SADS School Checklist
Back to School Checklist for Students With SADS Conditions
Make sure you do the following to help your school environment be as safe as possible for your SADS child.
Ask to meet with the principal, school nurse, psychologist and 504 plan people. At the meeting:
We have many care plans that are specifically designed for a child with a SADS condition. Please let us know if you need a care plan for your child that is not on the list.
___ 1. Develop an Individualized School Health Care Plan for your child. This plan may also be called a 504 plan or another name but, no matter what it’s called, it should include everything on our recommended plan. To develop the plan:
- Take our plan to your child’s physician to complete the activities, etc. OR
- Work with your school nurse to complete the plan—using your knowledge of your child’s condition and your doctor’s recommendations OR
- Fill out the plan yourself and take it to the meeting
___ 2. To ensure that your child’s Individualized School Health Care Plan is in place and working, verify the following:
- Who is responsible for receiving the plan (the principle, school nurse)?
- Where is the care plan housed (In a file, binder, etc.)?
- Who is responsible for implementing the plan, if needed?
- How does the school train staff regarding the existence and implementation of individual care plans?
- Ensure the plan includes the buddy system for your child everywhere they go.
___ 3. Make a plan to ensure that all above recommendations are in place.
- Ensure that all staff has a picture of your child.
- Offer to provide training in existing staff meetings etc.
- Speak directly to all staff that deal with your student (lunch room and playground aides, coaches or PE teachers, break out teachers, etc.).
___ 4. Is your school “heart-safe”
- If the answer is YES, you are done!
- If the answer is NO:
- Ask the principal to look at the school’s Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, and ask whether all staff are trained on their role.
- Check to see if the school has an AED, a plan for the use of the AED and whether all appropriate staff is trained to use an AED.
If you feel like your school is not able to provide a safe environment and need additional help, call appropriate personnel at the school district level. They will often advocate for your child, and educate you regarding the federal law pertaining to a child with a disability (of which a cardiac diagnosis is) and your educational rights.