Food Allergies

Food allergies are becoming more common in the school setting. There are many students in the district who have severe food allergies to peanuts and nuts. Exposure to these food items can result in life threatening, anaphylactic reactions. Some student's allergies are so severe that even touching an object that was touched by another student who ate these products could trigger a reaction.

There are several things we can do at home to help to keep our schools safe for all students:

• If your child eats anything with peanuts/nuts before coming to school, please have them brush their teeth and wash their hands before leaving the house.
• All students and staff should wash their hands before and after eating to prevent contamination to community items such as desks and computers.
• When sending snacks for your child, please send items that are peanut/nut free.
• Please keep food allergies in mind when bringing in classroom snacks or treats for special occasions. The school has a list of safe foods in the clinics. Even if a food is currently on the safe list, you should ALWAYS read the labels before giving food to a student with a known allergy. Sometimes the procedure for manufacturing foods can change. Therefore, items once deemed peanut/nut free could end up containing particles of peanuts/nuts. ALWAYS READ THE LABELS!
• Click here for an extensive, up-to-date list of safe foods.  

Things that the District is doing to keep our students safe:

• Elementary classrooms that have students with known peanut/nut allergies have a sign posted on the door stating that peanut/nut containing food items are NOT allowed to enter these classrooms. Only manufactured food items with labels are allowed to be brought into these classrooms.
• Elementary school teachers notify parents of students with food allergies of any event where food items will be brought into the classroom several days prior to the event.
• Annual inservices regarding food allergies, signs and symptoms of allergic reactions and the proper use of Epi-pens are provided to all school staff by school nurses at the beginning of each year.
• There is a designated peanut-free table in the lunchrooms. This table has a separate bucket, cleaning solution and washcloths/sponges to decrease the chance of cross contamination with the other lunchroom tables.
• When leaving the lunchroom, all students are instructed/encouraged to wash their hands before returning to class.
• Students with severe allergies will have health plans - or in some cases may be identified as eligible for Section 504 Plans - that identify the risks and outline specific accommodations to be provided to the student.

Please contact your school nurse with questions or concerns.

Kelly Debeljak, RN

Hilltop Elementary School: 216-831-7144

Beachwood High School: 216-831-2080

Jen Zontini, RN

Bryden Elementary School: 216-831-3933