Sending Your Child to School with Diabetes

Sending your child to school with Diabetes

We understand that whether your child is newly diagnosed or has been managing Diabetes for a while, there is always a lot to take into consideration when preparing them for school. When and where will they test? Where will they keep their supplies? The list goes on. Below are suggestions that the GFPS School Nurses have for you and your child.

Set up an initial meeting: Ask to meet with your child’s school nurse, teacher, and principal. You will need to discuss your child’s daily needs and work together to develop an Individualized Health Care Plan, Emergency Care Plan, and/or 504 plan as needed. Note: Section 504 Determination meetings can occur at time of diagnosis, when starting a new school and as needed. Updates to Section 504 Plans can be held at the end of the school year in preparation for the upcoming new school year, prior to school starting, and as needed

What to bring to your meeting:

• Contact your child’s medical provider and have them complete a Diabetic Medical Management Plan. This will help the school nurse to better understand your child’s needs. If you are unable to obtain this prior to the meeting the school nurse can work with you to complete your child’s orders.
• Get your child’s supplies ready! You may want to bring the supplies with you to the meeting to review with your child’s team. Supplies may include:emergency glucose supplies (i.e. juice(s), and cake gel) and daily testing supplies (blood glucose meter, lancing device and extra lancets, test strips, ketone test strips). Appropriate snacks

A few suggestions on what to discuss at your meeting:

• Where will your child be testing?
• Will they need help with his testing and/or insulin administration?
• Who will be trained to provide emergency care for your child?
• What accommodations will your child need for days where there are special treats in the class or for field trips?
• What does your child’s PE teacher or coach need to know?
• What extracurricular activities will your child be participating in?

Contact the GFPS School Nursing office with any questions or concerns: 406-268-7700