Please read I need your input---Allergy Awearness

YOu need to break this down in to questions and smaller segments.
I am a UK poster , so I dont think my expereinces of school , child care problems would be of any help to you.
Most childrens day care are run by large private groups, and each have their own allergy policies.
As for state schools, there are only rough guidelines , that the parents/teachers/ and community school nurse agree on.
There are many gaps in the quality of this aspect of allergy management within school life.
Try to organise a qustionaire to gain the precise info you need for each area you cover. Then more of us will respond.
hope this helps,
sarah

Quote:Originally posted by kkeene:
[b]Hi I will soon be starting my finally term of college (early childhood)& I have choose to do my senior project on Allergies & Childcare Settings
This will basically be a manual to help address some of the issues, fears, safety guidelines, accommodations etc...in regards to an allergic child in care.
So please take a moment to read this post & reply, I need the input from other parents.
non-allergic parents
-What type of info would you like to have if your child is in care with an allergic child?
-What would make life easier? (Meeting, handouts reminders, guidelines etc...)
Child caregivers (babysitters, teachers, daycare centers etc...)
-What info would you like to see provided?
(-By Dr, Parent, Director of program (ex. school board, FIA/Lic. etc...))
-What policys have you used, seen used etc... in your program to ensure it is a safe environment? Detailed please.
Other Allergic Parents
-What rules apply for your child in care?
-What program policies have you seen used, to ensure safety?
-What would you like to see improved?
Please throw as many questions & concerns at me as you can!
Please post here or email me direct at
[email]stankeene@earthlink.net[/email] (subject:Peanut Reseach)
I want my assignment to be as complete as possible & I can't do that with out your input.
Thank you so much.
Kathy
[This message has been edited by kkeene (edited November 19, 2004).][/b]
This is a rough draft....DH and myself also have a doument that WE(the school too)have agreed upon To reduce the risk.
I appreciate the school and districts effort in keeping our kid{s} safe.
FOOD ALLERGY SCHOOL EMERGENCY PLAN
If signs of a severe allergic reaction such as hives, itching, swelling, difficulty in breathing are seen, do this:
1.Consult Emergency Care Plan.
2.Administer Epipen if ordered.
3.Call 911.
If possible, call the front office and ask staff to call 911 on 'red
phone.' If not possible, call from the nearest phone.
4.Notify school nurse who will call the parent at _______________
or __________________.
TRAINING
Principal's designees, including all teachers, staff, cafeteria staff, volunteers, substitute teachers, anyone who has contact with the student with the allergy must be trained in signs and symptoms of severe allergic reaction and appropriate emergency response.
Training of school staff will be provided by a licensed registered nurse. The parent will be invited to attend the training session.
Training will include the following, but is not limited to:
1.Child-specific signs and symptoms of allergic reaction
1.Emergency response as ordered by physician
2.Proper hand washing at appropriate times
3.Cleaning of tables/work areas with disposable wipes
4.Seating of student in classrooms and cafeteria
TRAINING OF STUDENTS IN CLASSROOM BY SCHOOL NURSE/TEACHER
Included in this training will be:
1.Definition of allergy
2.Explanation of what causes allergic reaction
3.Description of symptoms that may be seen and necessity to notify teacher at once when symptoms are seen
4.Proper hand washing and when to wash hands
5.No sharing of own food with student with allergies
SPECIAL TRAINING FOR THIS STUDENT:____________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
CLASSROOM PREPARATION
1.Wash hands with soap and water - or Purell - upon arrival in the classroom, after eating snack and lunch.
2.Classroom teacher will highlight written instruction for substitute teacher.
3.Substitute teacher will be trained upon arrival at school.
4.Parent will be notified when a substitute is in the classroom and will be invited to the training session.
5.Classroom teacher (or designated staff member) of student with history of
severe allergic reaction will carry Epipen on person, preferably in a belly pack. The belly pack will be passed on to a trained designee when student leaves classroom. A trained designee with Epipen must always be in the presence of student with history of severe allergic reactions.
6.Student should sit at same computer in computer lab. Wipe keyboard and mouse before student's use whenever possible..
7.Wipe tables/work areas with disposable wipes.
8.Family will send in snacks/treats for substitution of food brought in from home by others for special occasions. Offer only foods that have been approved by family.
9.Inform family of all cooking projects.
10.Inform family of all materials used in art class in order to determine if student may participate.
SPECIAL PREPARATION FOR THIS STUDENT;______________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
IN THE CAFETERIA
1.School administration will designate staff member to wipe off the table before the student with allergy is seated. The cafeteria sponge may not be used!
2.The student will be seated in a low traffic area, away from lunch line and
garbage cans.
3.The student should be seated with responsible students; trained adult will check food for possible allergens. Any student with questionable foods may not sit near student with allergies.
4.The student with allergies may not be a table washer but may dispose of own garbage.
5.The teacher will supervise hand washing ASAP after lunch.
6.The student may not eat any food in the cafeteria without approval by parent.
SPECIAL PREPARATION FOR THIS STUDENT:______________________
______________________________________________________________
OUTDOORS OR OFF-CAMPUS ACTIVITY
1.Staff member will carry a phone or walkie in case of need to call 911, the school nurse and/or to implement Emergency Care Plan
2.The designated staff member with student will have an Epipen, preferably in belly pack.
RESOURCES
Video for students - Alexander the Elephant
Food and Allergy Network - 1.800.929.4040, [url="http://www.foodallergy.org"]www.foodallergy.org[/url]
Emergency Care Plan
In addition to above post....
Additiona1 Accommodations:
1. Under NO circumstances will **** be given ANY food,drink or snacks that have not been provided by her parents.
2. **** is not allowed to share her food(lunch or snacks)with other children,or share other children's food(lunch or snacks).
3. No lessons,games,arts and crafts or activities will include peanuts,tree nuts or peanut/tree nut products.
4. **** will not be allowed to drink from the water fountains. Parents will supply bottled water for her to drink.
Parents are to be given 2 weeks notice of special occasions where outside foods may be brought in (birthdays,holidays,etc.)
All students will be instructed to wash hands upon arrival to school.Mrs**** will volunteer with this effort when available.
7. Mrs. **** kindergarten class will eat their lunch in the cafeteria on Professional Development Days.
8. **** will not be instructed to or allowed to pick up grabage or trash inside of or outside of the classroom.
9. Parents will be notified in advance of,and invited to or allowed to accompany **** on any field trips or activities out side of the classroom.If parents are unable to attend or accompany her on these activities.the parents reserve the right to keep her home without being penalized.
10. The entire class will have a age appropriate lessons about food allergies.
(Alexander Elephant,for example)
11. Show and tell will not be done in Mrs.**** class.
12. When ill,**** will be accompanied to the clinic by an adult,and parents are to be notified immediately.
13. Threats,harassment,or teasing regarding food allergies will be immediately reported to BOTH the principal AND **** parents.
14. If at any time something is not working for **** safety, ro if something has been left out of the Individual Education Plan or Individual Health Care Plan,modifications can be made at any time.
15. **** class will always sit closest to the Northwest door with **** at the end of the table.
On the first document..It is still going thur nurses and lawyers and school comm.
However our school is usesing it and the second doc that dh and my self wrote up.
We have had a few problems that where addressed and taken care of.
Our school has a refresher course once a month for training on the Epi-pen.
Good luck with your project,and let us know how it goes!
I hope this helps
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Love this site
Synthia

Sorry I forgot to add I would like to see [b]
No isolation or exclusion of any kind in re:to the peanut allergic child or any allergic child![/b]
No use of [b]food in the classroom for education or arts and craftes,or after school projets.[/b]
More compassion and understand!
More awarness on teasing,and for it to be STOPED immediately,as this will help the children to understand conpassion.This will help the allergic children to enjoy school re to not liking school!
I will try to post more later.
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Love this site
Synthia