Teacher/Home Room Supervisor Peak Performance Actions
- Know the early warning signs of an asthma episode, and have a copy of each student’s Asthma Action Plan. Review the plan, based on peak flow, with the school nurse or designated school health coordinator, student, and parents. Know what to do in case an asthma episode occurs.
- Develop a procedure with both the student and parent for school work missed due to an asthma episode.
- If a student is not feeling right—for example is feeling drowsy or tired, or his or her behavior is different—notify the school nurse. The school nurse will consult the student’s Asthma Action Plan, assess the student, and take appropriate actions.
- Know the potential side effects of asthma medications and how side effects may affect the student’s classroom performance. Refer any problem to the school nurse and parent(s). Some side effects of medicine that warrant referral are nervousness, nausea, jitteriness, hyperactivity and drowsiness.
- Reduce identified asthma triggers in the classroom—chalk dust, flowering plants, laboratory animals, and strong odors (colored markers, crafts/ paint, perfumes, chemicals or cleaning solvents)—to help students who have allergies.
- Encourage students with asthma to participate fully in physical activities. Allow them to adjust their activities if they are recovering from an episode.
- Help students with asthma feel more comfortable with their illness.
- Educate classmates about asthma so they will be more understanding and supportive of students with asthma.
- Avoid creating a stigma of asthma by treating the student the same as you would any other student.
- Keep student files secure and confidential.
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