I. BACKGROUND

* The number of children in the United States who are allergic to peanuts doubled from 1984-1994.
* The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) recommends all school personnel develop a system of identifying children with life threatening allergies and be prepared to deal with life-threatening reactions.
II. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
* In order to minimize the incidence of life threatening allergic reactions, the Carlisle Public Schools (CPS) will maintain a system-wide procedure for addressing life threatening allergic reactions and maintain an Emergency Health Care Plan (EHCP) for any student(s) whose parent/guardian, and physicians have informed the school in writing that the student(s) has a potentially life threatening allergy.
III. PROCEDURE FOR IMPLEMENTING LIFE THREATENING ALLERGY POLICY
In order to minimize the incidence of life threatening allergic reactions, the Carlisle Public Schools (CPS) will:
* provide training and education for all Carlisle Public School employees.
* in conjunction with the student’s parent/guardian and primary care provider and/or allergist, maintain an Emergency Health Care Plan (EHCP) for any student identified with a potentially life-threatening allergy.
* encourage parents to participate in the support and implementation of this policy.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND EDUCATION
* Will be provided to ALL school employees (including bus drivers, food service staff, etc.),
* Initial employee training and education will include (but not be limited to):
- a description/definition of severe allergies and a discussion of
the most common food, medication, latex and stinging insect allergies.
- the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.
- the correct use of an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen).
- specific steps to follow in the event of an emergency.
- the video “It Only Takes One Bite” provided by the Food Allergy Network.
- completion of an “Evaluation Form” by each employee after training.
- activating Emergency Medical Response - Dial 911.
- location of emergency EpiPen.
* Policy and procedure will be reviewed at the beginning of every school year.

PROCEDURES FOR LIFE THREATENING ALLERGY ISSUES

GENERAL SCHOOL PROCEDURES
* At all levels, the school nurse, in conjunction with the student’s parent/guardian and the primary care provider/allergist, will prepare an Emergency Health Care Plan (EHCP) for any student with a life threatening allergy. This EHCP will be updated annually and reviewed by the school nurse, the student’s parent/guardian, and the primary care provider and/or the student’s allergist. The EHCP will include the student’s name, the allergen(s), the warning signs and symptoms, what to do in case of an emergency and phone numbers of parents, doctors, and allergists. The EHCP will be available in the health office and will accompany a student on any field trip.
* Photographs of student with life threatening allergies (LTA) will be attached to the EHCP with permission of the parent/guardian.
* The school nurse will review the student’s EHCP with the parent annually, or if there are any changes in the child’s medical condition, classroom, or action plan.
* EpiPens (belonging to the school and those prescribed to the students) will be available in the nurse’s office. An emergency EpiPen will be available in the main office. At the beginning of each school year or upon assuming a staff position, all staff (including substitutes) will be informed by the school nurse of the locations of the EpiPens. With parental permission, students are allowed and encouraged to carry their EpiPen on their person as allowed in the medication policy.
* The school nurse will be responsible for notifying classroom teachers about the nature of the life threatening allergies faced by students. This notification will include an explanation of the severity of the health threat, a description of the signs and symptoms to be aware of and what allergen (food, materials, etc.) to avoid.
* If the parent is in agreement, information about the child’s LTA will be distributed to the designated staff members. Staff will be reminded that all medical information is confidential and shared on a need to know basis. Teachers will be responsible for keeping an updated substitute folder containing information that needs to be shared.

CLASSROOMS
* Teachers must be familiar with the EHCP (Emergency Health Care Plan) of students in their classes and respond to emergencies as per the emergency protocol documented in the Emergency Health Care Plan.
* In the event of a suspected allergic reaction (where there is no known allergic history), the school nurse will be called and the school’s Emergency Response Plan activated. The emergency medical services will be called immediately.
* The classroom will have easy communication with the school nurse by such means as functioning telephone, walkie-talkie or cell phone.
* Information will be kept about students’ food allergies in the classroom and in the substitute emergency folder, accessible by teachers, substitutes or other responsible adults.
* All teachers, aides and substitutes will be educated about the risk of food allergies.
* A parent or guardian of a student with food allergies is responsible for providing all food for his/her own child. Snacks will be kept in a separate snack box or chest provided by the parent or guardian.
* Tables will be washed with soap and water following any food related events held in the classroom.
* Sharing or trading food in the class will be prohibited.
* Proper hand cleaning techniques will be taught and encouraged before and after the handling/consumption of food.
* In the classroom, a “nut-free” table will be established and maintained as an option for students with peanut allergies.

SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
* The school nurse will recommend to the administration the appropriateness of each field trip and consideration of safety of the student with life-threatening allergies.
* Protocols for field trips will include timely notification to the nurse.
* Medications including an EpiPen and a copy of the student’s Emergency Health Care Plan must accompany the student.
* A cell phone or other communication device must be available on the trip for emergency calls.
* Parents of a student at risk for anaphylaxis will be invited to accompany their child on school trips, in addition to the chaperone.
* In the absence of accompanying parents/guardian or nurse, another individual must be trained and assigned the task of watching out for the student’s welfare and for handling any emergency. The adult carrying the EpiPen will be identified and introduced to the student as well as the other chaperones.

SCHOOL BUS
* Eating food is prohibited on school buses.
* School bus drivers will be trained by appropriate personnel in risk reduction procedures, recognition of allergic reaction, and implementation of bus emergency plan procedures.
* With parental permission, school bus drivers will be provided with a list of all students on his/her bus with LTA’s.
* The school bus must have a cell phone or other means of communication for emergency calls.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND RECESS
* In the event of a suspected allergic reaction (where there is no known allergic history), the school nurse will be called and the school’s Emergency Response Plan activated. The emergency medical services will be called immediately.
* Teachers and staff responsible for physical education or recess will be trained by appropriate personnel to recognize and respond to exercise-induced anaphylaxis, as well as anaphylaxis caused by other allergens.
* Staff in the gym, playground and other sites used for recess will have a walkie-talkie, cell phone or similar communication device for emergency communication.
* A current EpiPen will be readily accessible, and an adult staff member onsite will be trained in its use, for previously diagnosed students in schools registered with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
* After school activities sponsored by the school must be consistent with school policies and procedures regarding life-threatening allergies.
* The school nurse will identify who is responsible for keeping an EpiPen during sporting events.
* With written parental permission, the coach or adult staff member in charge will be provided with a list of students who have life-threatening allergies.
* The staff member (or his/her designee) will maintain a current EpiPen in the first aid kit, to be used by designated trained school personnel for previously diagnosed students.

FOOD SERVICE/DINING ROOM

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
* Have knowledge of: menus, a la carte items; vending machines; recipes; food products and ingredients; food handling practices; cleaning and sanitation practices; and responsibility of various staff (or additional contract employees at individual school) in relation to life threatening allergies.
* Establish communications and training for all school food service staff and related personnel at the student’s school.
* Maintain contact information with vendors and purveyors to access food content information.RESPONSIBILITIES OF DINING ROOM

EMPLOYEES
* In the event of a suspected allergic reaction (where there is no known allergic history), the school nurse will be called and the school’s Emergency Response Plan activated. The emergency medical services will be called immediately.
* LTA free tables will be available where students are able to sit with their friends and classmates. The table will be clearly identified and cleaned by staff.

Date:

Dear Parents,
This letter is to inform you that a student in your child’s classroom has a severe peanut/nut allergy. Strict avoidance of peanut/nut products is the only way to prevent a life threatening allergic reaction. We are asking your assistance in providing the student with a safe learning environment.
If exposed to peanut products or nut products through contact or ingestion, the student may develop a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical treatment. Please consider not sending any peanut or nut containing products for your child to eat during snack in the classroom. If your child has eaten peanut or nut products prior to coming to school, please be sure your child’s hands have been thoroughly washed prior to entering the school.
In the dining room, your child may bring peanut butter, peanut or nut products for lunch. There will be a designated peanut-free table. If your child sits at this table with a peanut or nut product, s/he will be asked to move to another table. This plan will help to maintain safety in the classroom while allowing non allergic classmates to enjoy peanut/nut products in a controlled environment at lunch. Following each lunch period, the nut free tables will be cleaned with soap, water and paper towels.
We appreciate your support of these procedures. If you have any questions, please contact one of us.

____________________________________________
Signature of Co-Principal/Nurse