Second day of school and problem already

[pookas]

Last year HUnter had a full-time aide w/ him in the classroom and she is w/ thim this year as well. She was also the Kindergarten aide last year, which wasn't a problem because that's where he was. Now, I come to find out she is still the Kindergarten aide AND Hunter's aide. She is running back and forth between 3 classrooms. This morning the nurse called me and said Hunter came in feeling shaky and he was at 66. So she treated him and called me to let me know. This evening, I asked Hunter if Ms. Sue [the aide] took him to the nurse. He said no, she wasn't in the room. The nurses office is only about 30 ft from his classroom, but he went alone while feeling low!! What if the nurse wasn't there and he had to stand in her office waiting or something? Also, when he went to the nurse he just asked the teacher if he could go to the nurse. He didn't tell her that he felt low. I'm trying to stress that point w/ him to tell her why he had to go. So, I called the guidence counselor, who I drew up the 504 w/, at home and I'm waiting to hear back. I'm furious! I didn't put it in his 504 that someone had to escort him to the nurses office because I thought the aide would be around him all the time! Guess we need to change that! Just and FYI, Do not assume...

[Boo]

I agree...they should never walk to the nurse alone if they are feeling low. Unfortunately, you probably should have put that in the 504 plan (can it be added?) Hopefully if you stress it enough to your son, his teacher, the nurse and the aide (and maybe the principal), they'll figure it out!

[pookas]

Just spoke w/ the guidance counselor. She wasn't aware that the aide was being pulled in so many directions and didn't realize she wasn't in the classroom all the time. I told her he needs someone in the room to be aware of what's going on w/ him. I told her, what if his BS was 45 and he went to the nurse alone and had to wait or something? She assured me that she would talk w/ the principal tomorrow morning and straighten things out. I told her when we wrote up this years 504, it was put in there that she was HIS aide and it was understood that she would be w/ him ALL day. As a matter of fact, 15 minutes ago, Hunter was in the tub and said his belly hurt all over, so I immediately checked him and he was 50! So, that goes to show that he can get that low w/out recognizing what it is. They just do not realize! I told the counselor that it was very scary for me to hear that he had to go to the nurse alone when he was low! UGH! I'm so frustrated! I THOUGHT we had all of this straightened out. I may be on the phone w/ the Superintendant tomorrow morning, then heads are gonna roll!!!!!

[Tamara Gamble]

You go girl! This stuff is so frustrating. If it's in the 504 that he is to have an aid then the aid needs to be there at all times. I'm surprised that they let you have one without an OHI, or should I say impressed! The 504 should always state that a student with diabetes should never be alone. If it's not there it sould be in the DMP. Either way you are covered. Better if it's in the 504. If 504 says to see the DMP for hypo or hyper is should be in there and Hunter should be covered. If you want it changed you just submitt your request in writing and the 504 can be revised at any time.

Good Luck! God Bless! Tami

[Mary Lou]

The same thing happened to us shortly after Brian's diagnosis (he was 6). He told his teacher "his legs felt weak" (his key phrase for feeling low), and she sent him alone to the nurse's office (it's was on the other end of building). When he got there, he was 31, his lowest reading ever. I asked him if he had trouble getting to the nurse's office, his reply: "Oh no, Mom, I held on to the wall." :eek:

He has never gone alone since, and usually the nurses's come to his class if he feels low.

Have *everything* in your 504 -- address issues like how is he to be monitored when using the bathroom from the playground...

His teachers have also found it useful for us to send in printed and updated lists of the phrases he uses when he's low. He's old enough now to recognize the feeling and tell someone, but I sent new lists in all the time, so that the teachers would know what to look for (such as the upset stomach thing you mentioned).

[wendyc]

I wonder how much the school staff really retains in regards to the 504. Especially with first day of school and everything else going on. I kind of wondered this after our meeting with the nurses. They read the 504 and medical plan, but didn't comment too much. There are 6 diabetics in the grammar school, so I'm pretty sure they have an unwritten across the board protocol. I'm comfortable with our plan, and they said they were, but I now know in the future that if we have anything out of the ordinary that I will be sure to put that top at the list in red so they know it's new, it will also be cause for discussion.
I hope you have everything worked out soon.

[twicker1]

I know that I have been recently bashing our school, but I do have a couple of things to brag about, and possibly give others some ideas. I have left juice in the classroom, computer lab, library, and gym. If Brandon says he feels low, they are to give him a juice, and then get an aide to walk him to the clinic.

Also, they have come up with a code for an emergency. If he were to fall out, whoever is supervising him is to hit the emergency button to the front desk and initiate "Code Sugarbear to (blank)". The nurse then knows to grab glucometer and Glucagon and run to where ever he is. Amazingly, the principal, who I don't like, came up with the name of the code. They have another code that tells the teachers to lockdown the rooms, if a person is in the building who shouldn't be there or is acting violent, etc.

[zimbie45]

WOW, How frusterating.. That is one thing i have in the 504 and the school policy is already for any kidnergartener and 1st grader, never walks to the office or nurse alone w/o and adult.. not anouther child... I hope that things will work out for you and the school can figure this all out.....