Do You Have Any Back to School Tips or School Form Guidelines for Food Allergy Families?

Please reference the following school planning tips and school form guidelines below:

School Planning Tips

1. Communicate with the School 
   
   1. Start early, if possible, in the spring before  the next school year.
   2. Find out if your school or school district  has a school nurse. (Most schools do not have a school nurse on campus full time)
      1. Determine who would manage an emergency and administer medications in the nurses absence.
   3.  Request a meeting with the school nurse and or principle to discuss your child’s food allergies
   4. Ask if the school/school district has any  food allergy management policies in place.
   5. Create an *Emergency Action Plan to meet your child’s needs
      1. Where will your child’s emergency medicine be kept unlocked during the school day?
      2. What experience has the school had with food-related emergencies?
      3. What are the procedures for shelter-in-place and evacuations? 
      4. How are food and medicines handled during emergencies?
      5. How are food allergies managed on school  buses and during after-school activities?
      6. Field trips (Who carries medicine?  Can parents attend? etc.)
2.  Inquire about staff training.
   1. Does the school nurse train school staff on managing food allergies? Who and when?
3. How does the school deal with bullying about food allergies? 
   1. Does the school educate students about food allergies?
4. Check in periodically with school staff to make sure the plan is working and your child is adjusting.

1. Prevent delays in receiving your completed forms before the next school year.
2. Get copies of the forms your school requires before the end of the current school year for the following school year
3. If you aren’t able to obtain necessary forms before school ends, most schools have medical forms available online to download. 
   1. You do NOT have to wait for school to start to obtain the needed forms from your school
4. Forms need be completed before a new school year starts: 
   
   1. Medication authorization forms –  These forms state if your child can  self-carry and/or self-administer  medicines at school and are required  even if the medicine will be stored and administered by school staff.   
   2. Special dietary meals accommodation  form – You will need this if your child will  be eating meals provided by school.  
   3. Emergency action plan (EAP) form –  This tells caregivers what to do in case  of an allergic emergency.

1. Request required prescriptions for emergency medicine from your doctor before school begins (epinephrine auto-injectors)
2. Plan ahead!! You will need multiple sets of medications, including epinephrine auto-injectors. Most insurance companies will refill once per month. Fill sets early in summer to have a set for school and home.
   1. Remember- NEVER separate a set. Each location requires TWO epinephrine auto-injectors 

1. Do they feel comfortable and prepared to manage an emergency?
2. Discuss how your child typically reacts during an allergic emergency
3. Discuss allergen control strategies in the classroom and during activities such as music or art projects that may use foods or materials containing allergens (encourage  non-food curriculum whenever possible)
4. Classroom celebrations  (encourage non-food items)
5. Inquire about volunteering in the classrooms, especially during such projects or celebrations
6. Discuss handwashing practices before and after eating, or use of hand wipes (not hand sanitizer) 
7. What is the process for alerting substitute teachers about children with food allergies?
8. Consider providing allergy-friendly school supplies, including hand wipes or snacks 

1. Tell a grownup if they start to have an  allergic reaction at school
2. Discuss what their body might do if they were to have an allergic reaction
3. Report any bullying or harassment by staff or students
4. Read food labels & avoid foods without labels
5. Do not share food
6. Self-carrying readiness and how to use an epinephrine auto-injector (discuss readiness to self-carry with your child’s doctor as well)

Reasonable Accommodations

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504, a food allergy may be considered a disability depending on its severity. These laws ensure that children with disabilities have access to a “free appropriate public education.” If your child has a food allergy, you can work with their school to obtain reasonable accommodations. Here are some common accommodations for students with food allergies:

1. Designated Allergy-Free Areas: Schools can create specific eating areas, such as peanut-free tables, where students with allergies can safely eat without exposure to allergens.
   1. There should always be a responsible adult present to supervise to minimize exposure risks, enforce handwashing, and assist in an emergency situation
2. Food Free Classrooms
3. Hand Washing Policies: Schools can reinforce frequent handwashing. Especially after lunch time and before entering a classroom with an allergic student 
4. Clearly Labeled Food Options: Cafeterias, dining halls, and school events should offer clearly labeled, allergen-free food options (e.g., dairy-free, nut-free) to accommodate students with food allergies.
5. Staff Training: Educators and staff should receive training on recognizing allergic reactions, administering epinephrine, and responding to emergencies.
6. Emergency Action Planning
7. Communication: Schools should communicate with parents, teachers, and other relevant staff about students’ allergies and necessary precautions.
8. Individualized Plans: Schools can develop individualized health plans (IHPs) or 504 plans for students with severe allergies. These plans outline specific accommodations, emergency procedures, and communication protocols. If you feel your school is unwilling to make reasonable accommodations, this is an option available to you to keep your child safe. 
   1. In the majority of cases, schools are familiar with food allergy protocols and are willing to make reasonable accommodations without a 504 plan.

Remember that accommodations may vary based on the specific needs of each student and the severity of their food allergy. It’s essential to collaborate with the school to create a safe and supportive environment for all students