Have you seen the recently launched Diabetes@School website? It is choc-full of valuable information and resources to support safe and effective diabetes management at school, speaking specifically to awareness,  literacy, and expertise. The site also offers many tools and resources that can be shared and used for daycares, coaches, babysitters, sleepovers, etc.

 

Diabetes@School is a national initiative developed by the Canadian Paediatric Society, in partnership with Diabetes Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Endocrine Group. The website features bilingual training resources for use by educators, school boards, and parents of children with diabetes.

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PROVINCIAL SCHOOLS POLICY

 

As you may have heard, the Ministry of Education has released a policy memorandum requiring school boards to develop a Prevalent Medical Conditions Policy by September 2018, to include diabetes.  Click HERE to read the news release from October of this year for more detail about the policy.

 

Click HERE to read the Canadian Paediatric Society/Diabetes Canada response to the new policy introduced by the Ministry of Education.

 

Drs Lawrence and Palmert agree that this policy announcement is a huge step forward, but they do point out a couple things they'd like modified, which include:

• asking each and every school board to develop a policy, as opposed to being province-wide

• a diabetes-specific appendix, outlining clearly what the minimum standards should be, would further support the success of the initiative 

• mandating that schools are required to designate individuals to provide hands-on support to those who need it would be effective than just making the suggestion

• the structure of how the care plan is written, compared to the national care plan, introducing a risk that it will be less standardized.

 

Advocacy tip sheets are being sent out to families by the CPS and Diabetes Canada, summarizing the status of the policy and detail steps parents and students can take to advocate for a local policy. Also, the first of 5 video modules on the Diabetes@School website to complement the existing resources. 

 

VIDEO 1: Type 1 Diabetes: The Basics For Teachers & School Staff - English  |  French

 

VIDEO 2: Type 1 Diabetes: High Blood Sugar At School - English  |  French

 

VIDEO 3: Type 1 Diabetes: Low Blood Sugar At School - English  |  French    

 

VIDEO 4: Type 1 Diabetes: How to Prevent Emergencies - English | French

 

VIDEO 5: Type 1 Diabetes: Severe Low Blood Sugar At School - English  |  French

 

The 2nd of 5 modules will include:

• Understanding Blood Sugar: The Basics for School Staff

• Insulin: What School Staff Need to Know

• Physical activity and type 1 diabetes: What school staff should know

• Food and type 1 diabetes: What school staff need to know

 

Stay tuned for more great content to come from Diabetes@School!