Information for Schools

Celebrating Schools as Partners

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) wants to celebrate and recognize schools that are doing the "right" thing for students with diabetes.  

Schools are key partners in ensuring that students with diabetes have the same opportunities for health, learning, and normal growth and development as other students.  However, most school staff member are not diabetes experts. As a result, schools depend on the expertise of diabetes health care professionals and parents/guardian, and resources from ADA and other reliable sources to guide their policies and practices about how the needs of students with diabetes should be met in school settings. 

The ADA Safe at School Campaign has developed and distributed extensive resources to help families, their health care providers and schools work together to identify and provide the supports that students with diabetes need.  However, these resources are only a roadmap; they are not the journey or the destination. The journey can't begin without well-informed and supportive school staff members who come together in true collaboration with families and their health care providers to best meet the needs of the individual student with diabetes. 

ADA has established the Safe at School Superstars Program as a way to acknowledge and celebrate school communities whose policies, practices and protocols align with ADA Safe at School Principles, as follows:  

1. All school staff members should have basic knowledge of diabetes and know who to contact for help.
2. School nurse is the coordinator of care, and a small group of school staff members have been trained to perform all diabetes care tasks when the school nurse is not available during the school day, at before-and after-school activities, on the bus, and on field  trips.
3. Students who are able to do so are permitted to provide self-care anywhere, anytime.

Why seek recognition by the Safe at School Superstars Program?

• Reinforces Community Values, Spirit, Pride and Trust.   Schools who are have made the commitment to implement ADA Safe at School principles have every right to be proud of their achievement.  It shows a commitment to values that schools embrace, such as equality, inclusion, parent engagement, lifelong learning. 
  
  In addition, it is a reflection of true community spirit in assuming shared responsibility for the health and learning of all students with diabetes. Both self-sufficiency and interdependence are important life lessons for students with diabetes.  By encouraging self-management as according to the individual child's ability and skill set while also providing a safety net of trained school personnel who can provide care when a school nurse is not available, schools will help students take responsibility for their care, while also being realistic about their vulnerabilities.
  
  In making a public declaration of their commitment to Safe at School Principles, the school will build pride and trust that children with diabetes will continue to be supported in the future.

• Support for Individual Contributors.  The primary focus of the award is on how the school community works together to provide support for students with diabetes.  However, in many cases one or two individuals who have taken a lead role in ensuring that the needs of students with diabetes are met. Schools are full of "unsung heroes" - the secretary who helps with insulin dosing, the coach who learns to give an emergency glucagon injection.  Recognition can help celebrate their contributions.  These persons will receive recognition from the ADA as an individual "Partner in Care."

•  Visible Sign of Excellence.  When a school is recognized for having made a commitment to policies, practices, and protocols that are consistent with ADA Safe at School Principles, it not only heralds the achievement of one school, but can help to raise general awareness about the challenges facing students with diabetes, and serve as an exemplar to other schools. 

What schools are eligible to be recognized? 

Any elementary or secondary school (public, private or charter school) within the pilot state whose enrollment includes at least one student with diabetes is eligible for consideration.

How can schools apply?

Applications will are available online at:
http://www.coloradokidswithdiabetes.org/index.php/Safe-at-School/
Application deadline is March 1, 2010. (Note application deadline has been extended from previous date.)

How will chosen schools be recognized?  For how long?

Chosen schools will be recognized year-by-year. For example, if a school is recognized in 2010 it will be included in our list of "ADA 2010 Safe Schools." Schools may re-apply annually.

How will schools be recognized?

National recognition will include:

• Annual Diabetes Forecast article that recognizes "ADA Safe at School Superstars".
• Featured in list of "ADA Safe at School Superstars" on ADA website.
• Letter of congratulations and certificate.

In addition to national recognition, schools will be recognized within a public venue and in the local media by their local ADA market.  Local recognition will vary, depending upon market-specific opportunities and resources.

Who should submit, initiate, and complete the application materials?

Submitting the application materials is meant to be a joint effort among involved constituents, which should include:

• Students and parents/guardians
• School nurses
• Other school staff (teachers, support staff, administrators)

Because the submitted materials must reflect the overall school or school district (and not just the experience of one student), it is important that the application process involves those who are most knowledgeable about and responsible for system polices, practices, and protocols. 

The nominator who completes the application form does not have to be a school staff member (e.g., might be a parent/guardian or diabetes health care professional.) However, to support the integrity of the application and the accuracy of responses, the completed form must be reviewed and verified by the signatures and accompanying recommendation letters of at least one parent and one school administrator.