Asthma Advocate Activity at Noah Webster Academy

This post is a report from Kaylee and Sierra, Asthma Advocates who conducted an asthma education activity at Noah Webster Academy.
 
We taught a 6th grade class about asthma. We gave them all Dusty the Goldfish books to help them test their knowledge learned. For the presentation, we brought pictures we had printed out of triggers for asthma. We also used the foam (bronchial) tubes to show the difference between a healthy normal airway and an asthmatic airway. Then, we had the students interact in the straw activity. Two of the students in the classroom had asthma; one was exercise-induced, and the other was trigger-induced. The one had an inhaler that the secretary held on to if she needed it. We gave the teacher self-administration forms for the students to carry their inhalers. Overall, the class and the teacher loved our presentation. It took about 15 minutes to do all of these things and it went great!

To view the PDF version of the Dusty the Asthma Goldfish funbook go to http://www.epa.gov/asthma/publications.html

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.
 

Asthma Resources for Schools

School Staff Asthma Training: Asthma School Resource Manual 

This is a 15-20 minute presentation for school staff (including teachers, administrators, secretaries, custodians, etc.) that covers asthma basics and what to do in case of an asthma attack.  Each staff member is given a laminated protocol to place in their classroom that gives step by step procedures for what to do in case of an asthma attack.

What is the Advocate’s role?

Asthma Advocates would advertise the program to school principals.  If they express interest in having their staff trained, the Advocate would contact Kellie (kabaxter@utah.gov) to schedule the training.  As an Asthma Advocate you do not need to give the presentation to school staff, you just need to work with Kellie to schedule the training. 

Open Airways

This is a program run through American Lung Association (ALA).  It is designed for children ages 8-11 who have been diagnosed with asthma.  Open Airways consists of six 40-minute lessons which help children learn to better manage their asthma.

What is the Advocate’s role?

Asthma Advocates would advertise the program to school nurses and/or principals.  If they express interest in having an Open Airways class at their school, the Advocate would contact Brittney Urban (801-931-6993 or burban@lungutah.org) at ALA to schedule the classes.  As an Asthma Advocate you do not need to teach the Open Airways classes, you just need to work with Brittney to schedule the classes.  ALA will take care of everything once the classes are scheduled.

Winning with Asthma

This is a 20-minute online program primarily geared towards PE teachers and coaches.  It discusses asthma basics and what to do in case of an asthma attack.  When someone completes the program they receive a clipboard and additional asthma resources through the mail.

What is the Advocate’s role?

Asthma Advocates would advertise the program to school nurses, principals, coaches, community athletic directors, or anyone else associated with youth athletics.  Send them to the website http://www.winningwithasthma.org/ to complete the program.