Navigating Food Allergies During the School Year

Now that the school year is underway, families across Boulder County and surrounding areas are settling into new classrooms, teachers, and routines. For the 1 in 13 children in the U.S. living with food allergies, these first weeks are also a time to make sure safety plans are working smoothly and that students feel confident at school.

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Partner with Teachers and School Staff

Whether your child attends a Boulder Valley School District, St. Vrain Valley School District, or another nearby school, policies for managing food allergies can vary. Some allow students to carry epinephrine auto-injectors, while others require storing them in the nurse’s office.

“Communication is one of the most important tools parents have,” says Katie McCormack, MD, a pediatric allergy specialist at Boulder Medical Center in Louisville, Colo., who also cares for adults. “Checking in with teachers and school staff—even after the first few weeks—helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and that nothing slips through the cracks.”

Questions to revisit with your child’s school include:

• • Do teachers and lunchroom staff know how to recognize allergy symptoms?
  • Are emergency medications easy to find and clearly labeled?
  • How are classroom snacks, birthday celebrations, and field trips being managed?

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Keep the Emergency Action Plan Up to Date

Every student with food allergies should have an Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan on file at school. Parents in Boulder County and nearby communities can work with their child’s physician to complete this form and provide copies to the nurse, teachers, and front office.

“Parents often focus on getting paperwork done before school starts, but it’s just as important to ensure medications are current and easy for staff to access,” Dr. McCormack explains.

Recommended supplies include:

• • Epinephrine auto-injectors (two-pack) for severe reactions
  • Oral antihistamines (such as liquid cetirizine) for mild symptoms

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Building Student Confidence at School

Children thrive when they know how to manage their allergies in daily life. Encourage them to:

• • Politely decline food if they aren’t sure it’s safe
  • Tell a teacher right away if they feel unwell
  • Practice using their epinephrine device if they carry one

“Children gain a lot of confidence when they know exactly what to do in tricky situations—whether that’s saying no to an unsafe snack at a classroom party or telling an adult right away if they don’t feel well,” says Dr. McCormack.

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Guidance for Teens in Middle and High School

Older students may face more independence and social pressures. Therefore, they must carry epinephrine at all times.

“It’s smaller than your phone, and it can save your life,” Dr. McCormack says. “Carrying an epinephrine device is one of the simplest and most important ways young people can stay safe when managing food allergies.”

She adds, “As kids age, peer pressure and social situations play a bigger role. Talking with your teen about alcohol, for example, is important because it can lower the threshold for allergic reactions and delay seeking help. These are tough but critical conversations for families to have.”

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Moving Forward with Confidence

School is about more than academics. It is also about friendships, activities, and growth. With the right care plans and communication, families throughout Boulder, Louisville, Longmont, Lafayette, Erie, Superior, Broomfield, Westminster, and nearby communities can feel assured that food allergies do not hinder their child’s success.

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