Welcome to our Educators Resource Page. This page contains resources, information and links for schools and childcare settings. Educators, allergists, and training professionals have all worked in the development of these resources to make them as informative and user-friendly as possible.
We thank you for taking the time to learn and make use of our resources, and we hope that you will involve all students in making school a safe and inclusive place for students with food allergies. It takes a village – or a school community – to make it happen.
Free Classroom Posters
Download Food Allergy Canada’s free classroom posters.
Online Learning: Allergy Aware
Our free online courses for schools and child care settings are interactive and mobile-friendly resources which provide a personalized certificate for successfully completing each course:
- Anaphylaxis in Schools: What Educators Need to Know
- Anaphylaxis in Child Care Settings: What Staff/Caregivers Need to Know
Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings, 3rd Edition Revised
Food Allergy Canada collaborated with the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI) and several other partners on this resource for the community. It is available in both official languages. Get your copy here.
Did You Know?
A student’s auto-injector should be carried by the student at all times. It should not be kept in an office or locker. If a child is too young to carry his or her own auto-injector, the teacher/staff are responsible for keeping the auto-injector close at hand.
Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan
An Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan is a written plan that is customized to each student with allergies. It lists the individual’s allergies, gives instructions on how to treat symptoms and provides directions on what to do in the event of an allergic reaction. In some provinces and territories, the plan is mandatory.
Download a sample Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan.
Reading Labels: Classroom and Kitchen Safety
In all school and childcare settings, it is very important to understand how to read labels for allergens, and how to keep the classroom and kitchen safe by preventing cross-contamination. Many reactions are prevented by proper kitchen and food serving protocols. Find out more about reading labels, kitchen safety and avoiding cross-contamination.
Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
One of the most important things you can do as an educator is to be aware of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and respond quickly. Despite best efforts, reactions can and do happen. Learn about the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.
5 Emergency Steps
Your school can develop an Allergy-Aware policy that works to ensure student safety. Here are some tips and resources:
- Create an Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan for each student with allergies.
- Implement hand-washing protocols: students wash hands after every meal to help prevent cross-contamination.
- Have teachers – or other adults (lunch monitors) supervise younger children during snacks and other meals, not students.
- Have the students follow a “no food sharing” policy.
- Develop a plan for field trips and school buses.
Events and Field Trips
It is helpful to provide recommendations for teachers and staff on how to make birthday parties and other school events safe for students with allergies. When students are in new situations, they can be at greater risk for a reaction because their normal routine is changed. School trips and special events are not part of the daily routine and may present new risks. Read more on our Field Trips page.
School Buses and other Transit
To help keep buses safer, school administrators can speak with the transit company to find out if their drivers and staff have received emergency training in anaphylaxis management. You can respond to any knowledge gaps by arranging training. Many schools also have a “no eating” policy on school buses to help minimize risk. To learn more about bus safety, please visit our Field Trips page.
Elementary and High School Curriculum
The Allergy Awareness Challenge programs provide free lesson plans, activities and worksheets to educate students about food allergies. Learn more about the Elementary School Program and the High School Program.