Committee comprised of parents and school representatives
forms to develop food allergy plan
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According
to the National Institute of Health:
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An average of two to
three Americans die each week due to allergic reactions
to food.
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Approximately, 30,000
cases of food-induced anaphylaxis occur in the United
States each year, leading to as many as 200 deaths.
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Approximately, six to
eight percent of children under age four have a food
allergy, and six to eight percent of people age five or
older have a food allergy.
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August 26, 2008 – Food allergies can cause a
myriad of symptoms, such as hives, difficulty breathing, heart failure
or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
As the number of students identified with food allergies grows, so too
does the need for a district-wide food allergy plan to ensure that all
students are protected and remain safe.
Currently, the Voorheesville Central School District does not have a
policy to address this growing health concern.
To begin the process of developing procedures and policies relevant to
food allergens in schools, the district’s administration and Board of
Education sought input from the community on a draft food allergy plan
they developed in June 2008. They received so much input that they
decided to form a Food Allergy Plan Committee to revise the plan.
“We wanted input from everyone,” said outgoing Superintendent Linda
Langevin. “This is an extremely sensitive issue, and we felt it was
extremely important to have representation from all sides.”
The committee initially met in August, and included more than 25
members, such as parents, school representatives and board members. It
also includes school physicians, representatives from the Capital Region
BOCES Health/Safety/Risk Management Service and legal counsel.
So far, the committee has met twice, and plans to meet again on August
27, as well as several times in October. Its goal is to present a
finalized food allergy plan to the Voorheesville Board of Education by
the end of October.
The committee has taken advantage of state, national and local district
documents, such as the New York State Department of Health, New York
State Department of Education and New York Statewide School Health
Services Center collaborative resource document. The report was released
this summer and has become an invaluable resource, providing guidelines
and procedures regarding anaphylaxis.
Just as obesity is a health risk to children, so too are food allergies.
The district’s wellness policy was adopted to support, protect and
promote students’ health, well-being and ability to learn by supporting
healthy eating and physical activity.
“It is our responsibility to provide students with a safe and healthy
school environment, and that includes offering a balanced approach to
food allergens,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Raymond Colucciello,
who is set to begin his new duties on September 1.
To that end, this may include barring vulnerable children from certain
areas, and providing them with an allergy-free area. These rooms would
be labeled to inform visitors that specific allergens are not allowed
(e.g. this is a peanut free room).
In addition to developing the plan, the committee plans to provide
educational materials and presentations to staff members throughout the
year, as well as provide parents and community members with relevant
information.
On September 5, BOCES Safety Specialist Kristen Bucciferro is scheduled
to speak to district staff during opening day about the risks associated
with food allergens in schools. She will also review the common
allergens, anaphylaxis guidelines, common reactions to allergens and
provide an overview of the components of an allergen plan.
As more detailed information becomes available it will be posted on the
district Web site, e-mailed through School News Notifier and mailed home
to parents and community members.
If you have specific concerns or questions you would like to have
addressed, please contact your school principal or nurse.
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