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Life Threatening Allergies

In order to minimize the incidence of life threatening allergic reactions, the Belmont Public Schools (BPS) will do the following:

Request information: Request information from parents re: life threatening allergy:

  • Ask parent about history of past reactions, interventions and outcome
  • Provide parent with cover letter and Emergency Health Care Plan to be completed with health care provider, preferably an asthma/allergist specialist.

Implement IHCP: Implement an Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP) for each student:

  • Identify student to his or her teachers and cafeteria staff
  • Discuss allergens and possible student specific symptoms.
  • Review emergency response in the event of a reaction.

Send Letter Home: Send letter home to classroom parents, grades K-4, that requests foods sent in for snack or breakfasts avoid containing the stated allergen(s).

Food Free School Celebrations: Schools will encourage parents and teachers to have “food free” school parties and celebrations. Birthdays will not be celebrated with food.

Provide allergen free table: Provide an allergen free table in the cafeteria when necessary.

Life Threatening Allergy Binder: Nurses will maintain a red Life Threatening Allergy binder on desk which will contain Emergency Health Care Plans for all identified students for whom parents have provided information:

  • Emergency Health Care Plans will be updated annually and as information changes. Copies of this plan may be located in the classroom, in the substitute folder and in the cafeteria (when appropriate).
  • The Emergency Health Care Plan, contained in the Substitute Teacher folder, will be identified on the outside of the folder with a special alert.
  • Substitute teachers are encouraged to check in with the school nurse, prior to the start of the school day, to review this plan.
  • In September, nurses attend a faculty meeting to provide staff with information including a presentation regarding:
    • the most common allergens that cause life threatening allergies such as foods, medications, latex and stinging insects
    • how to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction
    • the emergency response in the event of an allergic reaction

Staff Training in Administration of Epinephrine: Staff training in administration of epinephrine is offered according to Department of Public Health guidelines for all Belmont Public School employees who come in contact with students:

  • Nurses will determine who will be designated to administer epinephrine in his / her absence.
  • Epinephrine auto-injectors (belonging to the school and those prescribed to the student) will be available in the nurse’s office and other clearly designated locations as specified in the IHP.
  • Parents will monitor the expiration date on their child’s epinephrine auto-injector and replace it as needed.
  • Staff will be informed of the location of the epinephrine auto-injectors.

Training for Staff: In-person at the beginning of the school year for all bus drivers and staff. 

Email Reminders to Staff: Email reminders to staff re: food allergies and risk for anaphylaxis at high risk times of year. i.e. Halloween, holidays, and end of year celebrations

Field Trip procedure: Field Trip procedure (student packet includes EHCP; emergency medications; 911 instructions.

  • Instruct parent to contact school nurse when they sign a permission form for trip/event.
  • Identify staff person responsible for administering epinephrine in the event of an allergic reaction.
  • Ensure that a communication device is available to the identified staff person.
  • Teachers will discourage students from eating foods on the bus unless medically indicated.
  • For the safety of your student, students who require emergency medication will not be allowed to participate in field trips unless all medical documentation and medication is provided to the nurse.

Information for School bus drivers: School bus drivers will be notified of the student(s) who have life threatening allergies, by parents, if they wish the driver to be informed.

Telephone procedure: Emergency contacts

Assistance for Parents: Assist parents in reading food labels and encourage communication with Belmont food service.

Information for coaches, KED, before and after school programs: Parents are encouraged to remember to share information with coaches, KED, before and after school programs.

End of Year Review: End of year request for update/ review of EHCP sent home.

The schools will work with food allergic students and parents to address the student’s social and emotional needs, as well as provide for their health and safety.