Allergies
If your child has an allergy, contact the school nurse prior to the start of the school year to complete the appropriate paperwork.
Steps to take if your child has a severe allergy
- Notify school nurse of your child’s allergy
- Each year, prior to the first day of school, provide the following items to the school nurse as needed:
- Anaphylaxis Action Plan signed by the parent/guardian and physician
- If your child has asthma, an Asthma Action Plan is also recommended each year.
- List of medications
- Epinephrine must have pharmacy label attached; please check expiration dates.
- Prior Consent to Release Private Data
- If a special diet is requested, complete the Special Diet Statement signed by the parent/guardian and physician and meet with the Food and Nutrition Services Manager in your child’s school to discuss your child’s special dietary needs. Review appropriate menu item selections with your child.
- The school nurse shares information about your child’s severe allergy on a need-to-know basis with additional school staff such as teachers, clerical staff, bus drivers and other support personnel. It is, however, very helpful for you to also make contact with your child’s teachers at the start of each school year to inform them of your child’s severe allergy and to answer any specific questions and address any concerns they may have.
- Contact the coordinators of your child’s before- and after-school, non-school-sponsored activities such as School-Age Care (SAC), Camp Invention, etc. These activities may take place when the school nurse is not available.
Anaphylaxis is a serious and potentially life threatening allergic reaction that is rapid in onset. DO NOT HESITATE to give Epinephrine.
FAQS about food allergies, intolerances and preferences
- What do I do if my child has a severe food allergy?
- What do I do if my child has celiac disease?
- How are peanut allergies handled?
- My child is lactose intolerant, how do I notify the school?
- What do the icons on the menu mean?
- How are other food preferences handled?
- Are there vegetarian options?