Food Allergies

In promoting a safe school environment for children with food allergies at-risk for anaphylaxis, students, parents, and school personnel should work as a team in identifying students at-risk for anaphylaxis, reducing the risk of exposure to food allergens and to react quickly should an exposure or allergic reaction occur. A food allergy is defined as a potentially serious immune-mediated response that develops after ingesting or coming into contact with specific foods or food additives. Symptoms of a food induced allergic reaction may range from mild to severe and may become life-threatening. Reactions vary with each person and each exposure to a food allergen and the severity of an allergic reaction is not predictable. Some students with food allergies have an anaphylactic response which is defined as a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. Anaphylaxis occurs within a few minutes to several hours after exposure to the allergen.

If your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, complete the following forms and please contact the school nurse ASAP.

Food AllergyActionPlan-CCS.pdf

Medication Administration Request.docx

In promoting a safe school environment for children with food allergies at-risk for anaphylaxis, students, parents, and school personnel should work as a team in identifying students at-risk for anaphylaxis, reducing the risk of exposure to food allergens and to react quickly should an exposure or allergic reaction occur.

The responsibilities of the family include:

• Notifying the school of the student’s allergies in accordance with TEC, Section 25.022. Use of the GCISD Parent Statement of Food Allergy Information is the preferred method of notification.

• Working with the School Nurse to develop and review the FAAP/EAP and IHP as well as discuss accommodations the student will need throughout the school day, during school-sponsored activities, and on the school bus.

• Providing completed and signed HISD medication authorization and Food Allergy Action Plan (signed by the physician) to the school nurse.

• Providing properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration.

• Working with your child in the self-management of their food allergy including:

  • Safe and unsafe foods,

  • Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods,

  • Symptoms of allergic reactions,

  • How and when to tell and adult they may be having an allergy-related problem,

  • How to read food labels (age appropriate),

  • If age appropriate, the importance of carrying and administering their personal asthma and anaphylaxis medications as prescribed.

• Meeting with the school staff for post-exposure conference.

• Providing emergency contact information and update when needed.

• The responsibilities of the student include:

  • No trading of food with others.

  • Not eating anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen.

  • Being proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions (as developmentally appropriate).

  • Immediately notifying an adult if they eat something they believe may contain a food to which they are allergic.

Parents of students with known life-threatening anaphylaxis should provide the school with all necessary medications for implementing the student- specific order on an annual basis. This guideline is not intended to replace student-specific orders or parent-provided individual medications. 

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/texas-school-health/allergies-anaphylaxis