Public input on this draft document is welcome. Visit www.ugdsb.on.ca/policy or write to
Policy, UGDSB, 500 Victoria Rd. N., Guelph ON N1E 6K2. Deadline is May 11, 2016.
Asthma Friendly Schools
Procedures Manual 516-A
Category:
Administered by:
First Adopted:
Revision History:
Next Review:
1.
Students
Appropriate Superintendent
June 2016
2020-2021 School Year
General
Asthma is a very common chronic (long-term) lung disease than can make it hard
to breathe. It is the belief of the Upper Grand District School Board that all
students are entitled to safe and healthy environments in our schools.
In accordance with Ryan’s Law - Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools, 2015, the
Board is committed to minimizing the risks to students with asthma while in
attendance at school or a school-related activity. Ryan’s Law states that:
“If an employee has reason to believe that a pupil is experiencing an
asthma exacerbation, the employee may administer asthma medication to
the pupil for the treatment of the exacerbation, even if there is no
preauthorization to do so under subsection (1).” s3(3).
“No action or other proceeding for damages shall be commenced against
an employee for an act or omission done or omitted by the employee in
good faith in the execution or intended execution of any duty or power
under this Act.” s.3(4).
2.
Definitions
Asthma
Asthma is a very common chronic (long-term) lung disease that can make it hard
to breathe. People with asthma have sensitive airways that react to triggers.
There are many different types of triggers, for example poor air quality, mold,
dust, pollen, viral infections, animals, smoke, cold air and volatile organic
compounds (VOC). Symptoms of asthma are variable and can include coughing,
wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. The
symptoms can range from mild to severe and sometimes could be life
threatening.
June 2016
Page 1 of 7
ASTHMA FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
PROCEDURES MANUAL 516-A
Emergency Medication
“Emergency Medication” refers to medication that is administered by a staff
member to a student at the time of an asthma exacerbation, for example reliever
inhaler or stand-by medication.
Medication
“Medication” refers to medications that are prescribed by a health care provider
and, by necessity, may be administered to a student, or taken by the student
during school hours or school related activities.
Immunity
Ryan's Law (Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools), 2015 states that “No action or
other proceeding for damages shall be commenced against an employee for an
act or omission done or omitted by the employee in good faith in the execution or
intended execution of any duty or power under this Act.”
3.
Background
The Board’s policy and procedures regarding Asthma are designed to ensure
compliance with Ryan’s Law. The Creating Asthma Friendly Schools manual,
created by Ophea and available on UGShare, will be consulted when developing
and implementing strategies to help ensure the safety of asthmatic students in
schools.
4.
The Role and Responsibilities of the Principal
Principals or designates will:
4.1
Ensure that, upon registration, parents, guardians and pupils are asked to
supply information about asthma.
4.2
Complete a Student Asthma Management Plan for each pupil who has
asthma. Plans shall include:
June 2016

personal identifying information, including a student photo

emergency contacts

known asthma triggers

symptoms which may indicate an asthma reaction

name of medication(s) and dosage
Page 2 of 7
ASTHMA FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
PROCEDURES MANUAL 516-A

details relating to the storage of the pupil’s asthma medication,
including:
o if the pupil is under 16 years old, whether the pupil has his
or her parent’s or guardian’s permission to carry his or her
asthma medication
o whether any spare medication is kept in the school and, if
so, where it is stored

monitoring and avoidance strategies

any additional information may be attached to the Plan
4.3
Take into consideration any recommendations made by the pupil’s health
care provider. Such recommendations shall be included or attached to
Student Asthma Management Plans when available.
4.4
Permit a pupil to carry his or her asthma medication, if the pupil has his or
her parent’s or guardian’s permission.
4.4.1
4.5
If the pupil is 16 years or older, the pupil is not required to have
his or her parent’s or guardian’s permission to carry his or her
asthma medication.
Update the medical information of each student enrolled in the school to
determine if new medical conditions have developed, if existing medical
conditions have changed, and to ensure instructions and emergency
contacts are up-to-date.
4.5.1
Communicate to parents and students so that they are aware of
parent and student responsibilities as outlined in the policy.
4.6
Strongly recommend that all asthmatic students carry a physician
prescribed reliever inhaler with them at all times (subject to a
developmental capacity).
4.7
Strongly recommend that parents provide at least one additional reliever
inhaler to be stored in a readily accessible location in the school.
4.8
Strongly recommend that students wear Medicalert® jewellery, and advise
parents of elementary students of the availability through the “No Child
Without®” program.
June 2016
Page 3 of 7
ASTHMA FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
PROCEDURES MANUAL 516-A
4.9
Provide a copy of all Student Asthma Management Plans of any students
who are transported to and from school on the bus, to Wellington-Dufferin
Student Transportation Services.
4.9.1
Provide copies of Student Asthma Management Plans to field trip
bus drivers, of any student with asthma who will be on the trip.
4.10
Develop and implement strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to
asthmatic triggers in classrooms and common school areas. (See the
Creating Asthma Friendly Schools manual available on UGShare, which
contains strategies for schools to reduce the risk of accidental exposure to
common asthma triggers.)
4.11
Communicate information on asthma to students, parents, employees and
regular volunteers a minimum of once per school year.
4.11.1 The communication strategy may include sharing general
information about asthma, and on an age-appropriate basis
information about the Asthma Friendly Schools policy and
procedures, and the Creating Asthma Friendly Schools manual.
4.11.2 Communication techniques may include school newsletters, social
media, email, video and audio announcements, printed materials,
or any other appropriate method.
5.
4.12
Ensure that all employees and others who are in direct contact with a
student on a regular basis are provided with access to a copy of the
student’s individual Asthma Management Plan.
4.13
Communicate with the School Council regarding any issues with allergens
or irritants in the school and advise that there are strategies in place which
may have implications for fundraising or other events in the school.
4.14
Communicate to the school community, as required, that bullying of
students regarding asthma will not be tolerated.
The Role and Responsibilities of the Classroom
Teacher/Occasional Teacher
The classroom teacher/occasional teacher has the responsibility to:
5.1
June 2016
Follow the Board’s Asthma Friendly Schools Policy #516.
Page 4 of 7
ASTHMA FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
PROCEDURES MANUAL 516-A
6.
5.2
Be aware of and follow the Student Asthma Management Plan for each
student in their classroom who has asthma.
5.3
Follow directions from the school principal for the dissemination of
information on asthma to parents/guardians, students, other staff
members, and volunteers.
5.4
Be aware that students with asthma are able to choose, without penalty,
not to participate in an activity that may precipitate an asthma attack.
5.5
Take precautions choosing classroom materials and planning
classroom activities, field trips or special events to minimize risks
to students.
5.6
Participate in regular training on dealing with asthma.
5.7
Leave the Student Asthma Management Plan in a prominent and
accessible location for occasional teachers.
The Role and Responsibilities of Other School Personnel,
Support Staff and Volunteers
Other school personnel, support staff and volunteers who are in direct contact
with pupils on a regular basis will:
7.
6.1
Participate in regular training on dealing with asthma.
6.2
Be aware of the school’s emergency action plan, and also the “Managing
Asthma Attacks” information on the reverse side of every Student Asthma
Management Plan.
6.3
Know who to contact in case of an emergency.
The Role and Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians of Students
with Asthma
Parents / guardians have the responsibility to:
7.1
Inform the school principal and teacher(s) of their child’s asthma.
7.2
Meet with the principal or vice-principal to establish the Student Asthma
Management Plan.
June 2016
Page 5 of 7
ASTHMA FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
PROCEDURES MANUAL 516-A
8.
7.3
Assist with the development of the Student Asthma Management Plan.
7.4
Review the Student Asthma Management Plan annually, and immediately
when circumstances change.
7.5
Ensure emergency contact numbers are current.
7.6
If possible, provide the school with the student’s health care provider’s
written instructions for the child’s care including administration of
medication.
7.7
If possible, provide the school with a spare reliever inhaler, to be safely
stored and used as needed.
7.8
Ensure all medications provided to the school are kept up to date.
7.9
If possible, provide their child with Medicalert® jewellery (See No Child
Without® program for elementary students).
7.10
Consider participating in field trips.
7.11
Teach their child (contingent on the student’s physical and developmental
capabilities) to:

recognize the first symptoms of an asthma episode

know where his/her medication is kept, and who can get it

communicate clearly when he/she feels an asthma attack starting

carry his/her own reliever inhaler and understand its purpose

use the reliever inhaler, if capable of self-administration

take as much responsibility as possible for his/her own safety and
well-being
The Role and Responsibilities of the Student with Asthma
The asthmatic student has the responsibility to (subject to a developmental
capacity in this regard):
8.1
Carry a reliever inhaler at all times, as applicable.
8.2
Ensure that teachers, principals and friends know where to find the
reliever inhaler that they carry with them, in the event they have difficulty
getting to the medication.
June 2016
Page 6 of 7
ASTHMA FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
PROCEDURES MANUAL 516-A
9.
8.3
Know how to use the reliever inhaler if capable of self-administration.
8.4
Wear Medicalert® jewellery (or equivalent), if available.
8.5
Follow expectations of health care provider, parent/guardian and
strategies in the Student Asthma Management Plan.
8.6
Self-identify as asthmatic to occasional personnel associated with the
school (i.e., occasional teachers, educational assistants, co-op student,
parent volunteer, or board-approved transportation driver) as appropriate.
8.7
Promptly inform an adult as soon as symptoms appear.
8.8
Students with asthma are able to choose, without penalty, not to
participate in an activity that may precipitate an asthma attack.
The Role and Responsibilities of the School Council
School Council has a responsibility to be aware of and comply with this policy to
ensure the safety of all children, and consider implications for fundraising or other
events in the school.
June 2016
Page 7 of 7