Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Food Allergy Policy & Plan

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

2. Food Allergies….a growing concern • 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).

4. Process & Timeline December 2011- District Task Force (DTF) created January to April 2011 - 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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……