For Pike Parents

Food Allergies Policy

Purposes:

1. To minimize the risk of a food allergy incident from food introduced outside of The Pike School Food Service Department.
2. To collect and distribute information for students with diagnosed allergies, including documented life-threatening food allergies.
3. To implement annual life-threatening allergy and epi-pen training for all faculty/staff members who routinely work with students.

The Pike School views the potentially fatal allergic reactions to peanuts, nuts and related products as a distinct category of food allergy. The effectiveness of these policies requires cooperation between the School and families and vigilance within the community per the expectations that follow. 

For all families regardless of allergies:

Follow the School policy regarding food brought to School that does not originate in the Pike School Food Service Department.  Foods which contain peanut or nut products may not be brought to classrooms or to other events on campus. Consult the appropriate classroom teacher about any/all food allergies in the class prior to bringing food to the School. 

Health Center Responsibilities  (Jana Stone, RN, 978-475-1197):

1. Circulate a list of students with allergies on a need-to-know basis to division heads, coaches, faculty, advisors, and food service personnel.
2. Review information on food allergies, various treatments, the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, and instruction in use of epi-pen before school opens and periodically during the year with faculty.
3. Provide appropriate faculty a student Allergy Action Plan with information on food and/or other allergies specific to the classroom/students to be kept in the classroom for reference.
4. Maintain open and as needed communication between home and school.

Family Responsibilites:

1. Notify the Health Center (978-475-1197) about your child’s allergies.
2. Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medications as directed by a physician using The Pike School Allergy Action Plan form as a guide. Include a photo of the child on the written form.
3. Deliver/provide to the Health Center any approved medications for your child in original containers on the first day of school.
4. Make a family decision about whether your child should sit at the peanut-free table during lunch.
5. Consider purchasing a medical alert bracelet and encourage your child to wear it at all times if the allergy is especially dangerous.

 
School/Faculty Responsibilities:

1. Encourage hand washing before and after meals. 
2. Know the location of epi-pens in the Health Center, in athletics med kits, and in the classrooms of allergic students. 
3. Ensure that no foods are brought to the classroom without permission from the classroom teacher.
4. Maintain a no sharing/no trading policy.
5. The School subscribes to Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network which provides alerts about undeclared allergens in food products

Food Service Department

a.  Pre-made peanut butter sandwiches are available in the kitchen. Maintain a peanut-free table in the dining hall during meals.
b.  Prepare food with full knowledge of all ingredients: no use of nuts, peanuts or nut oils.  Review all manufactured products to ensure that there are no peanut or nut oils ingredients. 
c.  Follow an appropriate cleaning protocol for the Dining Hall tables including the peanut-free table.

6.    Flex Program after normal school hours:

a. Peanut butter will be available for late afternoon snack; a peanut free table is available in the Flex room for students who require it.