Parents of students with severe food allergies are responsible for notifying the district of the nature of their student’s allergies and should complete the appropriate documentation, including the Request for Food Allergy Information and the Food Allergy or Medical Dietary Substitution Request.

The Food Allergy Action Plan will be completed by the parent and the student’s physician. All documentation should be returned to the student’s school. The parent should then schedule an appointment to review the documents with the school nurse or the campus principal. The required forms are available on the Troy ISD website.

Employees Specialized Training

For The Development, Implementation, and Monitoring of the District’s Food Allergy Management Plan.

1. Resources used to develop the plan include Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies At-Risk for Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) as well as other school health resources.

Awareness Training For Employees

Regarding signs and symptoms of food allergies and emergency response in the event of an anaphylactic reaction. 

1. All instructional and transportation staff will review the district’s Food Allergy Management Plan, including details about anaphylaxis signs/symptoms, emergency response actions, and general strategies to reduce exposure to allergens. This must be completed by full-time staff.
2. Child Nutrition staff will annually provide department trainings regarding recognition of allergic reactions, how to avoid cross-contamination, and how to handle anaphylaxis in the cafeteria.

Strategies To Reduce Student Food Allergen Exposure Include:

1. Review cafeteria menu items, identify potential allergens and make appropriate accommodations as outlined in dietary orders received from licensed healthcare providers for meals served to students with life-threatening food allergies
2. Limiting or reduce the use of potential food allergens in classroom projects/activities.
3. Training Child Nutrition staff to prevent cross-contamination during food preparation, to read product labels and identify hidden allergens
4. Implement appropriate handwashing procedures including washing hands before and after meals.
5. Ensure that appropriate staff are trained in reading product labels and identifying hidden allergens in foods
6. Encourage and Enforce no sharing of food wherever it may be available
7. monitoring and enforcing strict cleaning procedures, particularly if after-school activities involve any consumption of food allergen- containing foods in the areas used by afterschool activities 
8. Enforce no eating policies while on the school bus with appropriate medical considerations and exceptions made as needed.
9. Ensure that the Transportation department keeps a current list of students who have food allergies including whether they self-medicate for anaphylaxis
10. Notify all pertinent staff in advance of field trips to allow time for necessary food preparation

Methods for requesting specific food allergy information from a parent of a student with a diagnosed food allergy.  

Campuses shall ensure that:

1. a completed Emergency Health Form, which inquires whether a life-threatening food allergy is present, is received from every student
2. the school nurse follows up with parents of students listed as having a life-threatening food allergy and a ‘Food Allergy Action Plan’ (FAAP) is on file for those if the student’s Emergency Health Form states they have a life-threatening food allergy documentation, including the FAAP, is provided to the campus cafeteria manager so that appropriate dietary accommodations can be made. 

The School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) will review the District Food Allergy Management Plan annually and as needed.

Procedures regarding the care of students with diagnosed food allergies who are at risk for anaphylaxis shall include:

1. Development and implementation of a Food Allergy Action Plan, (FAAP), which is a document containing health and allergy information specific to an individual student. The FAAP is to be signed by the student’s physician
   1. Principals will ensure that specific food allergy information requests (the ‘Emergency Medical Form’ sent out in each student registration packet) have been completed by parents at the beginning of the school year.
   2. Health Services staff shall refer to Emergency Medical Form to identify students with food allergies. If a potential food allergy is identified, the parent/guardian will be contacted by the school nurse to discuss the extent of the life-threatening allergy and to request a Food Allergy Action Plan. After this information has been received, the FAAP will be developed.
2. Training, as necessary, for employees and others to implement each student’s care plan, including strategies to reduce the student’s risk of exposure to the diagnosed allergen.
   1. Principals and Student Health Services staff will ensure that all pertinent instructional staff are trained on how to administer medications and handle an anaphylactic emergency.
3. Review of Food Allergy Action Plans and procedures periodically and after an anaphylactic reaction at school or at a school-related activity.
   1. Reports detailing event occurrences (an incident report will be completed by the school nurse) after any student's anaphylactic reaction incident will be completed.
   2. Feedback to the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) regarding the district's Food Allergy Plan will be provided annually and as needed.

Information regarding this policy and the district’s Food Allergy Management Plan shall be made available at each campus and available on the Troy ISD website.

If a student must take medication during school hours, the student’s parent must provide the medication. All medication, whether prescription or nonprescription, must be kept in the nurse’s office and be administered by the nurse or another authorized district employee. A student may be authorized to possess their own medication because of asthma or a severe allergy as described below or as otherwise allowed by law.

The district will not purchase nonprescription medication to give to a student. In accordance with policy FFAC, authorized employees may administer:

• Prescription medication in the original, properly labeled container, provided by the parent along with a written request.

• Prescription medication from a properly labeled unit dosage container filled by a registered nurse or another qualified district employee from the original, properly labeled container provided by the parent along with a written request.

• Nonprescription medication in the original, properly labeled container, provided by the parent along with a written request. Note: Insect repellant is considered nonprescription medication.

• Herbal or dietary supplements provided by the parent only if required by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan for a student with disabilities.

In certain emergency situations, the district will maintain and administer to a student nonprescription medication, but only:

• In accordance with the guidelines developed with the district’s medical advisor; and
• When the parent has previously provided written consent to emergency treatment on the district’s form. 

A student with a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may be permitted to possess and use prescribed anaphylaxis medication at school or school-related events only if he or she has written authorization from his or her parent and a physician or other licensed health care provider. The student must also demonstrate to the school nurse the ability to use the prescribed medication, including any device required to administer the medication. If the student has been prescribed an anaphylaxis medication for use during the school day, the student and parents should discuss this with the school nurse or principal.

See campus handbook under Health—Physical Mental.

Troy ISD Student Health Services

At Troy ISD, we want every student to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn each day. Our school nurses provide a wide range of health services to care for students throughout the school day. This includes caring for sick or injured students, supporting students with chronic health conditions, conducting required screenings, administering medications, responding to emergencies, and working closely with families and staff to meet individual student health needs.

In accordance with Texas law (TEC §26.0083), we are providing families with a comprehensive list of the healthcare services that may be provided to students on all Troy ISD campuses by licensed healthcare professionals or other authorized personnel.

We are thankful for our partnership with Troy ISD families. Working together helps us keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn!

Routine & Preventative Health Services

Our nurses provide routine health services and screenings throughout the school year, including:

• Vision and hearing screenings and referrals, as required by the state
• Spinal curvature (scoliosis) screenings and referrals, as required by the state
• Height and weight assessments
• Vital sign assessments
• Head lice screening and follow-up
• Dental health assessments and referrals
• General wellness assessments and referrals
• Immunization compliance review, as required by the state
• Health promotion and disease prevention education

State-Mandated Screenings

State-mandated screenings will be completed unless an opt-out notice is received prior to the screening.

If you choose to opt out, you must:

• Take your child to a healthcare provider to complete the screening at your own cost and provide the results to the school; or
• Provide a signed religious exemption form; or
• Submit proof of an examination completed within the last year.

First Aid & Injury Care

Our school nurses can assess and provide as-needed care for students who experience injuries during the school day, including:

• Cuts and scrapes
• Bruises
• Sprains
• Minor injuries
• Other first-aid needs

Basic Clinic Products

Our health offices may provide basic, nonprescription products for minor first aid or symptoms. Products will be used according to the instructions provided on the product label.

Products may include:

Acute Illness & Discomfort

When a student is not feeling well, the nurse may assess symptoms and provide appropriate care and follow-up.

Services may include:

• Assessment and as-needed intervention/treatment for symptoms of illness, infection, or discomfort
• Isolation and parent/guardian notification when symptoms meet criteria for exclusion from school
• Monitoring of infectious diseases
• Reporting of certain infectious diseases to appropriate health authorities when necessary

Chronic Health Condition Support

We work with students, families, healthcare providers, and campus staff to help students safely manage ongoing health conditions at school.

This may include support for conditions such as:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Seizure disorders
• Severe allergies
• ADHD
• Other chronic health conditions that affect the student during the school day

Services may also include implementation and support of individual health and special education plans, including:

• Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)
• Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs)
• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• 504 Plans

 Medication Services

Our nurses help ensure medications are safely stored, documented, and administered according to district procedures and applicable requirements.

Medication services may include:

• Safe storage and administration of parent-provided prescription and over-the-counter medications with proper documentation
• Daily medication administration with physician/parent authorization
• As-needed medication administration with physician/parent authorization
• Emergency medication administration with physician/parent authorization
• Maintenance of medication administration logs
• Compliance with medication-related laws and district procedures
• Supervision of self-carry/self-administration of medications when allowed, such as asthma inhalers and EpiPens

Health Crisis & Emergency Response

Our nurses and authorized personnel are prepared to respond to health emergencies that may occur during the school day.

Emergency response services may include:

• CPR
• AED administration
• Administration of emergency Narcan
• Administration of emergency epinephrine
• Implementation of individual Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)

 Mental & Behavioral Health Support

While our nurses primarily provide physical health services, they may also support students when emotional or behavioral concerns are connected to physical health needs.

This may include:

• Observation and documentation of emotional health concerns as they relate to physical symptoms
• Crisis response in coordination with school counselors and district mental health staff
• Referral to school counselors or outside professionals when appropriate

Specialized Clinical Procedures

When medically necessary and with appropriate physician/parent authorization, specialized healthcare procedures may be provided to students.

These may include:

• Blood glucose monitoring
• G-tube feeding and care
• Catheterization
• Tracheostomy care or suctioning
• Oxygen therapy
• Wound care and dressing changes

 Collaboration, Communication & Health Education

Student health is a team effort! Our nurses work with families, students, staff, healthcare providers, and community resources to help meet student health needs.

This may include:

• Development of Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs)
• Participation in ARD, 504, RTI, and attendance committees as needed for student health
• Communication with physicians, specialists, and community providers, with parental consent
• Providing resources and referrals to community clinics and health agencies
• Health counseling and education related to:
  • Nutrition
  • Hygiene
  • Disease prevention
  • General wellness
• Sharing health information regarding a life-threatening health condition provided by a parent/guardian with appropriate staff members or individuals who have a direct role in the child's care during the school day, as needed for the health and safety of the child.

Parent Rights

We value our families and want you to feel informed and involved in your child's healthcare at school.

Parents/guardians have the right to:

• Decline or opt out of non-emergency healthcare services that are not required by law
• Receive notification of any changes in health services
• Request additional information or clarification about the nursing services your child may receive

Any additional health-related services that a campus believes may be necessary and appropriate will require separate written consent and parental involvement, unless the situation is an emergency or otherwise allowed by law.

Choosing to Opt Out?

If you choose to opt out of applicable non-emergency health services, please contact the District Nurse for further instruction.

If you have questions, need additional information, or would like to update your child's medical information or consents, please reach out to us. We are always happy to help!

Troy ISD Health Services

Krystal Pring, District Nurse
krystal.pring@troyisd.org
(254) 938-7848

Thank you for your continued support for Troy ISD!