Renee
New Member
Member is offline
Posts: 26
|
 Posted: Sep 23rd, 2007 at 12:20 am
|
|
|
My pa son started 6th grade this year. He is in school with over 1200 students. His school nurse is the nurse that he had for the first two years of school.
I have not had a 504 meeting since he started 5th grade (last year) when we revamped his 504. I spoke iwth his guidence counselor and we had a meeting set up, but with my work schedule I was unable to attend the meeting.
We have nothing in place and I know that I need to get in touch with the school about him. He does carry his epi-pen with him. He also has one in his locker. I do not h ave them implemented around the school like I had previously.
None of his teachers are aware of this and i know that it is my duty to make them aware.
I am looking to see how others have handled middle school and high school for that matter.
Thanks for you help.
Renee
Don't sweat the small stuff!!
|
|
Report Post
 Logged |
|
|
|
Luckymama
New Member
Member is offline
Posts: 37
|
|
Posted: Sep 23rd, 2007 at 08:20 pm
|
|
|
We're new on the FA journey with dd12 being diagnosed only 6 months ago. She's at a small (two homerooms/grade) K-8 school where I know every teacher personally. The fulltime school nurse is a good friend who has helped immensely. This year as a 7th grader she has five different teachers. At the back-to-school night I talked to each teacher individually about her allergies and what procedures should happen. Lucky for me, there are a few bee-allergic kids, a few diabetic kids and until last year when he moved out-of-state, a milk/peanut allergic kiddo. So it's been pretty easy so far.
Now high school will be another animal altogether. We live in a state with a lot of high school choices. We'll be going to all the open houses this fall in preparation for making the decision NEXT year, and one of our many questions will deal with allergies. Unfortunately, dd12 won't be able to attend the same high school as ds14 as he's attending an all-boy school 
Looking forward to reading the experiences of others!
|
|
Report Post
Logged |
|
Ds 14 NKA
Dd 12 Diagnosed at age 12: soy, sesame, hazelnut, watermelon, kiwi (avoiding bananas and avocados); seasonal allergies; PASSED in-office peanut challenge after positive SPT and RAST
Dd 7 reflux, allergic to Prilosec
Delaware, USA
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sep 23rd, 2007 at 08:26 pm
|
|
|
How are we handling it? I would have to say "not well."
Our elementary school was very accommodating and worked with us on everything. The principal in our jr. high is actually hostile. I don't really understand it as she has a food allergy herself.
When I brought up the possibility of a 504, I thought she was going to keel over. "Why in the world would you want to go and do that for?" was the response.
We've given our son a cell phone because we don't really feel we can depend on the school. We've also cultivated his after-lunch teacher so she'd be prepared for a reaction.
I understand that they think the kids should take on more responsibility at this point in their lives, but it seems like it goes from 0 in elementary school to 100% in jr. high. I wish it was more middle of the road.
|
|
Report Post
Logged |
|
|
|
Chicago
Member Member is offline
Posts: 864
|
|
Posted: Sep 23rd, 2007 at 08:33 pm
|
|
|
My dd (TNA and PA) started middle school last year. She carries her Epi in a purse, backpack or wristlet purse. There are also two in the main office and one in the gym office.
I had the Middle School Head show everyone the Dey DVD (they liked that it is really short - just shows how to use the Epi, not any info on food allergies, so you will need to do that seperate) and hand around the Epi trainer. We also just got those electronic heart things in the school and as part of that many of the teachers were certified on CPR. It is IMHO, just great info on helping students stay safe.
If his locker is locked (with a combo lock or something) - I would think that you need one in the main office. That is the first place that will be notified and the time to get to, open, and check/find the Epi in his locker is way too long. Do they have a space for one in the cafe? If it is not close to the main office, you may want to consider that.
Does your ds wear a medic alert? I think that that is important as they step out and want to handle things themselves.
I hope this helps.
Edit to add - She does have a cell phone. It has worked well for us just in the normal way "can I go to XX's for an hour" or " Practice is done -pick me up" But as far as her health goes it is also comforting.
« Last Edited by
Chicago
Sep 23rd, 2007 at 08:37 pm »
|
|
Report Post
Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sep 24th, 2007 at 11:51 am
|
|
|
When my DS started 6th (he entered 9th this year), he was coming from a small private school into a rather large middle school. All of his teachers found it so helpful when I gave them each an emergency plan with a picture of DS on the front page. I personally handed one of these to each of his teachers, the librarian, the lunch room ladies, and the office workers. Repeated this for 7th and 8th grades.
This year, a bit different. I simply spoke with each teacher and did not distribute the picture and emergency plan. We have a school-based health center and I spoke with them in length. Then when speaking with each teacher made it VERY clear, if DS asks to leave to go to the health center, he is to be escorted there immediately - no matter what is going on in class.
He, of course, carries his "Pen & Ben" with him. In addition, the school cafeteria has removed all known peanut products. (Even so, he still avoids most desserts - but likes to use the desserts to bargain and get extra juice or milk!)
IMO, this is a step toward him managing his allergy. He is taking on more responsibility.
Good luck!
|
|
Report Post
Logged |
|
Have a blessed day!
DS(18) Allergic to peanuts, cashews & soy and is a terrific trombone player
DD(25) Allergic to Bactrim, & iodine. DD(28) NKA
Louisiana, USA
|
|
|
GoingNuts
Moderator Member is offline
Posts: 6,816
|
|
Posted: Sep 24th, 2007 at 06:57 pm
|
|
|
My son is in 8th grade, and has been in MS since 6th. He carries two epis, Benadryl and an inhaler with him; the RN has another set of everything in her office.
A letter goes out to each subject teacher at the beginning of the year alerting them about DS, along with a copy of his emergency plan/photo. BTW, he is far from the only one in the school with allergies - we seem to have a very allergic community, LOL.
Despite this, last year he had one teacher who (aside from being a general b*tch) persisted in bringing in unsafe treats for various holidays/parties (like the kids need that crap at 10 AM). I wanted to raise a stink, but DS was adamantly against it. Since he hasn't had any problems, I reluctantly went along with his wishes. BTW, during the first "celebration" she offered him some unsafe candy, and he reminded her that he couldn't eat it and why. You'd think she would have taken the hint, but no. Pretty much in keeping with her general personality. :
The hardest part about this age (well, one of them) is knowing when to step in, and when to back off and let them handle it. My DS really hates talking about it publicly, but seems to be mostly very responsible. I'm trying to let him handle things on his own, and this was one of those times when I really didn't know which way to go. Given the past administration at the school, I let it go. This year there is a new principal who is supposed to be much more supportive, so if it comes up again, I may take action.
Now my dilemma is what to do about high school next year. I keep weighing the pros and cons of getting a 504 at this stage. I know my son will want no part of it, and my understanding is that at this age they play an active part in it. But when I think of possible school trips, etc., I think I should be prepared.
I wonder how many of us have children middle school or older? Maybe I'll start a thread to see.
Amy
|
|
Report Post
Logged |
|
USA
Mom to two boys:
DS #1 - Age 20, Superbad OAS
DS #2 - Age 17, PA, TNA, Soy, Sesame and Chick Pea
"Speak out against the madness." -- David Crosby
|
|
|
snide
Member Member is offline CANADIAN, EH
Posts: 143
|
|
Posted: Sep 24th, 2007 at 07:33 pm
|
|
|
We met with the school principal last spring to prepare for DS entering HS this September. I requested an opportunity to address the staff at the very first staff meeting with the public health nurse to do the actual training.
I did my presentation at the first staff meeting Sept 4th, for about 70 teachers and support staff. It went great, I spoke for a few minutes, introduced DS and he showed them his epi belt and the epi pens. I covered 2 main topics, in the form of questions/responses, "how allergic is he?" and "when is the right time to administer epi?" Then I introduced the public health nurse who did the epi-pen training and discussed the good samaritan act.
DS, the nurse and I left immediately after that, because it was going to be a long staff meeting (first day of high school). One of the first aid people left with us, to talk more in depth. Both the nurse and the first aid person said I did an excellent job.
The nurse said she didn't even know why she was there, that I could have easily done the whole thing by myself. DH laughed at that when I told him later. He said I probably had way more experience with real epi-pens and anaphylactic reactions than any public health nurse. But I did want the Nurse there because I'm sure she has more credibility with the staff then I do.
Short story long, I think they got it. Time will tell. Fingers and toes crossed.
So far so good.
ETA DS carries two epi's in his epi belt, and there is a spare in the main office and the PE office. The schools are required this year to have spare epis in the office that they provide. I'm not sure who came up with this, if it's a local, district thing, or province wide? We will continue to have our own back-ups and the school supplied ones will be back-ups to my back-ups
« Last Edited by
snide
Sep 24th, 2007 at 07:38 pm »
|
|
Report Post
Logged |
|
Teenagers, now I know why some animals eat their young.
Cheers,
Cynde
CANADIAN, EH
|
|
|
AdamsMom
Member Member is offline
Posts: 102
|
|
Posted: Sep 24th, 2007 at 09:31 pm
|
|
|
Middle school for us is grade 7 and 8. School has approximately 400 students.
All anaphylactic students must carry epi's with them (Sabrina's Law), as well as epi in the office.
All PA/TNA grade 7 (9 of them) students were placed in the same class this year  (mentioned in the other thread).
|
|
Report Post
Logged |
|
"You've got enemies? Good. It means you stood up for something at sometime." Sir Winston Churchill
Canada
|
|
|
Middle School - (Read 550 Times)
