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Disclaimer:
The Region of Peel School Health Reference Guide is a supplementary resource to relevant Peel and Dufferin-Peel school board policies. Always refer to school board policy first if you have questions or concerns.

Teacher & support staff responsibilities Parent & guardian responsibilities Anaphylactic student responsibilities

Principal Responsibilities

As a school Principal it is your responsibility to:

• Properly manage and post forms
• Keep your school community informed
• Provide staff training
• Reduce the risk of anaphylactic reactions
• Manage auto-injector storage, access and availability
• Consider student safety when planning class trips

1) Properly manage and post forms

1. Ensure that all “administration of medication” forms are complete
   Any student with anaphylactic allergies must have a fully completed administration of medication form.
   • The Peel Board form is called Special Education Program Services 8 Form A - Administration of Prescribed Medication.
   • The Dufferin-Peel Board form is called Authorization of Storage and Administration of Prescribed Medication.
   Both forms must include instructions provided by the student’s physician.
2. Ensure that all “allergy alert” forms are complete
   The parent/guardian of every student with an anaphylactic allergy must complete an allergy alert form.
   
   The allergy alert form should include:
   • The student’s name
   • A current photograph
   • The specific allergy or allergies
   • Warning signs and symptoms of a reaction
   • An emergency treatment plan
3. Get permission for allergy alert forms to be copied and posted
   Get parent/guardian permission for teachers and other school staff to post photocopies of allergy alert forms in visible locations in the school. These forms should be renewed on a yearly basis.
   • The Peel Board allergy alert form is in the Special Education Program Services 8 Form B - Allergy Alert Emergency Plan (EpiPen® only) Form B.
   • Dufferin-Peel Board principals should refer to the General Administrative Procedures.
   • Read a sample allergy alert form (PDF) from Safe4Kids.
4. Ensure that allergy alert forms are posted
   Principals must post allergy alert forms in areas that are highly visible to all staff (i.e., staff room, office, etc.). Posters featuring anaphylaxis signs and symptoms and/or the use of epinephrine auto-injectors must also be placed in visible places throughout the school.

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2) Keep your school community informed

1. Ensure appropriate, ongoing communication
   Peel and Dufferin-Peel School Board principals must work within school board policies to ensure appropriate, ongoing communication between students with anaphylaxis, teachers, support staff and parents of students requiring an epinephrine auto-injector.
2. Update student emergency contact information
   You must ensure that emergency contacts and telephone numbers are checked and updated regularly.
3. Notify parents and request their support
   Make sure that all parents are aware that students with anaphylactic allergies are attending the school.
   
   Ask for and encourage parent support by:
   
   • Facilitating open communication between all parents and the school to encourage a positive atmosphere.
   • Providing the school community (students included) with information on anaphylaxis and how to create supportive allergy-safe environments.

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3) Provide staff training

1. Ensure an annual review/training for all staff All staff must not only know the signs of anaphylaxis, but also receive hands-on training in using an epinephrine auto-injector.
   
2. Ensure that occasional staff is informed of the presence of children with anaphylactic allergies
   All occasional staff must not only know which students have anaphylactic allergies, but also be trained to handle an anaphylactic reaction.

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4) Reduce the risk of anaphylactic reactions

1. Implement board policy for reducing risk in schools
   Principals must ensure that all permanent and occasional staff know how to prevent anaphylactic reactions in the school setting.

5) Manage auto-injector storage, access and availability

1. Properly store epinephrine auto-injectors
   Follow the seven recommendations for storing and handling auto-injectors.
2. Follow board policy for storing and using epinephrine auto-injectors
   All policies and procedures about storage and administration of epinephrine auto-injector should follow the school board policy outlined in:
   • Procedures for Administration of Prescribed Medication to Pupils in Schools Form A (Peel Board)
   • Authorization for Storage and Administration of Prescribed Medication (Dufferin Peel Board)

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6) Consider student safety when planning class trips

If a student with severe allergies/anaphylaxis is participating in a field trip, you must know:

• If there is easy access to police, fire and ambulance services.
• Whether 9-1-1 services are available at the destination.
• If not, ensure that the number to access ambulance services is readily available.
• Epinephrine auto-injector:
  • The student must have more than one epinephrine auto-injector if the nearest hospital is more than 10-15 minutes away (a second dose may be required if the reaction continues or gets worse).
• The address of and directions to the destination to advise emergency personnel.