Returning to School

It is important for a child with diabetes to take part in school activities, for physical, emotional and social well-being.  

The amount of help from the school may vary. The school and family will need to work together to determine the amount of help needed. The child’s age, length of time since diagnosis and development stage will affect their ability to do various tasks on their own.

Meet with School Staff

Schedule a meeting with your child’s school staff before returning to school when your child is first diagnosed with diabetes, and every year after. At this meeting, review the Diabetes School Orders, Insulin Dose Orders and the Individual Management Plan for caring for your child at school with:

• School Nurse: If you do not have a school nurse, ask the school who will be helping with your child’s diabetes. Include them in the meeting.
• Other school personnel: nurse’s aide, administrative support staff, teacher, principal, food service manager, bus driver, counselor, physical education teacher/coach

Plan ahead for your school meeting: 

• Make a list of the diabetes care your child will need at school. 
• Ask your diabetes provider if they have written guidelines for diabetes care at school.
• Ask the school staff if there are any required forms that need to be filled out.

During your meeting with school staff, ask the following questions:

• Who will help monitor my child’s diabetes care at school, on the bus and during field trips?
• Who will help or give my child insulin at school if needed?
• Who will call me when my child’s diabetes supplies need to be replaced?
• Is carbohydrate information for school foods available?
• Who will remind my child to eat their meals or snack (if applicable)?

Speak with the school staff to decide:

• Where to store items used to treat low glucose.
• Where to check glucose levels.
• A plan to report glucose results to you and talk about diabetes management as needed.
• A lan to address recurrent absences or requests to be excused from class due to diabetes 

Diabetes is regarded as a disability by federal law and students with diabetes have rights to accommodations to meet their needs. Parents and school staff may develop a written plan called a 504 plan that outlines specific accommodations and responsibilities related to diabetes care needs at school. 

Suggested websites for additional information: 

• American Diabetes Association – Living with Diabetes
• Children with Diabetes – Diabetes at School
• Ohio Department of Education

Diabetes Supplies at School

It is important to have all supplies and equipment needed for diabetes care at school. Diabetes care supplies that stay at school should be monitored and refilled as needed so that diabetes care at school is not interrupted and the child can receive the care they need at all times. The specific types of supplies varies based on the diabetes care needs at school. These may include: 

• Blood glucose meter 
• Glucagon emergency Kit, nasal spray or autoinjector 
• Blood glucose meter test strips
• Insulin pen or insulin vial
• Lancet device
• Pen needles
• Lancets
• Syringes
• Ketone strips
• Extra insulin pump supplies
• Fast-acting carbohydrates to treat low glucose 

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) receiver or smartphone with CGM app and insulin pump device are needed at school and home. These supplies typically travel with the child to and from school.

Safety Tips for Physical Activity

• Exercise and activity, such as recess or physical education classes, may lower glucose levels.
• Keeping safe glucose levels for physical activity usually requires a specific physical activity plan. This plan may include that the student eat carbohydrates without taking insulin before activity, modify an insulin dose before activity, or adjust insulin pump settings during activity. Discuss the most appropriate care plan for physical activity with your child’s diabetes care provider.
• All school personnel should be aware of the signs and symptoms of low glucose.
• Fast-acting carbohydrates (such as juice) should always be readily available to treat low glucose.