Checklist
School meeting checklist for a child with Type 1 Diabetes
Bring written instructions, define who does what, and leave with a real plan for class time, low treatment, PE, trips, and communication.
- Written plans beat verbal reassurance.
- Clarify low treatment, device access, and communication before the first emergency.
- Region-specific laws vary, but a written care plan is the common starting point.
The school meeting matters because daily school life is full of little gaps. A teacher thinks the nurse handles it. The nurse thinks the parent will text. The parent assumes recess was covered. Nobody is being malicious. The system is just loose until somebody writes it down.
Bring written orders and one plain-language summary
Take the formal medical paperwork the school requires, but also bring a simple one-page summary that a busy adult can scan in under a minute.
That page should cover:
- usual symptoms of a low and a high
- where supplies will be stored
- how the child asks for help
- who can supervise treatment
- who is called first for routine issues and for emergencies
Clarify roles, not just goodwill
Ask direct questions:
- Who notices symptoms in class?
- Who can help with low treatment right away?
- Who handles PE, recess, bus loading, or end-of-day transitions?
- Who covers field trips and substitutes?
If the answer is fuzzy, the plan is not ready yet.
Cover the annoying real-life moments
Talk through:
- snack timing changes
- exams
- sports practice
- locked classroom doors
- device alarms during quiet rooms
- bathroom access
- whether the child carries supplies or keeps them in more than one place
If the school will be seeing shared CGM data, explain how you want people to use it. Trend arrows are useful, but they are not a substitute for a written plan or clinical instructions. This is where the article on reading CGM arrows without overcorrecting can help adults avoid improvising.
Leave with a written plan and the next review date
Do not end the meeting with “we should be fine.” End it with:
- the written plan
- named contacts
- storage locations
- a date to review what is not working
That review matters. The first version is rarely the tidy one.
The legal frame depends on region
This part changes by country and sometimes by school system. In the United States, families often end up dealing with Section 504 plans, ADA coverage, or other school accommodation processes. In the United Kingdom, schools are commonly expected to work from an individual healthcare plan and disability-related duties. Elsewhere, the labels differ, but the practical ask is similar: get the responsibilities written down and check local guidance.
This page is not legal advice. It is a preparation checklist. If diagnosis is still fresh, pair it with the first 48 hours guide so home and school do not get built as two separate systems.