504's and OHI's

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/25/2003 6:51:23 PM Eastern Standard Time,

kimpayne@... writes:

>

> But remember, teachers are underpaid so if you can afford to tote a

> jug or two of water to the class (and tissues!), especially as warm

> weather and allergy season approaches, then bless you!

>

Thank you for the reminder!!!

Rosemary from New York with 3 children with CF -

they are 12.5, 10, 6......

I coined the phrase " BREATHE DAMMIT " ; we have a dog we named -are you ready

for this - TOBI after their medication!!! At least it wasn't albuterol or

Coly...

[Guest guest]

Maybe the following link will help as you update (or plan your first)

504/OHI for next fall.

It's an article entitled " Back-to-School with CF " and was published in

the Fall 1999 edition of CF Life, the Ortho-McNeil CF newsletter.

Pssst... I'm the author; that's how I know about the article. :-)

http://www.cfcare.com/news/cf_life/fall99/page7.htm

By the way, I know a mom in California who has twin daughters with CF.

She has it written into their 504 that the janitor will wipe down

desks daily (or maybe it's weekly?) with a bleach solution.

However, if you REALLY, REALLY want to cut down on students passing

around germs, buddy up to the teacher and learn her classroom

management style. I'm all for learning to share -- to a point. But I

draw the line at students having common cups for holding pencils,

crayons, scissors, rulers, etc. If there are enough rulers and

scissors for each child, then for Pete's sake, label the item and the

kid keeps it in their desk. The same for pencils, pens, and crayon

boxes -- they get labeled and kept in each child's desk so no one is

writing with a pencil previously chewed or sneezed on by someone else.

One more thing -- many teachers (including me) let all students keep

water bottles at their desks. This is an EXCELLENT idea. Why? Because

1) you're not singling out the child with CF, and

2) the other students are using the water fountain, getting strep

throat and introducing it into the classroom. Many cases of strep come

from those dadgum drinking fountains.

I worked with a teacher last week and noticed she keeps a totable jug

of water in her classroom. When the students are thirsty, they get a

paper cup and dispense their own water. Very cool.

But remember, teachers are underpaid so if you can afford to tote a

jug or two of water to the class (and tissues!), especially as warm

weather and allergy season approaches, then bless you!

Kim

Mom of (23 1/2 with cf and asthma) and (20 asthma no cf)