Diabetes at School: End of the School Year Checklist

Summary: Your end of the school year checklist for students with diabetes should include: gathering diabetes supplies, thanking the school nurse, and taking stock of any updates that might be needed in your student with diabetes’ 504 plan.

Last Day Checklist

School ends this week for our family. I know this may be too late for some of you, but as I made a mental note of things I needed to take care of at school this week regarding my daughter’s diabetes, I thought I would share some of my to-do list with you.

End of School Diabetes Checklist

Gather Supplies

If you are like us, you have a gazillion diabetes supplies stored at school. Time to schlep all that stuff back home.

We have “low kits” stashed in several locations throughout the school including the PE office and the art and library area. We also have larger kits in the classroom and music room (that’s in a separate building) that have everything she might need in the event of a lock down.

We have a tote bag full of snacks that are safe for her (in terms of her food allergies) and healthier snacks such as fruit cups in juice.

We have allergy-safe and carb counted cupcakes in the nurse’s freezer.

In the main office, we have her epi-pen, inhaler, and Benadryl in case of allergy related emergencies, as well as her glucagon kit. (She also self-carries these items.)

And save those expired glucagon kits. You can use them to train teachers and staff at the beginning of the next school year.

The Nurse

Don’t forget to thank the school nurse.

Time totally got away from me this year and I forgot to send in a thank you note to the nurse, but I do feel it’s important to thank the school nurse for keeping my child safe and for helping her manage her diabetes and food allergies during the school year.

What is an appropriate token of your appreciation? I like to write a little note or purchase a thank you card. At Christmas time I usually give a small gift card to Starbuck’s or some other fun place.

Looking Forward

The end of the school year is also a good time to reflect on what went right this year and where there could be some changes or improvements for next year. Think about any issues you might have had and how they can be addressed in the 504 plan. Even though school is technically out for summer, administrators are often there and can set up a meeting before school resumes to make any changes. After all, the 504 is a fluid document and you can make changes at any time.

Phew! We made it through another year.