Summary & Existing Procedures

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  • CLSC identification of families and students with existingepipen requirements
  • Each class with students having severe allergies / epipens
    • Signs indicating specific allergies posted on the outside of the class
    • Photos posted inside the classroom
    • Students made aware and sensitized (monitoring and washing routines)
  • Regular teaching staff trained in the use of epipens and procedures should a case of anaphylaxis shock occur
  • 1st aid training delivered to Day Care / Supervisory / Aide staff & Front Office staff
  • Supply teachers are informed of procedures and have access to information on emergency procedures
  • Recovery Bay (sick room) contains readily available epipens, health information including photos, and first aid kits
  • School bus drivers informed about severe allergies
  • Parents informed via newsletters of existing allergy concerns
  • Internal signage will make broader community aware of allergens in the school and how to respect our environment

Allergy Procedures:
A Working Document Approved in Principle

Consultation: Governing Board members / parent delegations at Open Forum (Governing Board) / Western Quebec School Board Senior Administration. Foundation document: Anaphylaxis Handbook, Canadian School Boards Association (in collaboration with Health Canada).

Rationale:  There has been a marked increase in the number of children with life-threatening allergies (Anaphylaxis) enrolling in schools across the country, Chelsea included.  Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be caused by foods, insect stings, medications, latex or other substances. While anaphylaxis can lead to death if untreated, anaphylactic reactions and fatalities can be avoided. Education and awareness are key to keeping children with potentially life-threatening allergies safe. Anaphylaxis management is a shared responsibility that includes allergic children, parents, caregivers and the entire school community.

As Kindergarten is often the first time that both children and parents have had to manage their allergies in a group setting and without the parent present, it is a learning experience for all concerned.  At the kindergarten and elementary school age, children’s allergies are still developing and changing so procedures must be kept fluid, and constant communication between home and school is essential.

It is unrealistic to expect that a school can guarantee an allergen-free environment. We can however, do our best to provide an allergy-safe environment. This can be achieved by ensuring that:

  1. strategies are in place to minimize the potential for accidental exposure,
  2. children at risk are identified and have an individual plan,
  3. staff and key volunteers are trained to respond in an emergency situation,
  4.  a communication plan is in place for dissemination of information about life-threatening allergies.

Our Practice

Identification of children at risk

  • The Administration must ensure that all registration forms are reviewed by the teachers and CLSC liaison nurse prior to the start of school and that all children who have indicated that they have allergies are identified. The administration brings these children to the attention of their teachers.
  • The Administration and teachers should meet with parents of children at risk for anaphylaxis at the commencement of school. This is to ensure understanding of the allergy under concern and to establish individual emergency procedures and global daily procedure with regard to preventing exposure to the allergen.
  • The Administration will advise each family to complete an Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan that should be signed by their doctor. A photo of the child will be attached and permission should be asked to post the Emergency Plan in the classroom and on the wall by the snack tables.
    Emergency Plan available from Anaphylaxis Canada
    Posters listing the allergies in each class will be posted in the classroom, at the snack table, and in the kitchen. This is the responsibility of the Administration.

Food

Individuals at risk of anaphylaxis must learn to avoid specific triggers but children in Cycle 1cannot be expected to be responsible for that yet. Their families are responsible but also the school community. The school will take special care to avoid exposure to allergy-causing substances.

  • School aims to be a sesame, nut and peanut free school. This cannot be guaranteed due to the nature of shared space but signs will be posted in a variety of locations asking people to not bring sesame nuts and/or peanuts into the school and all families will be informed of this by the Administration
  • After consultation with the parents of each allergic child, all families in the school will be informed of the particular allergies and the additional prohibited items, if any by the Administration
  • The Administration will notify the class of each allergic child of any particulars limited to that class. In the case of an anaphylactic dairy allergy for example, this may mean no spillable, spreadable dairy shall be brought for snack or in any child’s lunch in a given class. With respect to particular dietary needs, such as the need to bring yogurt, parents should contact the principal to discuss arrangements.
  • Each person entering the classroom (particularly children) must take care to wash their hands frequently as directed by posters in each room. Good oral hygiene is also recommended. The school requests that all parents ensure that regular brushing occurs.
  • Students will be reminded frequently by their teachers to wash their hands after eating and using the bathroom. Similarly, snack time will include similar procedures.
  • No known allergens will be brought into the classroom for any reason (craft, science, cooking, etc.)
  • Any time food is used in the curriculum; the parents of the allergic child should be consulted by the teachers to ensure that no allergens are present in the planned ingredients. This applies to science, craft, sensory, and cooking activities.

Each child with potential anaphylactic allergies will:

  • Eat only food that they have brought from home
  • Not share food, utensils or containers
  • Be seated in such a way that they are in good view of the teachers and that contact with the others children’s food is minimized (ie. At the end of the table facing the teachers)
  • Place food on a napkin, wax paper or plate rather than in direct contact with a desk or table
  • Will wash conscientiously to ensure that cleanliness is maintained

Animals

  • Due to the fact that children with allergies are at risk of developing allergies/asthma to animals upon repeated exposure, school will not have pets with a high degree of allergen potential on a long term basis (mammals, birds).
  • Animals may visit on a short term basis provided no children are allergic to that animal and that parents have had a note from the homeroom teacher or the principal that an animal will be present.

Other Allergens

  • In the event of non-food allergens such as latex or insect bites, procedure will be noted in the child’s individual plan by theAdministration following consultation with the parents.

Communication

The most critical part of making our school an allergy-safe environment is effective communication between all partners; school, parents, and children.

  • The Administration will inform all parents of the anaphylactic allergies in the school. This will be done at the Open House, by email to all families in September, and in the newsletter
  • Particular attention will be paid to informing the parents of the class that the allergic child is in.
  • A list of the allergies in each class will be posted.
  • Posters with each child’s photo will also be posted in the classroom. (anaphylaxis Canada)
  • The Administration will place posters on the signs of anaphylaxis in highly visible areas of the school.
  • Signs requesting that particular allergens not be brought into the school will be posted at various locations.
  • The Administration will be responsible for informing the staff and requesting that all users of our space be respectful of these allergies.
  • Each child’s individual action plan will be reviewed by all teachers each term and all teachers will be trained on the use of an epipen and the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis annually. This training will be done by either a parent of an anaphylactic child or by another qualified individual.
  • Each child’s emergency plan will be posted in the classroom.
  • Any supply teachers in a class with allergic children will be asked by the other teachers to read each child’s emergency plan at the start of the day and to seek clarification if necessary.
  • The parents of each allergic child are responsible for keeping the teachers updated with any changes in their child’s allergies or to the recommended emergency action plan.
  • The newsletter should feature an article explaining anaphylaxis each year that there are allergic children in the school.
  • The teachers should recognize that the parent is the best source of information about their child’s allergies and open communication should be maintained.
  • The teachers will talk to the children repeatedly, whenever the opportunity exists, about the allergies, what an epipen is, etc.
  • Website based resource for parents with information and links explaining what anaphylaxis is.
  • A list of suggestions for snacks and lunch under the terms “suggested alternatives.”

Epipens

  • In the case of allergies that may result in an anaphylactic reaction the family must provide two epipens for use at school. One is to remain in the classroom at all times and the other shall remain with the child ie. In their backpack.
  • If the child is old enough (4.5-5) and usually carries his epipen on his person, this will be acceptable.
  • All teachers will be trained by a qualified individual on the use of epipens each fall as well as on the signs of anaphylaxis
  • The teachers must ensure that two epipens are brought on each field trip or excursion away from the school in which an allergic child is participating.

Procedures

Adults must listen to the concerns of the child at risk, who usually knows when a reaction is occurring even before signs appear. Young children will not be able to self-administer their auto-injector. In some cases, children may be fearful of getting a needle or may be in denial that they are having a reaction.

  • Specific procedures may vary dependent on each child’s specific allergy
  • Procedures will be posted and copies placed in the Policy and Procedures manual
  • In general, at the first sign of anaphylaxis, the epipen will be administered by a teacher. Time of injection should be noted. The second epipen should therefore be located at this time. If symptoms persist or worsen after 10-15 minutes and the ambulance has not arrived, inject the second epipen
  • This teacher will stay with the child to reassure them
  • 911 will be called by either the other teacher or another adult
  • The parents of the child will then be contacted
  • One teacher is with the rest of the class and will continue with the normal routine, while reassuring them that their friend will be okay
  • If the ambulance arrives before the child’s parents, a school employee will accompany the child to the hospital.
  • The back-up Epipen goes with the child in the ambulance. If there has been no improvement in symptoms after 10-15 minutes, the second epipen should be injected.