Checklist for Teachers

This includes but is not is limited to Classroom and Specialty teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Counselors

  • Comply with federal and state laws
  • Follow school district food allergy policy and procedure
  • Participate in team planning meeting for food allergy students
    • Be aware of:

      • Emergency Care Plan (ECP)/Food Allergy Action Plan (FAAP)
      • Individual Health Plan (IHP)
      • 504 Individualized Education Plan (IEP) 
  • Best practice
    • Avoid food in your lesson plans/classroom supplies; for special projects evaluate for possible food allergens
    • Include food allergy education in classroom lesson plans or activities
    • Consider food allergies when planning for field trips (Field Trip Risk Assessment)
    • Notify substitute teachers and provide a copy of student’s ECP/FAAP in the substitute’s folder
    • Have students wash hands or use hand wipes before/after eating
    • Educate children not to share food
    • Don‘t use food as an incentive or reward
    • Eliminate/minimize the use of food in class parties or events
    • In the event meals/snacks are permitted in the classroom, designated staff will wash all tables/chairs before and after use for students with life-threatening food allergies, using separate cleaning supplies
    • Eliminate/Minimize the use of animals in the classroom. If animals are permitted, consider possible allergies to the animals, its food, and its habitat needs
    • Be sensitive to the social and emotional needs of the child with food allergies
    • Monitor peer interactions
    • Have the food allergy related books in the school library
  • Prevention

    Educate/Train (at least annually and as needed)

    • Learn the symptoms of an allergic reaction
    • What to do if an allergic reaction occurs
    • Review of high-risk areas
    • School district‘s emergency response protocol
    • How to use an epinephrine auto-injector
  • Review
    • What food(s) the student can or cannot eat
    • Students Emergency Care PIan (ECP)/Food Allergy Action PIan (FAAP)
    • School’s emergency protocol
    • Time scheduled for training and drills
    • Location of epinephrine auto-injector