1. Managing Seizures in the Classroom
Norfolk Public Schools: Mandatory School Health Training for all Employees
Managing Seizures in the Classroom
Managing Anaphylaxis
Use of Epi-Pens

2. Who needs this information?
ANYONE and EVERYONE who works with NPS students.
It is for all elementary, middle and high school staff, including teachers, administrators, cafeteria workers, security guards, custodians, or anyone else that will come in contact with students.

3. Is this training mandatory?
Yes, it is required for all school personnel to have this training.
The Virginia School Health Guidelines recommends routine training for all school personnel.

4. Helping Children Manage Epilepsy at School

5. What is epilepsy A moment of unresponsiveness
The inability to recall what just happened
Convulsions or jerking movements
Sudden stiffness of the body

6. Causes of Seizures
All types of seizures, including those not associated with epilepsy, can have a number of causes, including:
A brain injury
A brain tumor
Changes in metabolism (e.g., low blood sugar) from health conditions like kidney and liver problems
An infection throughout or in a particular part of the body (including infection in the brain)
Drug use or withdrawal
Alcohol use or withdrawal
A congenital health problem, like Down's syndrome
Stroke
Alzheimer's disease

7. Management of a Seizure in the Classroom
REMAIN CALM.
Have someone else contact the nurse and/or office.
If possible, note what time the seizure starts.
Help the student having the seizure to a safe location (e.g., floor).
Move objects (e.g., desks, chairs, books) away from the student.
Turn student on their side. Do not leave the student lying on their back.
For comfort, you may place a jacket/sweatshirt under their head.
Stay with the student.
Do not put anything in their mouth.
Do not try to restrain them.
If possible, remove other students from the room.
When the seizure episode is over, document the length of the seizure and what happened during and after the seizure.
Know when to call 911.

8. What to Tell Your Class About a Student with Epilepsy
Ask the parent if it is alright to share the following information with the class.
The behavior is called a seizure, and it's part of an illness called epilepsy.
It isn't a sickness that you can catch from another person.
Seizures are things that happen because sometimes the brain gets confused in telling the body what to do.
Seizures will stop on their own after a few minutes, and then the person will be himself again (although some children may be drowsy for a while).
Having a seizure is not dangerous, just frightening.
Medicine can prevent a lot of seizures, but not all of them.
By explaining these things, you will encourage other students to ask the student with epilepsy questions, like how it feels to have a seizure. The more everyone talks about epilepsy, the less of an issue it becomes.

9. Anaphylaxis and Epi-Pen 101
Helping Children Manage Allergies at School

10. What is a Anaphylaxis
An allergic reaction that can be life-threatening and may occur after people are exposed to an allergen, or substance they are allergic to.
The symptoms of anaphylaxis usually come on suddenly and require immediate medical attention, but can occur up to 1-2 hours after exposure to the allergen.
Anaphylactic allergic reactions most commonly occur in people who are allergic to certain foods, medications, or insect stings.
Anaphylaxis cannot be totally avoided in the school setting.

11. Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
Symptoms may vary and may include:
Skin rash
Dizziness or fainting
Anxiety
Nausea and vomiting
Tightness in the throat or chest
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Nasal congestion
Tongue swelling
Pale or blue complexion
Itching in the mouth or throat
Red, itchy, and watery eyes
Cough, dry and persistent
Headache
Low heart rate
Cramping
These symptoms usually occur almost immediately after exposure to the allergen, but the anaphylactic reaction will sometimes not become full-blown until hours later.

12. What Will Happen at School
Anaphylaxis/Allergy letters to go home with ALL students.
School Nurse will inform teachers of the students in their class with an allergy.
A Life-Threatening Allergy Management Plan (LAMP) will be used for all students that require medication use to treat an anaphylactic reaction.
Certain staff and teachers will be trained in the use of Epinephrine/Epi-Pens.
If at any time there is any question about a student’s allergy and/or LAMP, please contact the school nurse IMMEDIATELY.

13. Treatment of Anaphylaxis
All students with identified severe allergies should have individual epi-pens and an emergency plan in place.
Epinephrine is used to treat anaphylaxis. This medication require a doctor’s order.
Epinephrine must be administered/given at the FIRST sign of anaphylaxis. Sometimes up to 2 doses of epinephrine may be needed if symptoms do not improve in 5 minutes.
All employees must be trained to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis and how to treat anaphylaxis.
The Principal and his/her designees will obtain further training by the school nurse on how to use the Epi-pens.

14. Doses of Epinephrine Epi-Pen Jr. – 0.15mg per pen, Green Box
For students 33 – 66 lbs.
Epi-Pen – 0.30 mg per pen, Yellow Box
For students greater than 66 lbs.

15. How to Use an Epi-Pen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXlqSuzzrws
If you are in doubt, always give the shot.
Call 911.

16. Acknowledgement Form
I acknowledge that I have received training on Managing Seizures, Managing Anaphylaxis and Use of the Epi-pen. Date_____________________________________________ Employee’s Name (print)__________________________ Employee’s Signature_____________________________ School___________________________________________ School Nurse’s Name______________________________