Food Allergy Risk Management Policy
Policy Topic Description
The following policy establishes Collins Lane Elementary as a food allergy awareness school for the 2014-15 school year and beyond. It should be noted that we are moving away from a peanut and tree nut free policy.
Policy Statement
The goal at Collins Lane Elementary is to provide a safe environment for all students with food allergies. These allergies could require medical interventions if a child is exposed to these foods.
Snacks/Mealtime
- Discourage/Prohibit Students from sharing or trading a meal/snack.
- Provide supervision in the cafeteria by knowledgeable staff in recognition of symptoms of anaphylaxis and emergency plans.
- Promote hand-washing practices following eating to prevent cross-contact using soap and water or hand wipes when soap and water are not available. (Hand Sanitizers are not effective for removing food allergens.)
- Foods containing tree nuts/peanuts will not be served by the Collins Lane Elementary Café.
Classroom Activities
- Any foods for class activities must be approved by the classroom teachers based on student needs (e.g., arts and crafts, counting, science projects, parties, holidays and celebrations, cooking, pet foods or other projects).
- Consider non-food treats for rewards and incentives.
- Welcome parental involvement in organizing class parties and special events
To ensure the safety of all students, Collins Lane Elementary Faculty and Staff will act accordingly in the following manner:
- Be certain that volunteers, student teachers, aides, specialists, and substitute teachers are informed of the student’s food allergies, necessary safeguards, and emergency plan.
- Establish effective sanitation and cleaning measures, such as cleaning of lunch tables and classroom surfaces with disposable paper towels and cleaning products known to effectively remove food proteins.
- Inform parents of children with life-threatening food allergies of any school events where food will be served.
- Educate classmates to avoid endangering, isolating, stigmatizing or harassing students with food allergies. Be aware of how the student with food allergies is being treated; use this opportunity to teach community caring; and enforce school rules/policies about bullying and threats.
- ConductAfter-School activities/programs in accordance with all school policies and procedures regarding life threatening allergies.
- Discuss use of classrooms and other school facilities by outside groups and safety considerations necessary.
- Health educators will provide training to the staff based on the individual 504 plans and IEPs.
Medications
To promote rapid, life-saving steps in an emergency, emergency medications should not be locked during the day. While they must not be accessible to any student or unauthorized staff member, they should be kept in a safe, accessible and reasonably secure location.
Monitoring Effectiveness
Ensure periodic assessments of effectiveness of the policy. Assessments should occur:
- Annually
- After an emergency event to determine the effectiveness of the process, why the incident occurred, what worked and did not work with the policy
It is important that children take on more responsibility for their food allergies as they grow older and are developmentally ready. The ultimate goal is that our children eventually learn to keep themselves safe by making good choices and advocating for themselves.
POLICY EVALUATION
We will evaluate the effectiveness of this policy through our School Improvement Planning Process.
Date Adopted: 2008
Date Reviewed or Revised: 8-16-2010 Council Chairperson’s Initials: SS
Date Reviewed or Revised: _7-11-2014____ Council Chairperson’s Initials __JP___