Allergy Policy
Dear Parents,
Please take a moment to review our food allergy policy. There are many students in our school with severe peanut/nut allergies. These allergies can be severe and life-threatening. We are asking for your assistance in providing our students with a safe learning environment. If exposed to peanuts or nuts, the students may develop a life threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical treatment. The greatest potential for exposure to peanut and nut products at school during lunch and snack times, bake sales, and classroom parties. Our children eat at their desks and many grades change rooms for certain subjects making a “nut-free table” for lunch impossible. Students could also be exposed to these allergens in the shared bathrooms, gym and music rooms. Therefore, to prevent the risk of exposure, Holy Family Academy does not allow nut products of any kind in the building. This includes peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, coconut, cashews, and macadamia nuts. We cannot guarantee that food items sent from home will be nut free since many products contain “traces of peanuts and/or manufactured using the same equipment with peanuts”. The children with allergies may want to provide their own “special snack” on classroom party days or bake sale days to ensure safety while joining the class for a treat. Please instruct your child not to share snacks/lunch with others and not to eat on the bus. We appreciate your support of these policies. Please complete and return this form so we are certain that every family is aware of our policy. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and/or concerns.
Thank you for helping us keep our students with life-threatening food allergies safe!
Health Topics
The seasonal flu can cause serious illness. For information about seasonal flu, contact the Centers for Disease Control at 800.232.2522, or visit the CDC website for the flu.
Common ailments like frostbite, strep throat, or tonsillitis require immediate attention. In the event that your child contracts one of these, please visit the previous links for more information, and consult a physician.
Chronic problems like allergies and asthma can require ongoing treatment. Be sure to consult a physician if you believe your child suffers from either. In the event that your child suffers from a chronic condition, or if s/he must take daily medication be sure to file the necessary paperwork with the school nurse.
Absence and Sick Leave Policy
If your child has been unable to sleep due to discomfort, presents with flu symptoms, cold symptoms, or fever, s/he should rest at home. If your child has a fever, rash, or pain of unknown origin, s/he should also rest at home. If symptoms continue, s/he should be evaluated by a physician. The school is required to dismiss any child who may expose others to infection.
How Long to Stay Home for Various Illnesses or Problems
The guidelines for how long your child must stay at home if s/he has a particular ailment are as follows: