The new school year is coming. We are still unsure if sending my sister to school this year would be a good idea. She got diagnosed this year and we might opt for online school. How are other parents dealing with this topic? Are you planing on sending your diabetic child to school with the virus going on? Advice would be appreciated.
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Hi Alexa @arodric5002, I’m probably NOT the type “parent with a child going to school” from whom you want suggestions; my daughter is in her 50’s and is going back to school - she did teach the summer session. She does have an extremely vulnerable-to-infection body and the word she uses is “CAUTION”. She’s a university instructor, also a student, and medical research scientist.
I do suggest, Alexa, that you very closely research what precautions your daughter’s School District has in place, and if your daughter would benefit more by attending in-person classes, or if you assisted her with home-learning. Keep in mind, that a person with well-managed diabetes should not be more at-risk than any other child; “Immune System”, and Autoimmune System" - TypeOneDiabetes, are not the same thing.
I hope that many parents who must als make this very critical decision, and also some of the many students on this site, will offer you suggestions on what they have found to be critical. The COVID Climate is different from area to area, and from School District to School District, so please let these factors weigh heavily on you decision. I’m thankful that right now, I only need to make decisions that affect me - and my decision is for me to stay away from every one I can.
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My daughter is 3 and a type 1 diabetic she won’t be going to school but she does have several siblings of school age. I have chosen to have them learn from home due to the high risk. I feel that its the safest decision for my family. I don’t believe are children understand the severity of the situation we are all in due to this virus and I believe by keeping them at home can help keep everyone safer.
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Hi. Alexa, My son Levi is 22 and will be teaching band this year as a type 1 diabetic at one of the local high schools. I was concerned but I know that he will be wearing his masks and making sure the students do the same. He has been basically staying home unless to go get groceries. How old is your sister? My son was 2 years old when he got diagnosed. But I can remember some of the difficulties I had when he began school. I was a nervous wreck in regular times let alone Covid times. I don’t want to tell your parents what to do but ultimately it is there decision but maybe since she was diagnosed this might be the best time for her to do online school. It will give your parents peace of mind and she will not feel different from the other students because many parents have made the same choice for their children. I admire that you are such a caring sister that you would reach out to this community for other people’s opinions.
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Hi Alexia,my daughter got diagnosed in March and I am so anxious about sendings her back to school in September.I come from a place called Leicester in the UK that has been put back in lockdown due to the virus so we have not been doing a lot . I think I’m just gonna ask my diabetes team and see what they come up with .The most important thing is keeping your sister safe. I hope this helps Hayley
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Thank you, that was really good advice. I greatly appreciate it
Thank you, good thinking. I do agree with you. If more people are able to stay at home, the virus could potentially die faster.
Thank you for your kind words. My sister just turned 11. In fact she got diagnosed the same month that she turned 11. It has only been a few months since she was diagnosed. Maybe because of her age it might be a better option to do online school. However, the school that she is supposed to be attending has a really good plan. But as someone has already mentioned, if more people stay at home, the virus could potentially die sooner. But your opinion definitely helps.
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This definitely does help. And I definitely do understand how you feel. My sister got diagnosed in April and my parents and I are super anxious about the idea of her going back to school as well. I don’t want to tell you what to do but since you did mention that you had to go into a lockdown, I would lean more towards online school. But it’s going to be your choice. In the county where we live there hasn’t been a crazy outbreak, but we do live in the US, where there are tons and tons of cases. Although the school makes it seem as they are being super careful, there are going to be a lot of kids going to the same school. So there is a chance that someone could catch the virus. But thank you, your opinion does help.
I am praying for your sister and your family that you all will make the right decision for this crazy situation. Keep being on your sister’s side. My final advice is that she will be getting a lot of attention from your parents. Please know that it’s not that they love her more than you, it’s just they have to monitor her more closely. Your sister is going to wish they would leave her alone with all the diabetes stuff. My older sons like took it out on my youngest because he was getting all this attention from me. It didn’t matter that I was giving him shots with that attention…lol It’s very difficult as a parent to balance it all out, their attention when they are trying to figure things out with her insulin etc. I feel that you are already the kind of sister that will support her just by reaching out. Take care!
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Thank you so much. 
I understand that my sister has to have more attention due to her situation. But thanks for your very kind words. Have a wonderful day!!! I appreciate that you took the time to respond. 
No problem, btw, how old are you if you don’t mind me asking? I am just curious of the age difference between you and your sister.
This is such a personal and difficult decision to make this year. I too was very worried about sending my 6 year old back to school. She’ll be in 1st grade. But after many conversations with her Endo and pediatrician and after also listening to jdrf webinars with experts discussing the topic, we’ve made the decision to send her back, once the state deems it safe for schools to reopen (we’re in California). Type 1s with good control have low risk and good outcomes with Covid infection. And I know my daughter doesn’t do well with distance learning at this age. But as I said, it’s a very personal decision! Best of luck to you both 
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Hi Alexa,
My 12 yr old son was diagnosed in early June and we’re struggling with the same decision. During our last visit with the nurse practitioner, she said she has no reservations about T1s going back to school. We are, however, going to see a new Endo tomorrow.
I did find some comfort in some of the replies to your question, regarding good blood glucose control and risk or lack thereof as compared to other children. So, thanks for asking!
Our district is going back to a hybrid opening with two days in school and two days home learning. I thought the lesser days in school would be a good way for him to get used to the school routine, but I still worry about his overall safety and as I type, I’m not sure what we’re going to decide.
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I wish the best to you and your daughter as well as your family. I hope all goes well and that your daughter will have an excellent school year with no risks
Whatever decision you make, I wish with all of my heart that it’ll be the right one. It’s a very tough and risky decision. I hope that you are able to make the best decision for you and your son. Please keep me updated on your decision.
Our endo told us currently Type 1 children with good blood glucose control are at no different risk than a “normal” child. He would be more concerned if our son was Type 2. Everything affects blood glucose. Our son’s passion is ice hockey and he is back on the ice. His blood glucose is so much harder to control if he is not exercising and doing what he loves. Mental health & physical health are so important.
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My daughter is 16 years old. The school in my town are letting people pick what they want to do put there kids in school or do it from home. For my daughter I’m going to have her do it from home not just for the virus but the school here dont do anything about the bullying in the school. So I’m going to keep her from going back into that school so I’ll be having her do school from home.
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