Recognizing, understanding, and managing the risks of serious food allergies are safety responsibilities that we take seriously at Primary Day. We are committed to work with students, parents, and physicians to provide a safe educational environment and minimize risk of accidental exposure to allergens. However, we cannot guarantee that any student or adult will never experience an allergy-related reaction on this campus or at a school sponsored activity. In the end, the responsibility for food allergy risk reduction lies with the student and their parents/guardians.

Guidelines for the Management of Students with Food Allergies

Primary Day recognizes that food allergies, in some instances, may be severe and even life-threatening. A person can be allergic to any food at any given time. According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, there are eight foods that account for 90% of allergic reactions: peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, etc.), fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat. Most allergic reactions come from a first time, undocumented sensitivity or accidental ingestion. Although most allergies produce symptoms that are uncomfortable, persons with food allergies can suffer serious or life-threatening reactions.

Since most students develop their allergic reactions to peanut and tree nuts sometime between their second and fourth birthdays, we have a “Nut Aware” policy for the safety of ALL students. Primary Day is committed to working with students, parents, and health care professionals to implement safeguards that minimize the risks related to students’ food allergies and to respond appropriately in the event of students’ allergic reactions.

Family’s Responsibility

• Notify the school of the student’s allergies.
• Submit written medical documentation of the student’s food allergies.
• Supply the school with TWO current and properly labeled EpiPens (or other epinephrine medication such as Auvi-Q) and replace them after use or upon expiration.
• Submit emergency contact information and update it as needed.
• Educate the student, if age appropriate, on the following:
  • Safe and unsafe foods
  • Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
  • Symptoms of allergic reactions
  • How and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem
  • How to read food labels
• Debrief with the school nurse, teacher, the student’s physician, and the student after an allergic reaction has occurred.
• Send in all food and snacks for the student.
• Work with the school team (school nurse and teachers) to develop a plan that accommodates the student’s needs throughout the school day.
• Work with the after school program administrator to develop a plan that will accommodate the student’s needs during these times.

The Primary Day School’s Responsibility

• Review health records submitted by parent/guardian.
• Include food-allergic students in all school activities as appropriate.
• Inform faculty and staff who have routine contact with a food-allergic student of identified allergies.
• Assure that all staff interacting with food-allergic students assists the student and family in minimizing risk of an allergic reaction.
• Properly store students’ medication in an unlocked safe area, generally with the school nurse, during the school day and GRASP. Students’ medication will be stored in a locked cabinet overnight and when school is not in session.
• Educate faculty and staff on campus about food allergies, signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, and train them how to manage a reaction on campus (including how to administer epinephrine).
• Discuss food allergy management with families for on-campus and off-campus school sponsored activities.
• Educate students to refrain from sharing foods.
• Follow federal/state/district laws and regulations regarding sharing medical information about the student.

Students’ Responsibility (when age appropriate)

• Refrain from sharing food.
• Not ingest anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergens.
• Notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain a food they are allergic to, or if they notice any symptoms of an allergic reaction.
• Be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions.

Revised February 2026