    5. Breathing difficulties
    6. Coughing or hoarseness
    7. Nausea or stomach pain
    8. Vomiting
    9. Chest pains or tightness
    10. Headache
    11. Dizziness
    12. Low blood pressure
    13. Unconsciousness
  5. Know when and how to use an epinephrine auto-injector to treat anaphylaxis.

Additionally, any individual who administers an EpiPen must be trained in accordance with O.C.G.A §§ 20‑2‑776.1 and 776.2.

Section 4. ANCS Responsibilities

  1. ANCS staff and coaches are responsible for making sure a student's epinephrine auto-injector (such as EpiPen or Auvi-Q) is with the student at all times.
  2.  ANCS staff and coaches are responsible for using epinephrine when anaphylaxis is suspected, either in a child with a known allergy or in a child who is experiencing a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction for the first time; for administering asthma inhalers for children experiencing asthma attacks; and for administering an antihistamine as needed and as prescribed by the child's doctor.
  3. ANCS staff and coaches are responsible for following the Allergy or Anaphylaxis Action Plan provided by the parent/guardian.
  4. The School Nurse will send out a notification letter at the beginning of each school year to parents/guardians notifying them if there is an allergic student in their child's classroom.
  5. The School Nurse may elect to post notices on doors of classrooms that have several allergic students.

Section 5. Parental/Guardian Responsibilities

  1. Notify the school that a child has an allergy or multiple allergies.
  2. Request a meeting with teachers and the School Nurse. ANCS requires such a meeting to review the student's specific allergies, needs, and Allergy or Anaphylaxis Action Plan.
  3. Complete and provide all required ANCS paperwork, including:
    1. Clinic Record & Emergency Authorization form (online orientation form)
    2. Medication Administration and Release form (two total: one online orientation form and one paper form from School Nurse)
    3. A doctor-signed Allergy or Anaphylaxis Action Plan (obtained from the School Nurse or the student's allergist or pediatrician; requires a doctor's signature)
  4. Provide the child's prescribed medications and epinephrine auto-injectors.

Section 6. Procedures for Managing an Allergic Reaction or Asthma Incident

  1. The supervising adult should immediately implement the following procedures for administering epinephrine and calling 911. It is not necessary to locate the School Nurse first—time is critical.
    1. Notice the child has signs of anaphylaxis.
    2. Administer the epinephrine auto-injector.
    3. Call 911. Have another adult call 911 while the auto-injector is being given, if at all possible.
    4. If the child is asthmatic and is wheezing, give the child the doctor-prescribed number of puffs from their rescue inhaler.
    5. If the child can take Benadryl and the child's doctor has indicated it, administer Benadryl.
    6. Monitor the child very closely until the paramedics arrive. A second injection might be necessary. Never leave the child alone or alone with only a student.
    7. Contact the School Nurse as soon as possible after the injection. If the nurse cannot be located, contact any administrative staff.
    8. Contact the child's parents/guardians. 

Section 7. Managing Allergies in the Classroom

  1. Guidelines are created by the School Nurse in consultation with the families and teachers of students with severe allergies to ensure that day-to-day classroom activities are safe for allergic children. These guidelines should cover topics such as:
    1. Classroom and advisory communication
    2. How all food and other allergens are managed in the classroom, grade levels, and advisories
    3. Medication storage
    4. Hygiene and safety best practices and logistics
    5. How students treat peers with allergies
  2. Each classroom has the option to ban severe allergens from the classroom and from all activities in which that classroom will be engaged. A decision to ban severe allergens from the classroom may be made by the School Nurse and Campus Principal.
  3. The guidelines for each allergic child must be followed by all the classroom and staff that child interacts within the course of a school day:
    1. Student and substitute teachers
    2. Related arts
    3. Classrooms in which other subjects are taught
    4. Academic assistance
    5. Special Education
  4. Students with allergies that require that they carry epinephrine auto-injectors should have the epinephrine auto-injector in their possession at all times.
  5. For group snack, birthdays, or other holidays where food is served, snacks must:
    1. Be store-bought only (not homemade);
    2. Have a preprinted ingredients label; and
    3. Be free of products containing nuts, tree nuts, or any nut-containing product.

Section 8. Managing Allergies in the Cafeteria

  1. Guidelines for cafeteria settings or any other setting where food will be consumed should include the following:
    1. Establishing allergen-free areas to eat
    2. Cleaning best practices for tables, chairs, and handwashing
    3. Student etiquette for sharing food
    4. Methods for obtaining and keeping current served food labels and ingredients information
  2. Nut-free tables will be established in the cafeteria for students with nut allergies.

Section 9. Managing Allergies in Group Settings

  1. Group settings include but are not limited to the following:
    1. Cafeteria or recess
    2. Holidays, special occasions, celebrations, and projects
    3. Aftercare, enrichment programs, and childcare
    4. Field trips, walks, and outside activities
    5. School-organized sports and clubs
    6. School fundraisers and schoolwide food sales
  2. For all group settings, it is critical that established guidelines are followed and that each allergic child's allergies are taken into consideration.
  3. All staff involved must be made aware of allergic students in their care and provided a copy of each allergic child's Allergy or Anaphylaxis Action Plan.
  4. All fundraising events and schoolwide food sales must follow current school fundraising policies, which include notifying school officials in a timely manner of what food will be sold or available. Whether the event is through a classroom, organization, or the PTCA, efforts should be made to make the event safe for allergic children.

Section 10. Allergy Bullying

  1. ANCS anti-bullying policy applies to allergy bullying, which can include mocking or harassing a student for having allergies or having to carry allergy or asthma medication, threatening an allergic student with food they are allergic to, or "pranking" an allergic student by covertly adding allergens to their food.
  2. When allergy bullying incidents occur, consequences will be applied according to the Student Discipline policy.
  3. Allergy bullying prevention will be addressed through education and support.

Section 11. Continuing Allergy Education and Awareness

  1. ANCS will stay current with allergy management best practices and guidelines through the following means:
    1. Information the School Nurse provides
    2. Information the PTCA Health and Wellness Committee researches and presents
    3. Listening to parents/guardians and caretakers of allergic children
    4. Staff training
  2. Campus guidelines will contain up-to-date allergy management and education resources.

Resources

  • ANCS Allergy Management Guidelines for Elementary Parents and Staff
  • ANCS Allergy Management Guidelines for Middle School Parents and Staff
  • Allergy or Anaphylaxis Action Plan
  • Administration of Medicine
  • Student Discipline

Approval and Review

Approved

Effective

 Last Review

Next Review
05/20/14 05/20/14 06/2023 06/2026