Tasmanian Department of Education Policy Document



-733115-18042800 Scottsdale Primary School Allergy Aware PolicyAllergy Aware Policy 2017PurposeScottsdale Primary School is an allergy aware school. We have a growing number of students at Scottsdale Primary School who are severely allergic. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all staff, students and families in our school community. We have adopted an allergy awareness policy to protect those students and staff at risk of an allergic reaction and educate staff and students and the community of the dangers of allergies and their associated risks. Allergies can be serious and a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is potentially life threatening although deaths are rare.What is AnaphylaxisAnaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction. It occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen (such as food or an insect bite). An anaphylactic reaction always requires an emergency response. Prompt treatment with injected adrenaline is required to halt progression and can be lifesaving. Fortunately, anaphylactic reactions are usually preventable by implementing strategies for avoiding mon allergens areFood (e.g. nuts, fish, eggs, milk)Insect bites (e.g. bees, wasps, jack jumpers)Medications (e.g. antibiotics, aspirin)Latex (e.g. rubber gloves, balloons, swimming caps)The severity of the anaphylactic reaction is influenced by a number of factors, such as exercise, hot weather and in the case of food allergies, an anaphylactic reaction is usually triggered by ingestion of the food.Sign of an anaphylactic reactionFlushing and/or swelling of the face.Itching and/or swelling of lips, tongue or mouth.Itching and/or a sense of tightness in the throat, hoarseness, difficulty breathing and/or swallowing.Hives, itchy rash and/or swelling about the face, body or extremities.Nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting.Shortness of breath, repetitive coughing and/or wheezing.Faint, light headedness, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, collapse.Distress, anxiety and/or a sense of dread.School ResponsibilitiesPromote the policy and make all of the school community aware of its existence.Regularly remind parents that the school has an Allergy Aware Policy.Make parents aware of children in their child’s class who has allergies and ask them to refrain from sending certain foods or ask them to inform the teacher if they do send certain foods so children can be separated.Ensure the canteen adheres to the policyEnsure the parents provide the school with an Anaphylaxis Action Plan that has been completed by a doctor.A copy of the action plan (with Photo) is displayed in the staffroom, in the student file, office/sick room, classroom, relief folder.Ensure the medications are clearly marked with the student’s name and kept alongside their plan in the staffroom.Review policy with the School Association.Decrease the number of plants in the school grounds that attract bees.Ensure staff attend a training course, covering allergy awareness, anaphylaxis and use of an EpiPen every two years.Staff ResponsibilitiesTeachers will discuss the policy with their class and supervise eating.Will be made aware of student/staff who have anaphylactic responses.Will notify student families of known triggered in the class in their class newsletter at the beginning of each school year.Be familiar with food handling procedures including reminding students to wash hands.Will manage students who have food containing allergens by arranging seating.Educate students’ NOT too share food.Be informed of the storage of student Action Plan and rm the school if they have a known allergy and provide the school with the necessary medical responseParent ResponsibilitiesNotify the school that their child is at risk of an anaphylactic reaction.Provide the school with and Anaphylactic Plan completed by a doctor as well as the relevant medication.Meet with the class teacher to go over the plan.Student ResponsibilitiesAll students need to be aware that they cannot share food.Encourage to wash hands before and after eating.Educating peers about anaphylaxis to gain support for preventing exposure to allergens.The school acknowledges that due to current food processing practices, it is impractical to eliminate allergens and triggers entirely from an environment where there is food. The emphasis is therefore on raising awareness and adopting the reasonable procedures termed as ‘Allergy Awareness”.center221615Ratified by School Association:Review Date:00Ratified by School Association:Review Date: ................
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