The Anglophone South School District has been named the 2021 recipient of the Allan Reynolds Award by Food Allergy Canada.
“The Allan Reynolds award recognizes individuals and organizations for their contribution and leadership in helping individuals and families affected by anaphylaxis,” says Zoë Watson, Superintendent of the Anglophone South School District.
Watson said the Anglophone South School District has a close partnership with the Sweet Caroline Foundation, which works to educate schools and organizations on anaphylaxis and the impact of food allergies. The foundation was created in honor of student Caroline Lorette who passed away from anaphylaxis in 2014.
In 2018 Rothesay High School launched the video “Caroline’s Story,” about Caroline’s journey with food allergies.
“Prior to the release of the video we had the idea of having volunteers go into schools and train middle and high school students on how to actually use an epipen,” she said. “We felt that we were providing students with a life-saving skill if they knew how to administer an epipen.”
Over the last seven years, Anglophone South has increased allergy awareness in their schools, community and with their staff and students.
“The plan was developed that we would have boxes of the epipen trainers, and those could be loaned out to schools – we give every student instructions on how to use an epipen and they would actually get to hold one and use the tester to see just how much pressure you have to apply,” said Watson.
An estimated 50,000 Anglophone South School District students have participated in presentations held by The Sweet Caroline Foundation, held by over 500 community volunteers.
Watson explained they are currently focusing on teaching Grades Six and Nine students, who are shown “Caroline’s Story” and a factual PowerPoint Presentation about epinephrine and anaphylaxis. Students are also taught how to handle and use epipens in case one needs to be administered through boxes loaned out to district schools.
“We also have a number of schools with the Be Ready kits, the kits that would be on the wall of a school that would have epipens inside, very similar to the AED boxes that you see in public places,” she said. “We would have about half or more of our schools would have those as well.”
Anglophone South’s award ceremony coincides with a district-wide “Purple Day,” where students and staff wear purple in memory of Caroline Lorette and to promote allergy awareness for Food Allergy Awareness Month.
People who are interested in learning about the Food Allergy Community Awards can check out their website.
