Is this allowed?

[Erin1700]

There is a swim program run at the high school for all kids 8th grade and younger. The kids are bused fom elementary school to the pool which is on the same campus. So, the kids bring their swim bags to school with them and they stay in the classroom.

Today, DD7 told me her friend had to take 2 puffs before practice. I know the little girl has asthma so I figured out she meant an inhaler. Well, the mom sends it in her bag to use before swimming. So there is an inhaler in the classroom all day and no one knows about it.

Is it my business to say something? I would feel horrible if some other 2nd grader got a hold of it and also she is using it in the locker room not under anyone's supervision. Remember, these kids are 7 years old.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Personally I wouldn't think it is an issue. The kid needs it. At 7 I would imagine they aren't going to go in anyone's bag or use someone's meds. I would not say anything.
ETA- I also wouldn't worry about her using it w/out supervision. Chances are if she needs it bad enough to take to school then she know how to use it.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I don't know if I would say something, but it can't hurt. I would think that if it was put away, kids wouldn't touch it....


But that was before I started teaching. If it was in a supervised classroom, I would say that it wouldn't hurt to have it there, but I totally understand your concern with a kid going into the locker room unsupervised.

 

[LaraK]

As an asthmatic, I can tell you that I don't like to go anywhere without my inhaler. Certainly not to an indoor pool, which really does a number on your lungs...add the exercise and clorinated water together and you can get a big attack quickly. By seven, she probably is well aware of how to use the medication and when whe needs it. The good news is that it takes quite a few puffs to cause any kind of harm on someone else. You get a racing heart when you use a lot, but most kids wouldn't even be able to get the meds into their lungs correctly if they didn't know how to use the thing.

 

[disney1990]

I would not say anything. Some schools do not allow the children to keep the inhalers with them -- but in an emergency retrieving them from another location could be a real problem. If this child has grown up using an inhaler, she should be able to handle it herself.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

This isn't as bad as the EpiPen my DS10 found when he was in 3 year preK. They used to keep the kids extra clothing in tote bags hanging up in the room. DS3(at the time) got his off the hanger, brought it over to me, I looked inside and saw an EpiPen kit...He had the wrong bag, It belonged to another child there that had sever allergies.The idiots that ran the school had to know it was there in case they needed it, but chose to let it hang where all the 3 year olds were. Two problems: what if a kid found it and stuck himself with it, or worse..if that kid took it and put it somewhere else and then they needed it?

I called the mother of the allergic child and tattled on them.

I agree with above PPs, the child knows how to use it, I wouldn't say anything.

 

[Mkrop]

Maybe there is an asthma plan whre she is allowed to keep it on her vs keeping it in the nurse's office or with the swim school.

DS11 last year had his inhaler in the nurse's office (just started in May 08) and his Dr filled out an asthma plan and decided that DS was old enough to have it in his bookbag in class. His football coach has one in the medical bag so we dont need to bring it to each practice and game like we did his other sports. He also had permission via the Dr and his sports camps to have it on his person this summer.

 

[disykat]

Definitely not allowed if it's a school program. You aren't allowed to carry medication without the proper forms. My son wasn't allowed to carry his own meds at school until he was out of grade school. He's in high school and still has to have the new paperwork on file each year allowing him to carry his meds.

 

[jfulcer]

Check your school policy. DD11 still has to have her inhaler in the nurse's office and goes up there to use it before PE. They are very strick about having medications in the classroom.

If there is a school rule about it, I'd mention something to the teacher - she could get into trouble about it.

 

[marlynnp]

Definitely not allowed if it's a school program. You aren't allowed to carry medication without the proper forms. My son wasn't allowed to carry his own meds at school until he was out of grade school. He's in high school and still has to have the new paperwork on file each year allowing him to carry his meds.

I doubt the OP knows what forms have been filed. Unless she's the school nurse, principal or student's teacher, it's none of her business.

She can certainly call and tell them her concerns....

 

[Erin1700]

I doubt the OP knows what forms have been filed. Unless she's the school nurse, principal or student's teacher, it's none of her business.

She can certainly call and tell them her concerns....

Yes, I know that the child's medical plan is not my business. I do however know the school is very strict with medication.

I actually got a voicemail since I wrote this from another little girl in the class. The mom wanted to talk to me about the little girl with the meds. So I know I am at least not out of line in considering it a problem. Truthfully, I hope the other girls mom says she is going to call. I hate to tattle!

 

[Bopsmom]

There is a swim program run at the high school for all kids 8th grade and younger. The kids are bused fom elementary school to the pool which is on the same campus. So, the kids bring their swim bags to school with them and they stay in the classroom.

Today, DD7 told me her friend had to take 2 puffs before practice. I know the little girl has asthma so I figured out she meant an inhaler. Well, the mom sends it in her bag to use before swimming. So there is an inhaler in the classroom all day and no one knows about it.

Is it my business to say something? I would feel horrible if some other 2nd grader got a hold of it and also she is using it in the locker room not under anyone's supervision. Remember, these kids are 7 years old.

I don't think that it's anyone's business but the school, the child and child's parents.
I have a child with asthma(carrying an inhaler since 7yrs old) and it's tough to get them to take their meds because they don't want to be different. It would be worse having mothers call when she does take her medication.

In order for that child or my child to be carrying an inhaler we (parents) have had to fill out many forms for the school and have them approved by the doctor and the nurse. They are also taught not to let others touch or play with it and to put it away immediately after use.

The child carries it in her bag, uses it without "hiding it" which seems like another sign she has obtained permission. I think she seems to be responsible in the use of the inhaler and is mature enough to try to maintain her health and control on her condition. I think it would make the child feel awkward to have attention drawn to her condition and might prevent her from using it when she should.

Is there a problem with the other children going into people's bags without permission? That would be what would worry me, not a child using her medicine.

I think it's great that your daughter is compassionate and talked to you about her friend. Maybe she was concerned or wanted more information about asthma: that would be a teaching moment and to tell her to NEVER play with other people's medications.

Also, if you call the school you won't get anything but, "thank you for calling". There are strict HIPPA regulations that forbid disclosure of medical conditions or prescribed medications for everyone.
Actually, it might cause hard feelings or a MYOB attitude.

 

[CajunDixie]

Definitely not allowed if it's a school program. You aren't allowed to carry medication without the proper forms. My son wasn't allowed to carry his own meds at school until he was out of grade school. He's in high school and still has to have the new paperwork on file each year allowing him to carry his meds.

Every school is different I guess. Ours realizes that seconds count and sending a kid to the nurse's offices and hoping she's there won't cut it. So kids are allowed to carry their inhalers here.

Yes, I know that the child's medical plan is not my business. I do however know the school is very strict with medication.

I actually got a voicemail since I wrote this from another little girl in the class. The mom wanted to talk to me about the little girl with the meds. So I know I am at least not out of line in considering it a problem. Truthfully, I hope the other girls mom says she is going to call. I hate to tattle!

So what do you hope to accomplish by calling the school? Seven year olds do not necessarily need to be supervised in order to use their inhalers. In fact you're talking about a life threatening problem she has...do you really want her inhaler locked up somewhere that she doesn't have access to it? Sure the school nurse could keep it in their office....then the student doesn't have it at the pool. The teacher could keep it in their desk....still won't have it at the pool. The swim coach could keep it in their office....won't have it at school. Or hey maybe you could just give the poor kid $$$$$ so they can keep 4 inhalers all in different locked up places and replace them all when they expire.
OR you could just teach your own child that the other girl has a life threatening medical problem and that the inhaler is a medicine for the other girl only and should never be played with nor hidden from the other girl.

Put yourself in the other child's place...when you're sitting there gasping for a breath do you want to have to run to the nurse's office and possibly have to sit there for awhile gasping for air if the nurse is not in their office?

 

[IloveDMB]

First of all, should this little girl possibly be put into a medical emergency situation because you are afraid of your child going into other's people's belongings? Hmm, seems to me you're worried about the wrong child then.

Secondly, exactly what are you afraid of happening should another child get into the inhaler? Will they even know how to use it? Do you even know what an inhaled asthma medication does that you are so worried about it?

Please tell me what you think would happen to a child if they took the inhaler.

 

[Scornelius]

I'm sorry for being dense, but what is it you're worried about?

Is it that someone might steal her puffer? Or do you not like there being 'accessible' medication that someone could misuse? Depending on your concern, I have a few responses, but I don't want to be snippy if I don't have to be.

 

[disneymarie]

There is a swim program run at the high school for all kids 8th grade and younger. The kids are bused fom elementary school to the pool which is on the same campus. So, the kids bring their swim bags to school with them and they stay in the classroom.

Today, DD7 told me her friend had to take 2 puffs before practice. I know the little girl has asthma so I figured out she meant an inhaler. Well, the mom sends it in her bag to use before swimming. So there is an inhaler in the classroom all day and no one knows about it.

Is it my business to say something? I would feel horrible if some other 2nd grader got a hold of it and also she is using it in the locker room not under anyone's supervision. Remember, these kids are 7 years old.

We also transported to another school when I was in about 6th grade. I had an inhaler, a that time the teacher kept one and gave it to be before we left for swimming, class trips it went also.

Now when my dd was in elem. school the inhaler was at the nurses and before outings or trips it was given to the homeroom mom or teacher of the group. There are insturctions sent home about no medications, but I am not sure what goes on with inhalers. This could be life thretening if there is not one ASAP when you need it. It is called a rescue inhaler for a reason. The same thing with an EPI pen. I hope that they are kept nearby on the playground too, not run in and then look for the nurse and she out to lunch with the pen locked up...I would worry.
Part of my job, was understanding the epi pen and knowing if a child ahs one how to use that childs,

I know when I needed mine I needed it THEN, not oopps someone forgot it, where is it, I know it was here somewhere....I KNEW I had mine. Half my anxiety could be just not having it.
The swim coach must know that she has it....Maybe it returns to an adult at school when she returns for the next trip.
Dianne

 

[aprilgail2]

I would just tell my child not to touch the other childs inhaler and then mind my own business!!

 

[Talking Hands]

My daughter's pediatrician insisted that it be on her person. School tried to say it had to stay in the office and the doctor told them absolutely not. It was too far for her to go if she needed it. She also had to take 2 puffs before music because she plays viola and the rosin could cause an attack. Fortunately she's outgrown it.

 

[lulugirl]

I would just tell my child not to touch the other childs inhaler and then mind my own business!!

 

[JessicaR]

I would just tell my child not to touch the other childs inhaler and then mind my own business!!

This is my reaction too.

My reaction is based on my son needing his inhaler to breath.