lunch/recess monitors

coconne3 · #1 08-26-2009, 05:31 AM

there has been some great advice on school here recently, thank you. I may have missed this topic so I apologize if this is a repeat question but here it goes. What do you all do about lunch/recess monitors? There are no teachers there only these monitors. Do you send a meter and glucose tabs outside with instructions? Do you just have them call the nurse if there is a problem? I guess lunch is not really an issue because the nurse is right down the hall but I am concerned about recess and arrival. My DD is only 6. She knows how to check BS but not what to do?
Also, I see people leave "low" kits in several places but do you also leave extra glucose monitors? Any advice would be appreciated. thanks Colleen

hawkeyegirl · #2 08-26-2009, 07:41 AM

We do not leave anything with the lunch or playground monitors, but Jack's school is really small, and the nurse's office is only steps away from the lunchroom and playground. Her office actually has a door that opens onto the playground. Part of the reason too is that Jack is asymptomatic, so if he's low enough to need assistance, he's probably going to need glucagon anyway, which I feel is beyond the scope of lunch and playground aides in a school with a full-time nurse.

Mary Lou · #3 08-26-2009, 07:45 AM

We have the nurse check Brian's BG before recess (and he usually gets 10 free carbs before heading out to play). He carries some tabs or skittles with him in case he feels low, and will treat himself without testing, but that's it. The monitors are all aware of his D, and I believe they carry tabs on them, but he has never needed their help.

The recess monitors will take note of when he goes inside to use the bathroom and will make sure he comes out. When he was younger, someone would go inside the school with him so he wasn't alone.

Andrew's school is much smaller and his classroom door opens directly on the playground and is monitored by his teacher who is his primary care giver at school.

Judy&Alli · #4 08-26-2009, 08:20 AM

This post really caught my eye because I am the recess monitor at my dd school.

Our school at the beginning of the year gives us a confidential medical list. It has everyone on there that has a medical issue of any sort, allergies and so forth. Of course there are 2 children that have T1. So they are both on there. The list includes there name and what class they are in so we know when thrid grade comes out little "johnny" is coming and he is allergic to bee stings.

We also carry walkie talkies to radio to the principal/nurse if there is a problem. We have never in 6 years needed to call in an emergency.

I hope this helps ease your fears. You might want to call the school and see what their protocol is.

GaPeach · #5 08-26-2009, 08:58 AM

Last year the nurse met with the whole school and explained how to treat a low with gel. Then gel was placed in strategic locations around the elementary school.

This year, no training at the middle school beyond the nurse. However, she is having a Children's Healthcare of Atlanta nurse come to do in service training. I prepared several emergency kits (pencil boxes) with meter, juice, tabs, gel and peanut butter crackers and they are scatteed throughout the building in homeroom, chorus, gym, media center in case of sudden low or lockdown situation.

Heather(CA) · #6 08-26-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coconne3

there has been some great advice on school here recently, thank you. I may have missed this topic so I apologize if this is a repeat question but here it goes. What do you all do about lunch/recess monitors? There are no teachers there only these monitors. Do you send a meter and glucose tabs outside with instructions? Do you just have them call the nurse if there is a problem? I guess lunch is not really an issue because the nurse is right down the hall but I am concerned about recess and arrival. My DD is only 6. She knows how to check BS but not what to do?
Also, I see people leave "low" kits in several places but do you also leave extra glucose monitors? Any advice would be appreciated. thanks Colleen

Is recess before or after lunch? If before, she should test before going out and have a snack if necc. If after, It's unlikely she will go low while on the playground. But, I would still make a point of meeting them and introducing them to your daughter face to face. That way if she comes to them feeling low, they will know what she's talking about and get her to the nurse.

selketine · #7 08-26-2009, 09:52 AM

Whether a child should be tested before recess depends on when recess is in relation to snack or lunch, etc. In K we tested and last year we did not cause recess was right after lunch.

William has a box that goes with him everywhere that is one of those little storage boxes with a handle - got it at Target. Inside is a test kit ready to go, tabs, juice, cheese/cracker snack and a copy of his health plan written such that a layperson could make it out. The monitors are made aware of his medical issues and have walkie talkies. Our school is small so if there is a problem he is escorted to the health room by an adult. The supply box is in case there is an emergency lock down of the school. Those kids outside the school might be take across the street to the high school or next door to another facility that was an old middle school. This is so he would have supplies with him. The box is also taken with him inside the school so if there is a lock down his supplies are always with him.

He is 7 and can test and is learning to treat himself (with tabs if low) - but he still needs supervision for the most part. When he is older we expect he would test and treat anywhere - but this is what we do for now.

sammysmom · #8 08-26-2009, 10:08 AM

My son hands his "to go" pack off to a recess montior. It has all of his supplies in it...always near by.

Jake'sMama · #9 08-26-2009, 10:41 AM

Jake's school is 400 kids, but they aren't all on the playground at the same time. One of the monitors is also the person who makes sure he finishes his lunch (after recess), so I know that at least one is aware. Judy's post made me feel better!

No kit, they would get him to the health aide.

liasmommy2000 · #10 08-26-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammysmom

My son hands his "to go" pack off to a recess montior. It has all of his supplies in it...always near by.

Similar here. But Lia has an aide that counts her carbs at lunch and she carries all her supplies with her in a mini back pack (we also have back ups of everything in the office). Outside Lia usually hands it to the aide. Sometimes though she will forget it and just goes about her playing with it on her back lol.

We are also a small school and when she was younger she didn't carry her supplies with her. They also have walkie talkies.