Shortly after a teacher inadvertently gave almond biscotti to a student allergic to dairy and nuts, Deerfield Public Schools Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld convened the first of several meetings for parents of students with allergies.

The goal: Review current policies and identify ways to improve practices to keep students with allergies safe and to protect those students who might suddenly exhibit symptoms. “The biggest concern was the inconsistent procedures at our six schools for how to actually implement the existing policy,” Lubelfeld says.

The child suffered anaphylactic shock—which can cause a drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing and even death—but was quickly given Benadryl and epinephrine and then taken to the hospital where the student made a full recovery.