Creating Asthma Friendly Schools

This section was developed to support school boards and schools with the implementation of the requirements set out in Ryan’s Law (Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools), 2015, and Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) No. 161: Supporting Children and Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions (Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes, and/or Epilepsy) in Schools, 2018.

Creating and maintaining asthma friendly school environments demonstrates a school’s commitment to the safety, well-being, and achievement of all students, as well as assisting them in reaching their full potential.

School Board Policy Requirements

Ryan’s Law (Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools) came into effect on May 5, 2015. The legislation requires:

  • every school board in the province to develop an asthma policy;
  • schools to develop an individual plan for every student with asthma; and
  • schools to allow students to carry their inhalers (parent(s)/guardian(s) permission is required for those under 16 years of age).

The Ontario Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) No. 161: Supporting Children and Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions (Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes, and/or Epilepsy) in Schools, 2018, requires:

  • school boards in Ontario to have a policy or policies to support students who have anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, and/or epilepsy; and
  • principals to meet with parent(s)/guardian(s), school staff supporting the student, and student (if age-appropriate) to complete and communicate the individualized Plan of Care, which includes information on the student’s medication, indications for its use, and where it is kept, daily management, and triggers.

Check with your local public health unit, as they may be able to assist in the policy development/review process.

Note: it is important for principals/teachers to know and understand their responsibilities identified in their school board’s policy.

Refer to Ryan’s Law and PPM 161 video for more information on Ryan’s Law and PPM 161.

Plan of Care

A Plan of Care is an individualized document that outlines the necessary support and emergency response strategies for a student with a medical condition. The plan is designed to:  

  • promote student safety and well-being;  
  • help principals, school staff, students, and parent(s)/guardian(s) understand their roles and collective responsibilities; and
  • facilitate communication and collaboration between the school and family.

School board policies should include obtaining parental consent in the individual Plan of Care prior to sharing student health information with school staff or other students (in compliance with applicable privacy legislation).

At a minimum the Plan of Care should include:

  • Access to the Plan of Care: Identification of individuals who will have access to the Plan of Care.
  • Prevention Strategies: Strategies that reduce the risk of exposure to triggers or causative agents in classrooms and common areas.  
  • Student Participation in School Activities: Information on how to support or accommodate the child/youth to enable participation to their full potential in all activities (for example, field trips, overnight excursions, sporting events).
  • Student’s Prescribed Medication and Medical Supplies
    • Parental permission for a student to carry medication/supplies (Note: For students aged 16 years or older, parent(s)/guardian(s) permission is not required)
    • Location of spare medication/supplies
    • Information on safe disposal of medication/supplies
  • Routine or Daily Management
    • Activities and who they are to be performed by (as outlined in policy/procedures)
    • Accommodation needs (e.g., space, access to food)
  • Emergency Information
    • Identification of symptoms (emergency and other) and response, should a medical incident occur
    • Emergency contact information  
    • Information on the school board's emergency policy and procedure  
  • Communication
    • Between the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the principal and/or school/child care staff as appropriate, including the format and frequency of communication
    • Parental consent to share information on signs and symptoms with other students
    • Notes and instructions from a student’s health care professional

If you have concerns about a child’s/youth’s level of asthma control:

  • talk to the parent(s)/guardian(s) or student (if age-appropriate) and let them know what you are observing; and
  • recommend that parent(s)/guardian(s) follow up with a health care provider.

Resources

Videos:  

E-Learning Modules:

Documents: