The conversation would surprise most school administrators and parents, who’ve grown accustomed to no-nuts policies at schools, daycares and other places where children gather. Calon didn’t want Trinity’s school to ban peanut butter or anything else containing nuts. She simply wanted the teachers to know who her daughter was, where her epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) was located and how to use it if Trinity was in trouble.What does your operation do about peanut bans and training drivers in treating students that suffer from peanut allergies, bee sting allergies or diabetes? (thanks for the link, Bruce)
We want this to be an open forum for the hundreds of thousands of people that help get students to school safely every day. We want to hear what you think, what's going on at your facility and what solutions you've found. But, please, keep it civil. Just like on the bus, we'll have no tolerance for attacks or anything defamatory. We won't write you up, but we'll delete the comments right away. So don't bother. But if you have something to share, this is your place.
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STN Editors
This is a good topic as some people in our industry do not see the allergy issue as a serious one. Old beliefs that this problem is blown out of proportion because it was not that way when we grew up. However, extra caution needs to occur, as this can be a life-threatening situation. Fairport CSD has provided training for all of our staff on EpiPens for our drivers, attendants, and mechanics. When we have a student that is identified as needing an EpiPen, we work with the schools to see of the student can self-administer the injection. If the student is too young or uncomfortable doing the shot if need be, we provide additional one-one training with the drivers that transport that student discussing protocol if the student has an allergic reaction. We have convened special meetings for Kindergarteners who have severe allergies and need to carry an EpiPen. In these instances, we have the student carry a small fanny-pack that is zip-stripped closed with a fire extinguisher breakaway so everyone knows if the medicine has been tampered with. We provide the family with a few zip-strips so they can monitor and change out the medication if needed.
ReplyDeleteAnother related area is food on the school bus. We constantly remind drivers not to give any food or candy out on the bus during their runs or for the holidays. Obviously choking is a good enough reason for not giving out candy, but allergic reactions are a bigger reason. Drivers have enough responsibility on their shoulders driving the bus to have to worry that a student may be having an allergic reaction due to a piece of candy they gave the students.
Keep the conversation going. :-)