Allergy-Free Holiday Classroom Parties: Tips for Admins & Teachers 

As the holiday season approaches, schools are filled with excitement as teachers and students prepare for festive activities and holiday classroom parties.  However, for some students, this joyous time of year may be impacted with anxiety due to allergies.  Teachers and administrators play a critical role in ensuring the holiday celebrations are inclusive and safe for all.  Being proactive in preparations will create the desired environment for all students.  This blog will explore allergy risks; school policies and procedures for food allergies; offer insight into tools for teachers to employ in the classroom; and communication strategies with parents/ guardians.

Understanding Allergies

Before diving into specific strategies, it is essential educators have a solid understanding of common allergies and potential triggers to induce an allergic reaction.  Allergies may range from food-related issues to environmental factors.  According to an expert panel and the CDC “[e]ight foods or food groups account for most serious allergic reactions in the United States: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts.”

PublicSchoolWORKS includes essential trainings (in relation to assisting students with food allergies, food safety, Epinephrine use, etc.) in our expansive catalog of courses to help administrators equip teachers with essential knowledge.  Administrators may consider adding the food allergy and asthma course into their annual calendar of professional development training plans.

Policies and Procedures for Food Allergies in Schools

To keep your students with food allergies and staff safe consider the following:

1. Allergy Policy Review:

Regularly review and update district-wide allergy policies to ensure they reflect the latest medical recommendations to accommodate the needs of students with allergies.  If your district is unsure where to begin, consider using this sample checklist resource from the National Association of School Nurses.

2. Allergen-Free Zones:

Designate specific areas within the school as an allergen-free zone to minimize the risk of exposure to students.

3. Emergency Response Plans:

Develop and communicate clear emergency response plan (or a Food Allergy Action Plan, which may simply be called an Action Plan) for allergic reactions, including the availability of epinephrine auto-injectors.

Allergen prevention policies should align with federal and state laws; include nursing best practice standards; and consider including PSW’s course “Epinephrine Use” with your annual training plan.

Equipping Teachers for Allergy Awareness

When planning holiday activities, teachers consider a diverse range of needs for each of their students.  Educators can support this planning by supporting and promoting allergy education and awareness withing the school community to create a culture of understanding and inclusivity.

• Provide Allergy Awareness Training
• Collaborate with the School Nurse: When appropriate, include the school nurse who can “provide referrals to parents as needed and is in the perfect position to assess the student’s abilities to both self-carry and self-manage their allergy and any reaction that may occur.”
• Emergency Response Drills: Focus on how to best respond to students with allergic reactions.  Drills may include epinephrine auto-injector location review; reviewing the district-wide allergy policy; reviewing what to do in an emergency with students, etc.
• Display Allergy Awareness Posters

A Teacher’s Guide to Daily Safety Practices

In the classroom, teachers can adopt practices that minimize the risk of allergen exposure.  Teachers may work with administrators to establish classroom guidelines that are consistent with the district policies.

Teachers can support students with food allergies in schools by taking small steps.

• Avoid cross contact between safe foods and those with potential allergens by cleaning surfaces; using separate utensils to distribute snacks; or refrain from sharing food.
• Review handwashing policies with students.  Hand washing not only kills germs, but also helps remove food allergens from hands.
• Provide clear guidelines for classroom volunteers on what may be brought into the classroom.
• A student’s 504 Plan or IEP is an additional tool teachers should have access to.  These documents should contain a student’s updated allergy and dietary restrictions.  Check with school administrators and/or a student’s parent/guardian to confirm all information is up to date prior to any food entering a classroom event.

Safe Holiday Classroom Parties

The CDC recommends using “non-food incentives for prizes, gifts and awards.” Instead, teachers could incorporate holiday related games or crafts for students to complete.

Gina M. Lee, M.Ed., collaborated with the KIDS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES organization to offer teachers some low cost items that are non-food related. She recommends class coupons offering special privileges like selecting music during a lesson break; offering extra time for an activity a student enjoys; or allow students to use a tablet or technology device to create a collage or play a game.  Other low-cost rewards may include gift certificates from local businesses; stress balls; crayons; bubbles; pencils; or paper certificates to recognize student achievements.

Free printables can help teachers plan allergy-fee activities; check out the options at We Are Teachers for holiday activities.  For older students, consider a white elephant gift exchange with items they already have or set a limit on how much students may spend when purchasing a present.

Equip Your Staff to Avoid Allergy Risks

Understanding and addressing allergy risks in classrooms allows more effective implementation of district-level policies; supports for teachers; and maintenance of communication creating a safe, inclusive environment for all students.  Collaboration fosters an environment of safety and security for students to excel during their academic journey.

Enhance your school’s ability to support students with food allergies and consider adding PublicSchoolWORKS extensive catalog of training to your staff’s knowledge base.