Special Meal Accommodations

MISD CNS Department will provide assistance to children with disabilities when diet modifications are necessary to prevent a severe, life-threatening situation or reaction. All other menu modifications request that do not result in a severe, life threatening situation or reaction will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

The school must notified when a student has been diagnosed with a severe food allergy, especially those allergies that could result in dangerous or possibly life-threatening reactions either by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with a particular food. To request special meal modifications for a child with a disability or severe, life-threatening situation or reaction, parents and their physician need to complete and return the MISD Medical Statement Form to the campus nurse detailing the student's disability or allergy, the food or foods to be omitted, and the food choices that can be substituted. 

The district has developed and annually reviews a food allergy management plan, which addresses employee training, dealing with common food allergens, and specific strategies for dealing with students diagnosed with severe food allergies. When the district receives information that a student has a severe food allergy that places the student at risk for anaphylaxis, a Severe Allergy Emergency Care Plan will be developed to assist the student in safely accessing the school environment.

Students identified as needing special meal modifications will have an alert posted on the student’s cafeteria account.  Below is a description of the type of alerts that can be posted to a student’s account and the direction given to cafeteria staff to assist children with their cafeteria menu selections.

 

SPECIAL DIET ALERT

Menu modifications and food substitutions will be followed according to the directions provided by the child’s physician or medical authority on the MISD Medical Statement Form for children identified that have a disability or severe-life threatening allergy.  A signed MISD Medical Authority Modified Meal form must be given to the campus nurse. The nurse will then give a copy to the Child Nutrition Services Department. The MISD Allergen Protocol provides links to Texas guidelines and more detailed information. 

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Parents need to specify what dairy products are to be limited or restricted for their child. Many of our menu items include cheese and milk in them as an ingredient. Ice cream a dairy product and is sold a la carte at all schools. Guidance is needed to identify if only fluid milk is being restricted or all menu items offered containing dairy products. Guidance is also needed regarding the restriction of ice cream products for their child.

DIABETIC ALERT

Applied to students that have a Diabetic Management Plan on file with the district. The school nurse will notify CNS dietitian and Cafeteria manager of students needing this alert. Monthly menus with calorie and carb counts will be issued by the Child Nutrition Department through online menus.