Parents and school staff must work together to provide safe situations for students with allergies and asthma. Follow these simple steps to ensure your child is protected at school:

• Consult with your child's allergist/immunologist to ensure medications are working optimally. Visit the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory at www.aaaai.org to find an allergist immunologist in your area.
• Get a signed note from your child's allergist/immunologist for all medications to be kept at school. Have the note include instructions on how and when to administer the medication, including dosage information.
• Encourage your child's physician to serve as an informational resource for the school.

Dangers from food are not limited to the cafeteria - it is frequently used as rewards, incorporated in art projects, and provided at after-school activities. Be sure every adult who interacts with your child is aware of his allergies.

• Complete a "Food Allergy Action Plan" found at www.aaaai.org.
• Inform the school cafeteria workers, teachers and other staff of your child's allergies.
• Provide a list of foods to avoid and offer safe alternatives.
• Provide a picture of your child for the cafeteria cooks and cashier.
• Pack bag lunches if cafeteria options are limited.
• Work with the school to establish a peanut-free lunch table, if necessary.
• Ask your child's teacher to offer safe snacks to your child during class parties and other activities involving food.
• Advocate "no eating" policies on buses and other settings where students aren't supervised.
• Keep medication, such as antihistamine or auto-injectable epinephrine, in your child's classroom or backpack. Check with school administrators on their medication policies.

Whether it is dust mites, animal dander, mold, pollen or insect stings, students can face a battery of allergy triggers in the classroom or school grounds.

• If your child sufferers from animal allergies, find out if his teacher has any classroom pets that could trigger a reaction. Request that rabbits, mice, hamsters and other animals be removed from the classroom.
• Request that leaks be repaired quickly and that your child's classroom be disinfected regularly to avoid mold growth.
• Make sure carpet is vacuumed and desks are wiped down regularly to minimize dust.
• Ask your child's teacher to keep windows closed during spring and fall to prevent pollen from blowing into the classroom.
• If allowed, keep medications such as antihistamines, eye drops and nasal sprays at the school, along with instructions on how and when to administer.
• Students with severe allergies - such as insect sting allergies - should have auto-injectable epinephrine available in their backpack or classroom, as mandated by the school.

Activity during gym class, recess and after school sports can provoke asthma attacks. Make sure your child's asthma is well-managed before the start of the school year.

• Inform teachers, coaches and recess monitors about your child's asthma, triggers and symptoms of an attack.
• Make sure a School Asthma Management Plan (Part 1 and Part 2) is on file for your child. Download a copy at www.aaaai.org.
• If your child suffers from exercise-induced asthma, insist they warm-up before exercise and be allowed water to stay hydrated.
• Ask the school to limit your child's outdoor exercise during times of high pollen or pollution levels, as this can trigger an asthma attack.
• Make sure your child or school staff has access to medications and devices needed in an asthma emergency, such as an albuterol inhaler, nebulizer and peak flow meter. Be sure to comply with your school's medication policies.