Cornell Village Public School—www.cvps.ca

Health Matters

Healthy Schools

Good food, daily physical activity and a healthy environment that supports learning and growth are vital to helping students reach their full potential.

The Ontario Ministry of Education is working in partnership with students, teachers, principals, parents and others to help Ontario's students do their best in school. Together, we are also making our schools healthier places for students to learn and grow.

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York Region Healthy Schools

The York Region Community and Health Services provides information-rich links to information on a variety of health-related subjects such as body image, growth and development, handwashing, head lice, injury prevention, nutrition, parenting, and sun safety.

Visit the Healthy Schools Web site to access the information.

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Medication at School

Staff members are not permitted to administer ANY medication to students unless the appropriate forms are completed by the parent/guardian (Request for Administration of Medicine or Self-Administration of Medicine). Administration of medication is supervised and recorded. A signed form from the parents must be obtained and kept on file according to Board procedures. If your child needs to take medication, please call our school secretary and request the necessary form.

Students are not permitted to carry medication with them unless the office is made aware of an ongoing emergency medical condition. Please ensure that short term medication comes to the office immediately so that appropriate forms are filled out.

Please Note: Student medication MUST be picked up by the end of June. We will dispose of unclaimed medication.

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Anaphylactic Reactions

It is the policy of the York Region District School Board (PDF 55 KB) that all students are entitled to safe and healthy environments, including an allergen safe environment, in our schools. This position constitutes a major challenge in locations where a student has a life-threatening allergy—Anaphylaxis.

Foods containing nut products are not to be sent to school in snacks or lunches. We have several students who are very allergic to nut products, especially peanuts.

Download our Safe/Unsafe Snack Foods (PDF 115 KB) handout.

It is essential that parents communicate a life-threatening allergy to the school as soon as they become aware of it. Please notify the office and your child’s teacher so that we can take the steps to create office records and inform staff of the established protocol.

Download the Anaphylactic Reactions Protocol form (PDF 127 KB) which must be updated annually. The form also lists the procedure regarding EpiPens at school.

Anaphylactic shock is an allergic reaction that may be fatal. It can occur when a susceptible individual eats or is exposed to foods to which he/she is allergic (e.g. peanuts, nuts, shellfish, milk, egg, or other foods); is stung by an insect (e.g. wasp, bee, hornet); or is given medication (e.g. penicillin, aspirin, etc.). Anaphylaxis affects multiple systems in the body. While it is impossible to create a risk-free environment, school staff and parents must take important steps to minimize potentially fatal allergic reactions.

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Food Allergies

CVPS is a peanut-free zone!

Foods containing nut products are not to be sent to school in snacks or lunches. We have several students who are very allergic to nut products, especially peanuts.

Download our Safe/Unsafe Snack Foods (PDF 115 KB) handout.

Read the YRDSB's Policy on Anaphylactic Reactions (PDF 55 KB).

Why should I be concerned about food allergies?

Food allergies are a growing health concern in schools across the country. Between two and eight percent of school-age chldren are considered to be at risk for anaphylaxis as a result of food allergies.

Food allergy reactions can be fatal.

A food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system that can affect any system of the body—respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and skin. Ingestion of the allergenic food portein triggers this overreaction and casues a variety of symptoms ranging from nausea to anaphylaxis-a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

The severity of an allergic reaction is unpredictable: a seemingly mild reaction can become life-threatening within minutes. Early recognition of symptoms and prompt administration of epinephrine are critical to survival.

Each year, food allergies are the cause of approximately 200 deaths and over 30,000 emergency room visits. Kids have died in schools from food-induced anaphylaxis.

There is no cure for food allergies.

Strict avoidance of the allergenic food is the only way to prevent anaphylaxis.

Ingestion of even trace amounts of the allergen can cause anaphylaxis.

An allergic reaction can be triggered by as little as someone using a utensil that touched the food allergen to prepare or cut food for a person with a food allergy.

Ingesting a food allergen is not the only means of causing anaphylaxis.

Kids can introduce a food allergen into their bodies not only via mouth, but also via eyes or nose by inadvertently touching these areas of the face with hands that have come into contact with the food allergen. A child need not eat a food allergen to experience an allergic reaction. Rubbing eyes or putting a finger in the nose after touching a surface contaminated with the allergenic food is enough to potentially trigger an allergic reaction.

How can I help?

  • Respect school rules regarding permissable foods.
  • Carefully read ingredient and manufacturing labels.
  • For food to be shared by the class, bring in only store-bought food with a list of ingredients that are safe for all members of the class to eat.
  • Wash your child's hands/mouth before school if s/he has eaten a known food allergen.
  • If necessary, talk to your child about the seriousness of food allergies and the harm caused by teasing.
  • Don’t hesitate to contact school personnel with any questions or concerns.

Source: Safe School Partners www.foodallergysmart.org

Additional Resources

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