The School Staff Action Tools have been developed to assist school personnel in managing diabetes at school. The school nurse can distribute these handouts as well as provide additional training.

The recommendations for Diabetes Care in the Schools have been divided up into sections that are appropriate for Parents, Students, Physicians, School Administrators and other personnel who provide clinical care. The following outlines provide an additional overview of actions for school personnel.

Click for the following sub-sections:

• Actions for the Principal
• Actions for the Unlicensed Active Personnel
• Actions for the School Counselor
• Actions for the Classroom Teacher
• Actions for the Coach and Physical Education Instructor

• The principal should receive training on the "recommendations for Diabetes Care in the Schools". Use the school manual as a resource. Refer specifically to Administrative recommendations.
• Designate school personnel to be responsible for diabetes management during school hours and school sponsored events.
• Involve school staff in the "Diabetes Basics, A Training Program For School Personnel". The school nurse is qualified to provide this training as well as ensuring staff competency with ongoing monitoring and supervision.
• Develop school policies that will assist in accommodating individual student's needs for blood glucose testing whenever and wherever necessary. School policies need to ensure privacy as needed as well as the safety of all students and staff.
• Develop school policies that will assist in accommodating individual student's needs for insulin administration at school.
• Develop school policies that will enhance a student's growth towards independent management of their diabetes.
• Provide positive support and encouragement to students with diabetes and their families.
• The school nurse should provide the principal with a copy of the student's completed ISHP and relevant procedures, and the poster form of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia treatment.

• Ensure ongoing communication with the school nurse regarding any new students with diabetes.
• Receive training from the school nurse or certified diabetes educator on "Diabetes Basics, A Training Program for School Personnel" for a comprehensive background on diabetes management at school.
• Receive training on the Individualized School Healthcare Plan (ISHP) for Management of Diabetes at School and School Sponsored Events and specific procedures relating to individual students with diabetes.
• Implement procedures in accordance with the ISHP.
• Assist with classroom accommodations for diabetes care as needed. Communicate with classroom teacher as appropriate.
• Document on all procedures given and alert school nurse to any changes, unusual circumstances, or concerns in regards to card.
• Communicate with the parent as appropriate.
• Provide positive support and encouragement to the student with diabetes and their family.
• The school nurse should provide all unlicensed assistive personnel with a copy of the student's completed ISHP and relevant procedures, and the poster form of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia treatment.

• Assist school personnel in understanding the implications of a chronic disease as it relates to learning, emotional and physical well being. Problems may include feeling different from peers, frustration, anger, resentment, withdrawal and possible eating disorders.
• Provide counseling to the student and family as needed to assist with coping skills and compliance to diabetes regimen.

• Receive training on "Diabetes Basics, A Training Program for School Personnelso appropriate care can be provided in the classroom. Most important is recognizing signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and providing immediate treatment.
• Receive a copy and become familiar with the student's Individualized School Healthcare Plan (ISHP) for Management of Diabetes at School and School Sponsored Events.
• Obtain the poster form of Hypo/Hyperglycemia for quick reference in classroom. Sudden behavior changes can be related to hypoglycemia. Refer any behavior changs such as low self-esteem or withdrawal to the school counselor.
• Prepare a substitute teach information packet to includes copies of the hypo/hyperglycemia posters as well as other relevant information. A photo of the student with diabetes would be helpful for identification.
• Provide accommodations for blood glucose testing in the classroom if needed. The student may need a designated area for testing.
• Provide accommodations for hyperglycemia if needed. This includes the allowance of a water bottle in the classroom, bathroom privileges as needed and possible omission of physical exercise per written details in the student's ISHP.
• Provide accommodations for snacks if needed during classroom time.
• Provide accommodations for school parties. Notify the parent ahead of time to allow for planning of food accommodations.
• Provide accommodations for educational issues related to hypoglycemic events. The student with diabetes may need to delay school work if hypoglycemia occurs. Hypoglycemia can impair thinking for several hours.
• Encourage the student with diabetes to participate fully in school activities and events.
• Communicate appropriate events to school nurse and parents.
• Provide support and encouragement to the student with diabetes and their families.
• The school nurse should provide the classroom teacher with a copy of the student's ISHP and relevant procedures, and the poster form of Hypoglycemia and/or Hyperglycemia treatment.

• Receive training on "Diabetes Basics, A Training Program for School Personnel so appropriate care can be provided in the classroom. Most important is recognizing signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and providing immediate treatment.
• Receive a copy and become familiar with the student's Individualized School Healthcare Plan (ISHP) for Management of Diabetes at School and School Sponsored Events.
• Obtain the poster form of Hypo/Hyperglycemia treatment to use as a quick reference for treatment.
• Ensure that the student's blood glucose testing kit, extra snacks and fast acting sugar sources are immediately available tot he student at all times.
• Provide accommodations for activities as needed. This is detailed in the ISHP. Accommodations may include blood glucose testing, extra snacks before, during, and/or after exercise and possibly activity restriction with hyperglycemia.
• After the completion of any vigorous activity, it is extremely important that the student is not left alone. Ensure that careful monitoring of the blood glucose and extra carbohydrates are consumed in accordance with the student's ISHP to assist in preventing hypoglycemia. NOTE: muscles may continue to use glucose for up to 12 hours after exercise.
• Encourage the student's participation in physical activity and sports events.
• The school nurse should provide the coach or physical education instructor with a copy of the student's completed ISHP and relevant procedures, and the poster form of Hypoglycemia and/or Hyperglycemia treatment.