Adopted: September 1998
Revised: November 2020
Download 506.2.3AR - Severe Student Allergies
1. Life-threatening Allergies
District 196 recognizes that a severe allergy can result in a life-threatening emergency. In order to protect the health and safety of students in ways that are developmentally appropriate, District 196 will maintain medically accurate and evidence-based, system-wide procedures for preventing and responding to allergic reactions for any student whose parent or guardian and physician have notified the school in writing that the student has a potentially life-threatening allergy.
1.1 When a school nurse receives information about a student with a potentially life-threatening allergy, the nurse will contact the parent or guardian and request any related documentation.
1.2 Upon receipt of the documentation, the school nurse will discuss with the parent or guardian whether the student’s potentially life-threatening allergy may require reasonable accommodations during the school day or during school-sponsored activities.
1.3 Upon receipt of the forms noted in section 1.1 above, the school nurse will work with the parent or guardian and physician to develop an Individual Health Plan (IHP)/Emergency Care Plan (ECP), if needed, and inform the appropriate school staff about the student’s allergy and any reasonable accommodations.
1.4 Epinephrine will be in close proximity to the allergic student as determined through discussions between the school nurse and the parent or guardian.
1.5 Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate students with potentially life-threatening allergies on field trips.
1.6 The school nurse will annually, and as needed, provide training and education to school staff regarding life-threatening allergies, risk reduction procedures and emergency procedures including demonstrating how to administer prescribed Epinephrine.
1.7 Documentation of student’s allergy and Individual Health Plans (IHPs) will be kept in the school nurse’s office and be accessible to substitute school nurses/administrators in the event the regular school nurse is not in the building. Substitute teachers will also have access to health and allergy information.
2. Non-life-threatening Allergies
2.1 If a student is allergic to a specific food, animal, insect or substance, appropriate school staff will make reasonable efforts to ensure that type of allergen is not brought into or kept in the classroom or other school spaces where the student will be present.
3. Section 504
Students with allergies may be students with disabilities who are protected under Section 504 and entitled to a free appropriate public education that includes general education, special education, and/or related aids and services.