Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy Information
Dear South Nodaway Families,
We have several students in our building with Peanut/Tree Nut allergies. Please read and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for all your help with this!
1. Please do not send any peanuts, peanut butter or foods containing peanut butter to be eaten as snacks in the classroom. It is fine to send these products for lunch, which is eaten in the cafeteria. Tables are washed between every class and children with nut allergies are monitored.
2. We will not be doing any classroom projects that involve peanut butter (like bird feeders) or peanut shells (art projects). Please do not send any of these projects into the classroom with your child.
3. Parties are a special time for children, but can be a difficult time for the food-allergic child. If you would like to send in baked goods, please be careful about the ingredients. Please let the classroom teacher know a few days in advance of your wanting to bring birthday snacks so that the children with allergies can decide if it is best to bring a treat from home.
4. Please do not enclose candy or food treats without first contacting your child's teacher or the school nurse.
5. Children who have eaten peanut butter or peanut products for lunch will wash their hands when they return from the cafeteria. They will also be asked to throw away any uneaten portion. We will not be serving peanut butter in the cafeteria. Similarly, if your child eats peanut butter for breakfast, we would greatly appreciate you making sure that his/her hands are washed with soap and water before leaving for school.
This is a learning process for all of us, but we trust that you understand how deeply important it is to respect and adhere to these guidelines. If throughout the course of the year you have any questions or concerns about food-allergy-related issues, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy school year,
Sincerely
Principals
Aaron Murphy, Elementary Dustin Skoglund, Junior High and High School
School Nurse
Tabitha Holtman
Food allergies can be life threatening. The risk of accidental exposure to foods can be reduced in the school setting if schools work with students, parents, and physicians to minimize risks and provide a safe educational environment for food-allergic students.
Family's Responsibility
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Notify the school of the child's allergies.
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Work with the school team to develop a plan that accommodates the child's needs throughout the school including in the classroom, in the cafeteria, in after-care programs, during school-sponsored activities, and on the school bus, as well as a Food Allergy Action Plan.
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Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medications as directed by a physician, using the Food Allergy Action Plan as a guide. Include a photo of the child on written form.
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Provide properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration.
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Educate the child in the self-management of their food allergy including: a safe and unsafe foods a strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods a symptoms of allergic reactions how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem
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c) how to read food labels (age appropriate)
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Review policies/procedures with the school staff, the child's physician, and the child (if age appropriate) after a reaction has occurred.
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Provide emergency contact information.
Student's Responsibility
• Should not trade food with others.
• Should not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen.
• Should be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions based on their developmental level.
• Should notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain the food to which they are allergic.
