Taking Diabetes to School
Getting ready to send your child to school can be daunting. See our CheckList to help get ready.
The first and main job of parents in relation to school is to educate those who will be working with the child at school about diabetes. Parents want to feel that their child is in safe hands while at school (often the place where the majority of the child's waking hours are spent). Parents also want to make sure their child is not treated differently because of having diabetes. It is wise for the parent to phone the school nurse, teacher, or principal to discuss the best way to get all of the necessary people informed. This is usually best to do the week before classes start. It is essential that the family educate the teachers, school nurse, bus driver, gym teacher, lunchroom workers, and others involved with their child at school. Sometimes the school nurse or the teacher will help educate other staff people. It is also important that when a substitute teacher is at school, the substitute knows that a child in the classroom has diabetes, and that the time is taken to read this summary. It is important NOT to leave it up to the child to inform and educate the school. They may be self-conscious or embarrassed and not get the job done.
Schools in many states now require a School Health Plan. We have included two possible plans. Plan I is short and concise, and would be appropriate for all children and schools. The second, Plan II along with the Blood Sugar Record Sheet, is a little longer and has more background information, which might be more appropriate for some schools. The parents and school personnel can decide which is best for any particular situation.
School Diabetes Management CheckList for Parents
Discuss specific care of your child with the
teachers, school nurse, and other staff who will be involved.
Complete the individualized school health care
plan with the help of school staff and your diabetes care staff
(see School Health Plan I
and School Health Plan II).
Make sure your child understands the details of
who will help him/her with testing, shots, and treatment of high or low blood sugars at school.
Keep current phone numbers where you can be reached.
Collect equipment for school:
Food and drinks (parents need to check intermittently
to make sure supplies are not used up):