For Schools

All people with diabetes must carefully balance their medication, food, and exercise in order to stay healthy. To do this, they use a combination of insulininjections (or other medication for type 2 diabetes), frequent blood glucose checks, careful meal planning, and exercise. It's a difficult balance to maintain, requiring constant vigilance. This is why careful diabetes care in the school is so important.

As a person who deals with children in a school setting, it is important for you to know how to care for a child with diabetes. This section will give you information you need in order to understand diabetes and provide a safe environment for all of your students.

What is Diabetes?
Learn about type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the signs and symptoms of diabetes.

Further Reading . . .
Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel Together with the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), the U.S. Department of Education, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of School Nurses, and other organizations, your American Diabetes Association has produced a new diabetes resource for schools. And, best yet, it's free. For books on healthy living, click here.

How has Diabetes Inspired You?
Inspired by Diabetes is a global campaign asking people with diabetes, as well as their family, friends and healthcare professionals, to express how diabetes has impacted their lives — and share those stories with others around the world.

Diabetes Management at School
This section discusses the importance of checking blood glucose, how to check, and when to check blood glucose.

Roles & Responsibilities
Find out what your responsibilities are as a school staff person.

NEW! Tips for Teachers (PDF)
These tips for teachers were adapted from Loudoun County, VA Public Schools. They will help your child's teacher to understand how the needs of students with diabetes can best be met in the school setting.

Presentation: Tips to Help Teachers Keep Kids with Diabetes Safe at School
School nurses can now download this template presentation and talking points to help inform teachers in their school about how to keep kids with diabetes safe at school. The presentation defines diabetes, describes warning signs for immediate concerns such as hypoglcyemia, and gives tips for helping students with diabetes in their classroom. Give this presentation and then hand out our "Ten Tips for Teachers of Kids with Diabetes" (PDF) above and "Solutions for Common Diabetes Management Concerns in the Classroom." (PDF)

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School Walk for Diabetes

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