Meal Preference/Accommodations

[fellownurse]

Hello school nurses!!??‍⚕️?‍⚕️

I am relatively new in this position as a school nurse, my previous background was in the hospital as in rehabilitation inpatient floor and case management and would like to hear other school nurses's experience when handling a meal accommodation request related to a student's allergies.

 

As far as to the extent of my knowledge, we do have a form and we send it to the nutrition department and sent off to the district's registered dietitian. I was wondering how is the information of the student's allergies relayed to the entire cafeteria staff if the student is expected to receive breakfast or lunch at school? Is it handled by the nutrition department or is it the responsibility of the school nurse to account for each cafeteria staff member and hold a in-service on the specific student?

I have not encountered this experience yet, so I am very grateful for anyone sharing their experience on this matter!

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

I think it depends on your state or board of ED’s rules but we have a form the Dr is required to fill out and sign. Then I send a copy to the nutrition dept and notify the head cook as I hand her a copy as well. I also notify any teachers that student has so they are aware due to class parties, field trips, etc.  

[Luv2Hike]

I think it would depend on your district policies.  In my district the cafeteria does NOT know about any allergies until the parent turns in a special form signed by a physician.  Parents are notified of this during registration every year if they select a student has allergies/life threatening food allergies - parents are directed to a link that provides all the necessary forms and instructions. Once a parent/physician completes the form - it is on file for the remainder of the students education through 12th grade while enrolled in the district. 

I will also remind parents as they hand in emergency meds/Epipens to me yearly, that the cafe does not know about the allergies unless they receive the form signed by the doctor. 

At the beginning of the school year, my cafe manager gives me a list of those that have turned in the form.  I then go and check my list of allergy kiddos and send a reminder to the parents about getting the form turned in so the cafe knows what not to serve to their kid. After that its on the parents to make sure the cafe has the information.