Section 3 - Goal 6 - ii) School Personnel

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Provide Workshops/in-services

Description:

Teachers have the most contact with students in school and are in the best position to notice when a child is having asthma symptoms. The presentation focuses on triggers, exercise-induced asthma, medication, how to manage worsening asthma and how to use asthma devices.

Things to Consider:

  • Discuss with principal the best time to offer in-service and allowing for adequate time to complete presentation (recommend 20 minutes).
  • Offer in-service during staff meetings, Lunch & Learns, PD days or as an after school workshop.
  • Lunch & Learns are effective. They offer more time and are attended by teachers with an interest in asthma management.
  • Provide food/snacks as an incentive at Lunch & Learns.
  • Suggest being first on the agenda. Teachers are less attentive if the presentation is held at the end of the staff meeting.
  • Be familiar with school board protocol regarding asthma and medication usage. Be aware of school’s protocol for managing asthma.
  • Show airway models and demonstrate asthma devices. Teachers enjoy visual demonstrations. Obtain placebo inhalers and airway models from pharmaceutical repr esentatives.
  • Allow time for questions.
  • Keep presentation and resources up to date, including asthma statistics.
  • Organize teacher resource package using Ontario Lung Association materials.

See Resources:

Identify Asthma “Champion”

Description:

Elicit a staff person or parent to volunteer as an asthma champion. Their responsibility might include sharing and updating asthma resources, planning activities, contacting the Public Health Nurse and/or community partners.

Things to Consider:

  • Invite volunteer to meetings that are held with principal.
  • Often individuals affected by asthma are more dedicated and interested.

See Resources: