Diabetic Kids in Private School situations?

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Permalink Reply by Rick Phillips on April 9, 2009 at 8:24pm

Usually I would suggest that the youngster be responsible for her own maintenance. However as a public school administrator I do not suggest this for a four year old. I have seen students as young as 5th graders manage pumps and insulin very well. but I have seldom send children less than 5th grade do it well.

Lets first address public schools. In a public school your child would be eligible for a case conference and likely a semi private attendant if a nurse were not available. However in a private school, this is nto a legal requirement, so youa re really stuck.

I have tow suggestions that i knwo private schools have used in my area. First you could easily contact the visiting nurse service and they could put your little one on a regular daily stop. obviously this costs money, but depending on the cost it may be well worthwhile, Second, and this is one I really advocate, call your local hospital and ask if they can contact or give you a list of retired nurses or nurses who work part time. Both are really accessible for daily school visits. In fact for the cost of a retired, or part time nurse your school may want to hire them for this kind of service. I know in public school that I have worked in, where a nurse is not available.

Finally, it is very possible that your school will allow a no medical person to come in and do this work. I am thinking of a parent who wants a simple part time job and who you could train. I am guessing the school would want a wavier of responsibility but in many ways this is an excellent way to deal with it. Remember most public school use para professionals for administration of insulin daily. It is really very common.

Rick Phillips

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Permalink Reply by Jan on April 16, 2009 at 5:50pm

Unless a private school accepts Federal funding, they do not have to comply with laws regarding 504 Plans. If the staff will not do blood sugar checks or administer insulin through the pump, and a volunteer nurse cannot be found, I would train her to do her own blood sugar checks, and come in myself at a moment's notice as that is the only real option at that school. I would make sure my daughter had a cell and communicated with me at all blood sugar checks, and lunch and all dosing unless I was present (and it sounds like you will be present). Will the staff administer Glucagon in an emergency? I already don't like your school. Are there any others where the staff would be more helpful?

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Permalink Reply by Penny R. on July 27, 2009 at 7:29am

My son was diagnosed at age 3. He is 7 now and will be in 2nd grade this year. He started in private school in Kindergarten. The school has always been very cooperative with me. How I've handled it is to go a few days before school starts and talk with his teacher (and her assistant) and do a crash course in diabetes management. I have prepared a notebook that answers a lot of questions that might arise during the day. I also list carb counts that the teacher might encounter at a birthday party or whatever and I also meet with the cafeteria staff and figure out the carb counts for school lunches. I hate school lunches but Riley begs to eat them, so I let him eat out of the cafeteria 2 days a week. When I send his lunch or snack I write the carb counts on the food.

Anyway, in Kindergarten Riley was old enough that he checked his sugar himself and the teacher figured carb counts and gave him insulin . He uses a pump. I trained her how to use it as well as gave her step by step written instructions.

In 1st Riley checked his sugar, his teacher figured his carbs, and Riley administered his own insulin. He always had his teacher or assitant standing with him to make sure he entered the right numbers into the pump. This year my plan is to do the same thing. Basically, his teacher has to make sure to adequatly treat lows and correctly count his carbs and monitor Riley while he gives his insulin.

Also, I make sure I am available by cell at all times. A lot of things can be handled right over the phone. I hope this helps. Email me if you have any questions.

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Permalink Reply by Sareln Pupkies on July 27, 2009 at 6:32pm

Hi Jessica. I can certainly understand your concerns. I am not familiar with the laws in NY so it is hard for me to specifically address your concerns. As a member of the school board for a private Christian school my suggestion to you would be to go to the school board and present your case to them. Ask to look at the school's policies and procedures and see what provisions there are for students with health issues. The teachers should be aware of any relavent policies but what should be and what is are sometimes two different things. I think that might be your best course of action. If there is not aa policy maybe it is time there is.

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