Policy 596- Food Allergies & Special Dietary Needs
I. PURPOSE
Princeton Public School District 477 is dedicated to fostering the health, nutrition and well-being of students with food allergies by providing education and a supportive community. For anyone living with chronic health conditions requiring special dietary needs such as food allergies, the teaching and fostering of self-management skills is crucial to optimizing health and social normalcy. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to school district staff in these situations.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
Since schools cannot guarantee a food safe environment, upon request the school district will take measure to minimize the risk of an exposure, as well as educate select employees and volunteers to respond appropriately to life-threatening reactions.
Princeton Public School District 477 will provide a “food allergy aware” environment for a student with a known food allergy, without banning the food product at school. Structural supports and protocols, which establish best practices for child with food allergies, will be followed. This includes instruction and education to improve personal food allergy management skills in the confines of a “food allergy aware” school. In addition, the school will develop an accommodation plan as warranted.
If a student has special dietary needs, the food service department will make dietary substitutions in accordance with applicable provisions of the USDA regulations, when supported by a written statement from a licensed physician.
Adopted: October 24, 2007
Revised: November 13, 2012
Reviewed: August 7, 2018
Reviewed: January 7, 2020
Revised: November 15, 2022