Below is a template of a letter that you can copy and paste into
your own Word Processor or E-mail program - fill out, then send to the president, state
senators and congressmen, governor, school officials, news media, etc..................
The more mail they receive, the more they will become aware of how important it is that
they help make a change. You've elected our officials and they are there to work for you.
Dear _______________:
I am writing to today because of a great concern of mine that exist in the State of
Florida's Public School System. My child has Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes and attends
________________ School in
________________County, Florida.
A diabetic's goal is to control their disease, not have the disease control them. This is
done by monitoring their blood sugar several times a day and consuming a healthy diet. A
diet that is essential for a child with Diabetes may consist of a morning, an afternoon
and an evening snack. To test and record a blood sugar level, one must use a Blood Glucose
monitor. The child performs a "finger stick" and
places a drop of blood onto the monitor. The monitor then displays the blood sugar level.
Within the State of Florida, there is no standardized set of guidelines that explains the rights and the care of a diabetic child while attending school. Because of this, every school has different policies". These "policies" are generally not written policies. They are merely the interpretation of the school staff. If the school staff doesn't understand diabetes, then how can they have a "policy"?
The following issues have been a concern in several schools within the State of Florida and
need attention:
1. A diabetic child being denied his/her morning or afternoon snack because "school
policy doesn't allow eating in the classroom or hallways.
2. Not allowing a diabetic child to monitor his/her blood glucose in the classroom. Most
schools say their "policy" is that the monitoring has to be done in the clinic
with the nurse. What if the school has no registered nurse on staff? (*If a diabetic is
experiencing a low blood sugar level, it would be very difficult and dangerous for that
child to walk across campus to a clinic/office.)
3. Having on hand, (in the clinic) a Glucagon Emergency Shot, and a trained staff member
to use it. Most schools tell the parent it is against their "policy" to allow
the Glucagon to even be in the school.
This injectible medication is used when a diabetic's blood sugar level drops so low that
he/she could pass out and possibly die. The shot will begin to raise their blood sugar to
a comfortable level. This is a prescribed medication.
There are many other individualized issues.
Diabetics are included under the
"Rehabilitation Act of 1973", “Section 504 of The Americans with
Disabilities Act (1990)”, and the "Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA). Even though, many of the State’s Educators are not aware
of this.
Under Florida State Statue 232.46 "Administering of medication by school district
personnel," it states, in section 1(b), that the principal or the principal's
designee (after having permission from the parent or guardian) shall administer prescribed
medication during the school day, to include when that child is off school property, on
official business. Under Florida State Statute 232.465,
"Provision of medical services; restrictions," in section 2, it states that
non-medical personnel shall be allowed to perform health related services upon completion
of child-specific training by a
registered nurse. In sub-section(d), it clearly states administering emergency injectable
medication.
If these are State Statutes, why are the school district's ignoring it and
making their own "policies"?
I feel it is necessary to enact a State Statute that will cover every situation
that could arise with a diabetic child while attending school in the State of Florida.
This would only benefit our children to ensure that they are getting an adequate and fair
education. Then our children would not have to worry about their disease causing problems
in school.
Sincerely,
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