5141.25(a)

 

 

 

Students

 

Students with Special Health Care Needs

 

 

Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs

 

The Board of Education believes all students, through necessary accommodations where required, shall have the opportunity to participate fully in all school programs and activities.

 

In some cases, a student’s disability may prevent him/her from eating meals prepared for the general school population.

 

Substitutions to the regular meal will be made for students who are unable to eat school meals because of their disabilities, when that need is certified in writing by a physician. Meal service shall be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the disabled student.

 

The nature of the student’s disability, the reason the disability prevents the student from eating the regular school meals, including foods to be omitted from the student’s diet, indication of the major life activity affected by the disability, the specific diet prescription along with the substitution(s) needed will be specifically described in a statement signed by a licensed physician. The district, in compliance with USDA Child Nutrition Division guidelines, will provide substitute meals to food-allergic students based upon the physician’s signed statement.

 

The Board recognizes that students with documented life-threatening food allergies are considered disabled and are covered by The Disabilities Act  and Public Law 93-112 and Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A clearly-defined “504 Accommodation Plan” shall be developed and implemented for all such identified students in which necessary accommodations are made to ensure full participation of identified students in student activities. Such plan shall be signed by the appropriate staff, the parent/guardian of the student and the student’s physician.

 

All schools are also responsible for developing and implementing guidelines for the care of food-allergic students. Such guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, staff development, strategies for identifying students at risk for life-threatening allergic reactions, means to manage the student’s allergy including avoidance measures, designation of typical symptoms and dosing instructions for medications.

 

(cf. 5141 - Student Health Services)

(cf. 5141.21 - Administering Medication)

(cf. 5141.23 - Students with Special Health Care Needs)

(cf. 5141.3 - Health Assessments)

(cf. 5145.4 - Nondiscrimination)

 

 

 

5141.25(b)

 

 

 

Students

 

Students with Special Health Care Needs

 

 

Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs

 

Legal Reference:           Connecticut General Statutes

 

10-15b Access of parent or guardian to student’s records.

 

                                    10-154a Professional communications between teacher or nurse and student.

 

                                    10-207 Duties of medical advisors.

 

                                    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

 

                                    Americans With Disabilities Act

 

                                    FCS Instruction783-2, Revision 2, Meal substitution for medical or other special dietary reasons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy adopted:                   March 9, 2004                             EAST HADDAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                                                                                                                           Moodus, Connecticut

5141.25(a)

 

 

Students

 

Students with Special Health Care Needs

 

 

Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs

 

In order to properly implement the Board policy pertaining to the management of food allergies, the following administrative regulations are hereby established:

 

1.                  Each school shall establish a method of ensuring that relevant information is transmitted to all supervising persons of an identified student. It is incumbent upon the school to notify any person who may be supervising an identified student with food allergies, especially those which may be life-threatening, such as peanut allergies.

 

2.                  The primary concern of the school is the prevention and appropriate treatment of potentially severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis.

 

3.                  Parents with allergic children must provide the school with an individualized action plan prepared by the student’s physician. (See form; EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE FORM)

 

4.                  At risk students should have some means of identification, such as a medical alert bracelet.

 

5.                  Most food-allergic children bring their lunch from home. However, guidelines established by the USDA Child Nutrition Division in charge of school lunches requires school food service staff to provide substitute meals to allergic students if the physician of the student sends in written instructions certifying the child’s allergy, what foods are to be avoided and safe substitutions.

 

6.                  Consider establishing a no-food trading policy within the school.

 

7.                  Permit parents to review/preview menus in order to select safe foods their child may eat.

 

8.                  Consider the following avoidance strategies due to the fact that risk can never be fully eliminated in the school environment:

 

a)                  Parents should be encouraged to instruct their children in how to avoid contact with substances to which they are allergic.

b)                  Carefully monitor identified children, especially in the younger grades.

c)                  Allergic children should consider eating foods that are only prepared at home.

d)                  Students should be encouraged not to exchange foods or utensils with other students.

e)                  Surfaces, toys and equipment should be washed clean of allergenic foods.

f)                    Food personnel should be instructed about necessary measures required to prevent cross contamination during food handling, preparation and serving of food.

 

5141.25(b)

 

 

 

Students

 

Students with Special Health Care Needs

 

 

Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs  (continued)

 

g)                  Check hand soap ingredients to be sure it does not contain peanut oils.

h)                  Establish a buddy system for identified students.

i)                    Provide staff updates at monthly faculty meetings.

j)                    Consider a peanut-free table in the cafeteria.

 

9.                 Provide training for staff in basic first aid, resuscitative techniques and in the use of epinephrine auto injections.

 

10.             Epinephrine should be kept in close proximity to students at risk of anaphylaxis and in all cases where it is administered, the student must be sent to the hospital immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulation approved:                March 9, 2004                       EAST HADDAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                                                                                                                           Moodus, Connecticut

 

5141.25

Form

EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE PLAN

 

 

Place

Child’s

Picture

Here

 

 

ALLERGY TO:

 

Student’s Name:

 

DOB:

 

Teacher

 

Asthmatic

Yes *

No

 

* Denotes HIGH RISK for severe reaction

 

SIGNS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION INCLUDE

Systems:

Symptoms:

MOUTH

itching & swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth

THROAT

itching and/or a sense of tightness in the throat, hoarseness, and hacking cough

SKIN

hives, itchy rash, and/or swelling about the face or extremities

GUT

nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and/or diarrhea

LUNG

shortness of breath, repetitive coughing, and/or wheezing

HEART

“thready” pulse, “passing out”

The severity of symptoms can quickly change.

*All above symptoms can potentially progress to a life-threatening situation!

 

Action:

 

1.         If ingestion is suspected, give (medication/dose/route)                                       and                                                                                                                               immediately!

2.         CALL RESCUE SQUAD:                                                                                                      

3.         CALL: Mother                                                              Father                                                

            or emergency contacts.

4.         CALL: Dr.                                                                   at                                                       

 

DO NOT HESITATE TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION OR CALL RESCUE SQUAD EVEN IF PARENTS OR DOCTOR CANNOT BE REACHED!

 

                                                                                                                                                           

Parent Signature                 Date                                                       Doctor’s  Signature                                            Date

 

Emergency Contacts

Trained Staff Members

1.

1.

      Name/Relation                                               Phone

        Name                                                              Room

2.

2.

      Name/Relation                                               Phone

        Name                                                              Room

3.

3.

      Name/Relation                                               Phone

        Name                                                              Room

 

For children with multiple food allergies, use one form for each food.

 

 

 

5141.25

Appendix

 

 

Peanut Allergy ‑ What‑You Need To Know

 

The Peanut Problem

 

 

Peanuts, a cheap source of dietary protein predominantly ingested as peanut butter, have become one of the world's most allergenic foods. They are progressively finding their way into more and more food products either directly, or by indirect contamination of food products during the manufacturing process. Peanuts may be designated on a food label in a less easily recognized term such as "hydrolyzed vegetable protein" or "groundnuts." It is important to realize that for the sensitive person, this is a lifelong allergy, and that even trace amounts can kill. Sensitization may possibly occur during a pregnancy when the mother overindulges in or perhaps even just eats peanut products, and peanut proteins have even been found in breast milk.

 

The Allergic (Anaphylactic) Shock Reaction

 

This reaction can begin and proceed rapidly, occasionally proving fatal within minutes. It must be treated with epinephrine immediately at the first signs of reaction, and the reaction may recur after initial therapy so that ongoing observation and care are required. Possible symptoms of reaction to peanuts may include (not necessarily in this order):

 

·                    sense of foreboding, fear, or apprehension

·                    flushed face, hives, swollen or itchy lips, mouth, eyes, or tongue

·                    tightness in mouth, chest or throat

·                    difficulty breathing or swallowing, drooling, wheezing, choking, coughing

·                    runny nose, voice change

·                    vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains

·                    dizziness, unsteadiness, sudden fatigue, rapid heartbeat, chills

·                    pallor, loss of consciousness, coma, death

 

Factors Which May Contribute To Fatal Peanut Reactions

 

A.        Failure Of Institutions

 

·                    Incomplete or inadequate labeling of foods or packages thereof

·                    Ignorance of food allergy problems by restaurants, school personnel, etc.

·                    Non‑availability of medications or resuscitation equipment or inappropriate use thereof

·                    Having peanut products in the home or school lunchroom of a peanut sensitive individual

·                    Peanuts may be altered and sold as walnuts, almonds or pecans

5141.25

Appendix

(continued)

 

Peanut Allergy ‑ What‑You Need To Know

 

 

B.        Failure To Prevent Problem

 

·                    Failure to always read food labels carefully

·                    Not always inquiring about contents of foods regardless of where prepared

·                    Trying to taste a tiny bit of an unknown but suspected food to see if it contains peanut

·                    Sharing foods or utensils

·                    Obtaining foods from others when the contents may be unknown

·                    Relying on the service personnel in restaurants instead of the chef

·                    Kissing someone or being kissed by someone who has eaten peanuts products

 

C.        Failure To Identify Problem

 

·                    Failure to appreciate that minimal amounts of peanut material can kill

·                    Minimization of, or denial of, symptoms of previous non‑fatal reactions

·                    Failure to speak out when even suspects that a reaction may be occurring

·                    Not wearing a bracelet showing "Allergy To Peanut"

 

D.        Failure Of Treatment

 

·                    Failure to carry and know how to use in‑date epinephrine (Epi‑Penâ, Epi‑EZ‑Penâ, Ana‑Kitâ at all times. In some cases, failure of a care giver to understand fully or to administer this.) It is often wise to have a child's picture on the epinephrine container.

·                    Failure to use epinephrine immediately for a peanut reaction

·                    Failure to have a second epinephrine dose available if necessary

·                    Attempting to use an oral antihistamine alone to control symptoms

·                    Failure to be taken to a nearby hospital quickly after epinephrine use

·                    Impaired awareness of potential peanut product due to alcohol or other drug influence

·                    Taking Beta‑Blocking Medications (check with a physician or pharmacist)

 

5141.25

Appendix

(continued)

 

Peanut Allergy ‑ What‑You Need To Know