Allergy and Seizure Plans
Food/Environmental Allergy (including, but not limited to, peanut allergy)
Chapel Hill ISD food and/or environmental allergy Emergency Action Plans will be individualized for all students who have allergies and have completed the appropriate steps. Once notified by a legal guardian of a student's allergy and upon receipt of appropriate medications and a physician allergy plan, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is developed. The Emergency Action Plan is created from the physician's plan and includes what to look for and when/how to treat an anaphylactic reaction. The Emergency Action Plan is given and reviewed by any teacher, administrator, coach, counselor, cafeteria, transportation, and staff member that may have contact with the student during a school day. This ensures that all staff members working with the affected student, are trained to recognize and intervene in an allergic reaction. This will include training these staff members annually on how to use an Epi-Pen. The emergency response team in each school drills annually to hone their response skills. In the case of severe life-threatening allergies, the school principal will collaborate with the school nurse to send letters to other parents of the class requesting parents to voluntarily refrain from sending the allergen food in their child's belongings during school or for after-school activities, celebrations or parties (only on Elementary and Intermediate Campuses).
Depending on physical constraints within the school, the principal may designate a food-allergy-friendly area or lunch table. The Food and Nutritional service department, in collaboration with the parents and school nurse, will follow the CHISD regulation for food allergies and meal substitution, when applicable. However, a Statement Regarding Meal Substitutions or Modifications Form must be filled out with the campus nurse and physician. Hand-washing guidelines for staff and students are enforced. The custodial department will follow procedures that mandate the cleaning of surfaces daily. Non-food items may be adapted in the curriculum for those classes that have students with food allergies. While Chapel Hill ISD cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment at school, the district is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety of every child who has allergies.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction. The most dangerous symptoms include breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure or shock. Common examples of potentially life threatening allergies are those to food or stinging insects. Other allergic reactions may also occur to medications, latex or while exercising. The emergency treatment is epinephrine, which is usually supplied in Epi-Pens. This is for use by the nurse and trained staff members in case of unexpected anaphylaxis. Chapel Hill ISD has developed guidelines to manage students with these life threatening allergies so that they may safely participate in the educational process.
CHMS and CHHS students that qualify and are at risk for developing anaphylaxis are entitled to carry and self-administer their anaphylaxis medications (Epi-Pens). To quality to self carry, they have to meet the legal requirements below: The medication and the self-administration must be authorized by a physician or licensed health care provider and the appropriate forms turned in to the campus nurse. The student must demonstrate to the physician and to the campus nurse the skill level necessary to self-administer the medication.
Chapel Hill ISD has developed a school board policy that has the components of the legal requirements included within it. Please contact your campus nurse before enrollment or at the start of the new school year, to obtain all the proper paper work needed, that will help ensure the safety of your student with an allergy.
