Allergies and Asthma at School

Resources for Parents and Schools

Children spend most of their time at school for nine months of the year. If they have asthma or allergies, these conditions need to be managed in school just like at home. Parents, students and school staff must work together so that children are safe and healthy and can focus on learning.

Parents and school staff, including teachers and the school nurse, must have clear lines of communication. Children will need to learn age-appropriate communication skills to ensure school staff can respond to emergencies. Adolescents and teens will need to develop self-management skills – but also know when to seek help.

Managing children with asthma and food allergies must be a priority at school. These are life-threatening conditions. We developed the resources in this school section for both parents and school staff. Download and print out our infographics, care plans and checklists. Our resources can help ensure a safe and healthy school year for children with asthma and allergies.

Asthma at School

Asthma at School for Parents ➡

Asthma at School for School Staff ➡

Allergies at School

Allergies at School for Parents ➡

Allergies at School for
School Staff ➡

COVID-19 Recommendations for Back to School ➡

Adult taking young child with backpack into school

Asthma at school for parents

Asthma at school for parents offers practical information on how parents can prepare to send their child with asthma to school.

  • Basic facts about asthma
  • What parents should plan for before the first day of the school year
  • What parents should communicate with the school if there’s a change in their child’s condition during the school year
  • What parents should plan for at the end of the school year
  • How to track my student’s asthma and better understand inhaler use
  • When to keep your child home from school
  • What children need to know about asthma
  • What asthma symptoms should your child immediately bring to the attention of the teacher
  • What types of care plans are there at school and which one should you ask for
  • What parents should know about asthma and sports in school
  • What is the September Asthma Peak?
  • What is the school’s responsibility for reducing asthma triggers at school?
  • Get answers to frequently asked questions about asthma at school

Teacher writing report

Asthma at school for school staff

Asthma at school for school staff offers practical information on how school staff can care for children with asthma.

  • How do schools deal with students with asthma?
  • Do schools need an asthma policy?
  • Asthma management and school health services
  • Simple protocols for asthma at school
  • What are asthma signs and symptoms?
  • How to plan for students with asthma at the beginning of the school year?
  • How to develop an asthma management program during the school year?
  • What should the school or school nurse do at the end of the school year?
  • Asthma training and education for schools
  • What Asthma Action Plan is best for use at school?
  • Get answers to frequently asked questions about asthma at school

Photo of Asian mom bending down to help her child with her shoes. The tween child is on her way to school.

Allergies at school for parents

Allergies at school for parents offers practical information on how to send a child with allergies to school. It covers food, environmental and latex allergies.

  • Should I send my child to school with allergies?
  • What types of allergies need managing at school?
  • What should be included on a school allergy planning checklist?
  • How to prepare before the school year begins and for during the school year?
  • What are key points for parents to discuss with school staff and their child?
  • Questions and answers on allergy policies in schools (Q&A)
  • Questions and answers on food allergy in school (Q&A)
  • Questions and answers on latex allergy in school (Q&A)
  • Questions and answers on environmental allergies at schools (Q&A)

 

School nurse smiling with young student in nurses office at school.

Allergies at school for school staff

Allergies at school for school staff offers practical information on how schools can prepare to care for children with food, environmental and latex allergies.

  • What does a school allergy policy address?
  • Questions and answers for school allergy planning (Q&A)
  • Managing food allergies in the school setting
  • Questions and answers on food allergies in school (Q&A)
  • Food allergy questions and concerns
  • How to manage latex allergies in school?
  • What should be part of an environmental allergies school management plan?

 

A line of children with backpacks excitedly running towards their school

School health resources

Get general educational resources about asthma and allergies. These include specific resources for parents and school staff.

  • Asthma at school posters, tip sheets, videos and more
  • Allergy at school posters, tip sheets, videos and more
  • COVID-19 resources

 

Line of yellow school buses

COVID-19 recommendations for back to school

The COVID-19 recommendations is a compilation of answers to your questions about COVID-19 for schools.

  • What is the role of the school nurse in developing plans for preventing and managing COVID-19 in the school setting?
  • Are there any recommendations regarding ventilation in schools with consideration for students and staff with asthma and/or allergies?
  • Should school staff be trained on signs and symptoms of COVID-19?
  • How is food service to be handled when schools reopen?
  • How should school health offices prepare for when schools reopen?
  • Are people with asthma more at risk from COVID-19?
  • What kind of precautions should a student or staff member with asthma take as they prepare to return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • Should a child or staff member who is coughing from asthma and/or allergies be forced to go home?
  • Are disinfectants and hand sanitizers safe for students or staff with asthma?
  • What COVID-19 face mask policies should be in place in schools?
  • Should masks be worn by people with asthma?
  • What are potential complications for children and COVID-19?