Food Allergies
FOOD ALLERGIES IN SCHOOL
The goal of the following our food allergy guidelines is to assist an identified allergic student in avoiding exposure to allergens. It is recognized, however, that the school district cannot guarantee the elimination of allergens from the school environment. Please review the document for additional information on keeping students with food allergies and glycogen storage disease safe in school.
- Notify the school of your child’s allergies and the history of presenting symptoms.
- Schedule an appointment with the school nurse, principal, teacher and cafeteria manager. Work with the school team to develop a plan that accommodates your child’s needs throughout the school including in the classroom, in the cafeteria, during school-sponsored activities, and on the school bus, as well as a Food Allergy Action Plan.
- A written Individualized Health Care Plan and Individualized Emergency Plan will be established by the school nurse in conjunction with the parent, student, the student’s health care provider who has documented the food allergy, and school personnel, to be followed in the event that an allergic student ingests or believes he/she has ingested an offending food.
- Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medication as directed by the physician who has documented the food allergy, using the Food Allergy Action Plan as a guide. Update as necessary. Include a photo of the child on written form. Return all forms in a timely manner.
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Provide the necessary, properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration.
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Families should work directly with any after-care programs or coaches as well.
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You may wish to request your child sits at a "peanut/nut free" table during lunch.
Please note: School Nurses and/or other school personnel will not attempt to determine whether foods brought to school are safe for a child with food allergies to consume. If the situation warrants, a call will be made to the parent/guardian to make the determination. School nurses and/or other school personnel will also not attempt to determine whether foods brought to school are safe to be eaten at the peanut free table.
Educate your child in the self-management of their food allergy including:
- safe and unsafe foods.
- strategies for avoiding exposure of unsafe foods including not sharing foods with classmates
- symptoms of allergic reactions
- how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem.
- how to read food labels (age appropriate)
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If your child is participating in the hot lunch program, read the ingredient labels weekly to determine which foods are "safe." No peanut butter, peanut or nut products will be served or sold by food services at elementary or middle schools.
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Southington High School serves peanut butter and nut products with a sign identifying them in the product line and on the menu. Contact the cafeteria manager or Food Service Director with questions and to review nutrient lists.
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Some parents request that a letter be sent home to the other classroom parents asking that no peanuts or peanut products be sent in for snacks. Although this may add a level of safety, it does not ensure that any food brought in is safe for your child. We strongly advise that you provide all snacks for your child.
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Students with severe life-threatening allergies may self-carry their EpiPen with MD, parent/legal guardian, and School Nurse authorization. Student must have the epinephrine auto-injector readily available for all field trips as well. You may wish to keep an extra epinephrine auto-injector in the Health Office in case your child forgets his/her prescribed EpiPen or Auvi-Q.
Connecticut State Department of Education, Guidelines for Managing Life-Threatening Food Allergies in Connecticut Schools
Contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child’s health. Written documentation from your child's physician must be brought to the school nurse in order to discontinue an epinephrine auto-injector medication in school.
WORDS A CHILD MIGHT USE TO DESCRIBE A REACTION
Children have unique ways of describing their experiences and perceptions, including allergic reactions. Precious time is lost when adults do not immediately recognize that a reaction is occurring or don’t understand what the children might be telling them.
In addition, know that sometimes children, especially very young ones, will put their hands in their mouths, or pull or scratch at their tongues, in response to a reaction. Also,children’s voices may change (i.e., become hoarse or squeaky), and they may slur their words.
If you suspect your child is having an allergic reaction, follow your doctor’s instructions.
The attached document contains examples of the words a child might use to describe a reaction.
From: Food Allergy Research & Education ©2025 FARE. All rights reserved.
For more information visit the Food Allergy Research and Education: http://www.foodallergy.org/
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this material. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.