Food allergies are becoming a big concern for schools.
For your child's safety, diagnosed allergies that require an Epipen must be reported to the school nurse every school year. The nurse will make sure that the kitchen, classroom and itinerant teachers are aware of the allergy. An emergency care plan is created for your child by the nurse. It can be downloaded here and brought to your child's doctor to review so that we take a team approach (physician, parent, school nurse) to care for your child's food allergy.
http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=23
For more information about managing allergies in schools, go to:
http://www.foodallergy.org
Epipens need to come to school in the original box from the pharmacy with your child's name on it. A doctor's medication form must be brought to school too. It is a good idea to have a meeting with the nurse upon entry into school to discuss your child's allergy, symptoms, triggers and treatment in the past. Each year, you can let the nurse know of any changes.
Policy for Peanut/tree nut allergy: If there is a child with a peanut/tree nut allergy, that classroom will be designated peanut/tree nut free. The nurse will send an information page for each family to read and sign at the beginning of the year. That means that any snacks sent to school must be free of peanuts, tree nuts or any products that associated with them: peanut oil. The child with the allergy will be sitting at the peanut/tree nut free table in the lunchroom. They can bring a friend with them as long as the friend has school lunch. Sodexo Food Service does not serve any food containing peanuts or tree nuts.
Food items brought into school for special occasions must first be cleared by the classroom teacher and the school nurse. If your classroom is designated peanut/tree nut free no home made items will be allowed. Treats must be store bought and come to school in the original container with the label of ingredients so that I can be sure that it will be safe for all students.
Ideas for healthy snacks:
popcorn, fruit, vegetables cut into pieces with dip, graham crackers, pretzels, cheese or cheese sticks
Other Food allergies:
There are many other food allergies: soy, wheat,eggs, shellfish to name a few. Our school provides a monthly menu of foods to be served. If your child has any other food allergies, please go through the menu to determine which choices your child can have. Many of the items contain soy fillers or breading so keep that in mind. Any questions about the food, please call me and I will get more detailed information for you.
For your child's safety, diagnosed allergies that require an Epipen must be reported to the school nurse every school year. The nurse will make sure that the kitchen, classroom and itinerant teachers are aware of the allergy. An emergency care plan is created for your child by the nurse. It can be downloaded here and brought to your child's doctor to review so that we take a team approach (physician, parent, school nurse) to care for your child's food allergy.
http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=23
For more information about managing allergies in schools, go to:
http://www.foodallergy.org
Epipens need to come to school in the original box from the pharmacy with your child's name on it. A doctor's medication form must be brought to school too. It is a good idea to have a meeting with the nurse upon entry into school to discuss your child's allergy, symptoms, triggers and treatment in the past. Each year, you can let the nurse know of any changes.
Policy for Peanut/tree nut allergy: If there is a child with a peanut/tree nut allergy, that classroom will be designated peanut/tree nut free. The nurse will send an information page for each family to read and sign at the beginning of the year. That means that any snacks sent to school must be free of peanuts, tree nuts or any products that associated with them: peanut oil. The child with the allergy will be sitting at the peanut/tree nut free table in the lunchroom. They can bring a friend with them as long as the friend has school lunch. Sodexo Food Service does not serve any food containing peanuts or tree nuts.
Food items brought into school for special occasions must first be cleared by the classroom teacher and the school nurse. If your classroom is designated peanut/tree nut free no home made items will be allowed. Treats must be store bought and come to school in the original container with the label of ingredients so that I can be sure that it will be safe for all students.
Ideas for healthy snacks:
popcorn, fruit, vegetables cut into pieces with dip, graham crackers, pretzels, cheese or cheese sticks
Other Food allergies:
There are many other food allergies: soy, wheat,eggs, shellfish to name a few. Our school provides a monthly menu of foods to be served. If your child has any other food allergies, please go through the menu to determine which choices your child can have. Many of the items contain soy fillers or breading so keep that in mind. Any questions about the food, please call me and I will get more detailed information for you.
Signs of an Allergic Reaction
- Itching & swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth
- Itching and/or a sense of tightness in the throat
- Hoarseness
- Hacking cough
- Hives, itchy rash, and/or swelling about the face
- Nausea, abdominal cramps, and/or vomiting
- Shortness of breath, repetitive coughing, and/or wheezing
- Congested, runny nose
- Thready pulse, “passing out”
- Feeling of doom
Food Allergies 101
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is an adverse reaction to a food that is triggered by the body’s immune system. During a reaction, the body releases chemicals that can affect the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system, the cardiovascular system, and the skin.
What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Common causes of anaphylaxis include: food, insect stings, latex, and medication.
What foods can people be allergic to?
The most common foods that people are allergic to include: Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Shellfish, Fin Fish, Milk, Soy, and Wheat.
How can food allergies be treated?
The best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid the food that causes signs and symptoms. People at risk for anaphylaxis may carry a medication called epinephrine, often called an Epi-Pen, which can be injected if a reaction occurs.
(Source: www.mayoclinic.com )
Children who need epipens at school must have a doctor complete a medication form for school.
The epipen must come in the original box labeled from the pharmacy with your child's name.
Make sure to check the expiration dates to make sure that it will be good for the entire school year.
How to use an epipen:
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is an adverse reaction to a food that is triggered by the body’s immune system. During a reaction, the body releases chemicals that can affect the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system, the cardiovascular system, and the skin.
What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Common causes of anaphylaxis include: food, insect stings, latex, and medication.
What foods can people be allergic to?
The most common foods that people are allergic to include: Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Shellfish, Fin Fish, Milk, Soy, and Wheat.
How can food allergies be treated?
The best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid the food that causes signs and symptoms. People at risk for anaphylaxis may carry a medication called epinephrine, often called an Epi-Pen, which can be injected if a reaction occurs.
(Source: www.mayoclinic.com )
Children who need epipens at school must have a doctor complete a medication form for school.
The epipen must come in the original box labeled from the pharmacy with your child's name.
Make sure to check the expiration dates to make sure that it will be good for the entire school year.
How to use an epipen: