Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Food Allergy Policy & Plan June 28, 2011

A food allergy can be potentially fatal. Scientists estimate that approximately 12 million Americans (4% of the population) suffer from food allergies. Food allergies are a growing public health concern in the United States and associated anaphylaxis appears to be on the rise. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1997 to 2007, the prevalence of reported food allergies increased 18% among children under 18 years (October 2008). Food Allergies….a growing concern

Indian Hill Student Food Allergy Count GradeNumberAllergies Primary School10 Kindergarten2 eggs, tree nuts, seafood, shellfish 1st Grade4 eggs, poultry, tree nuts, legumes. Soy, peanuts, tree nuts, mangos 2nd Grade4 peanuts, fish, nuts, egg whites, shellfish Elementary School16 3rd Grade6 peanuts, tree nuts, all nuts, eggs, sesame seeds, milk, peas, fish (1 student can only eat 7 foods) 4th Grade1shellfish, fish 5th Grade9 peanuts, eggs, egg whites, tree nuts, shellfish, strawberries, red dye, nuts Middle School7 6th Grade2 peanuts, tree nuts, mangos 7th Grade2 peanuts, bees, sesame seeds 8th Grade3 peanuts, tree nuts High School20 9th Grade5 peanuts, strawberries, tree nuts, shellfish 10th Grade4 shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, almonds, peaches, grapes 11th Grade6 bees, peanuts, nuts, shellfish, strawberries, latex, all nuts 12th Grade5 milk, milk protein, peanuts, bananas District Total53 *5 students are considered to have “life-threatening allergies”.

Process & Timeline December District Task Force (DTF) created January to April DTF meetings - reviewed, researched and gathered information Medical Information National, State, Local School Policies/Guidelines Staff Training Food Use in Schools/Classrooms Social Inclusion & Accommodations for Individual Students Staff Survey, Student Focus Groups, Parent Focus Group April to June- District and Administrative Committees reviewed DTF information and developed a Plan for Implementation

Policy for Managing Allergies in the Schools Establish a safe environment for students with food allergies Understand that food allergies can be life threatening Support parents regarding food allergy management Commit to minimizing risks and providing a safe educational environment for food allergic students

Plan for Managing Allergies in the Schools Staff Training Emergency Response Procedures – Individual Health Care Plans Implementation and Responsibilities – Expectations for Food Use in the Schools – Planning for the Individual Student

Food Allergy Staff Training Staff Certified Staff (ie: teachers, counselors, administrators) Instructional Aides Bus Drivers Food Service & Custodians Coaches/Advisors Volunteers, as appropriate Substitute Teachers/Instructional Aides Secretaries Training will include the use of internal personnel and outside resources when necessary

Food Allergy Staff Training Consistency in delivery of Training Overview of the medical concerns - student allergies List of students with specific allergies Seriousness of the condition Pre & Post Assessment Administering the Epi-Pen (protocol- location, student carrying) Awareness of Symptoms- child perspective Emergency Procedures including the Individual Student Health Plan Mid-Year Review/Refresher Documentation- sign off/attendance/follow-up Social Inclusion- Awareness

Social Inclusion Education: Students, Staff, Parents & Community Curriculum: Bullying & Student Education – Acceptance – Food Sharing – Personal Hygiene Pre- Planning and Consideration of School/Classroom Activities – Procedures- Approval Forms – Reasonable Accommodations Staff Awareness (Training)

Expectations for Food Use in the Schools Snacks: K-grade 5 Students are permitted healthy nut free snacks. Students in grades 6-12 will be permitted to have snacks. In specific classrooms, snacks may need to be further restricted to ensure the safety of students with allergens or other chronic health issues. Parties: Kindergarten-grade 5 holiday parties are limited to 3 parties per year. Room parents are encouraged to bring in non-food items for sharing and to focus on activities and crafts that encourage team building. Food items for parties must be pre-approved by the classroom teacher. Food items brought in are limited to one food and one beverage item. During kindergarten-grade 5 birthday celebrations, parents are permitted to bring in non-food items for sharing. Students in grades 6-12 will not have holiday or birthday parties at school.

Expectations for Food Use in the Schools Incentives/Rewards: Staff members will continue to use positive reinforcement such as stickers, praise, encouragement, and other creative strategies for incentives or rewards. Food items will not be used unless noted on a student’s individual plan. Instructional and School Sponsored Activity Food Use : Instructional use of food in the classroom must be preapproved by the building principal through the use of an Indian Hill Curriculum or Activity Form. Lunch in the Classroom: Staff and students may continue to eat lunch in the classroom, taking care to clean areas after use.

Food Allergy Procedures Forms and Communication – Individual Health Action Plan – Allergy Action Plan – Forms for the Substitute Teacher – Field Trip Planning Form – Curriculum and Activity Approval Forms – Classroom Letter to Parents – Training Form & Pre/Post Assessment

Food Allergy Responsibilities Checklists – Building Administrator/Principal – District Nurse – Health Specialist – Classroom Teachers – Food Service Director – Transportation Director – Athletic Director/Coaches – Students with Allergies – Parents of Students with Allergies

Dr. Jane Knudson, Superintendent Kim Lewis, Board of Education Member Elizabeth Johnston, Board of Education Member Chris & Kate Bell, Parents Kathy Layden-Palmer, Parent Shelli Wineland, Parent Linda Hoffsis, Parent Sandy Harte, Primary School Principal Melissa Stewart, Elementary School Principal Kim Miller, Middle School Principal Josh Kauffman, High School Assistant Principal Jennifer Oden, Primary School Counselor Sarah Kellett, Elementary School Counselor Donita Jackson, Middle School Counselor Kathi Clark, District Nurse Pam Larsen, Middle School Health Specialist Judy Neff, Primary School Health Specialist Marty Majchszak, Primary School Health/Physical Education Teacher Heather Hardesty, First grade Teacher Karen Martin, Third Grade Teacher Damon Davis, Fourth Grade Teacher Natalie Lohrum, Elementary School Intervention Specialist Ellen Hughes, High School Health & Physical Education Teacher Special Thanks to……