Meeting with the PTA

Some ideas to consider if meeting with PTA members:

·         Contact the person in charge of the PTA newsletter at your assigned schools

o   Ask to include information about asthma and asthma resources in the newsletter

o   Write a sample of what you would like to be included in the newsletter and e-mail it to them

·         Visit the PTA monthly board meeting to discuss asthma resources available to the school and possible activities

o   Open Airways

o   Asthma School Resource Manual Training

o   Winning With Asthma

·         Send home parent information packets including:

o  Dusty the Asthma Goldfish activity book 

o   Idle-free campaign information

 http://www.idlefree.utah.gov/index.htm

o    Asthma-friendly cleaning supplies

·         Ask if the PTA would be willing to let you do an asthma activity at field day

o   Relay races including asthma facts

o   Capture the flag with asthma education

o   Red light green light with asthma triggers

Meeting with School Nurses

What could I discuss with them?

·         Discuss the school inhaler law in Section 5 of the Asthma Advocate Packet

o   Are they familiar with this law?

o   Do their schools implement this law?

o   Roughly what percentage of students with asthma turn in the required form and self-administer asthma medications?

o  What problems, if any, have nurses and schools encountered while implementing this law?

o   If students are not allowed to carry their inhaler with them, where is their medication usually stored?  Who is responsible for administering their medication?

o   Any concerns they have regarding self-administration of asthma medication

·          Winning With Asthma

o   Explain the basics of the program

o   Have them e-mail the link to the PE teachers and coaches in the schools they work in

·         Resource packet for students with asthma

o   Compile a packet of resources that are available for students with asthma (Camp Wyatt brochure, Dusty the Asthma Goldfish booklets, Quest for the Code video game, etc.) 

o   Explain the contents of the resource packet and ask the nurse if he/she would be willing to send a packet home with children who have asthma

·         Asthma School Resource Manual Training

o   Explain the school staff Asthma School Resource Manual Training to the school nurse and ask if he/she would be willing to talk with their principals to schedule a training

·         Open Airways

o   Ask if they are familiar with the program.  If not, explain the program and ask if it is something they would be willing to implement in their schools

What could I distribute to them?

·         Winning With Asthma fliers

·         Camp Wyatt brochures for their asthmatic students

·         Open Airways fliers

Asthma Activities for Children

Here are some relaxation techniques that are taught in American Lung Association's Open Airways program.  You can teach and practice these relaxation exercises as an activity with children.

Visit http://www.lungutah.org/Asthma_Schools.htm  for more information on Open Airways.