Free T1D Teacher Letter
A Quick Note About __________ + Type 1 Diabetes
__________ has Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease that destroyed the insulin-producing cells in their pancreas. They use technology to continuously monitor their glucose and replace the insulin their body no longer produces. Most days, their diabetes management may require very little involvement from you. We simply want the adults around them to recognize when they need to take care of themselves and know how to respond if they ever need help.
Their phone & smartwatch are medical equipment.
__________ wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that tracks their glucose 24/7. Their phone receives that information and may also communicate with an insulin pump, which delivers insulin. Their smartwatch may display glucose readings and receive CGM data directly as a backup.
You may hear an alarm.
Routine diabetes notifications are silenced during school when possible. Urgent/emergent alerts still sound and may require immediate attention.
T1D doesn't restrict what they can eat.
__________ can eat the same foods as everyone else and takes insulin accordingly. They may also need to eat during class to manage their blood sugar.
If they say they need the nurse, they need to go.
__________ has a standing nurse pass/accommodation. If they tell you they need to go to the nurse for their diabetes, they are letting you know, not asking permission. Please do not ask them to wait until the end of class or for a more convenient time.
The exception is a significant LOW blood sugar.
__________ carries fast-acting carbohydrates to treat lows. If they are significantly low or symptomatic, they should stay where they are, treat the low, and wait 10–15 minutes rather than walking to the nurse while impaired. Someone should then accompany them to the nurse once it is safe to do so. *Please see Page 2: Understanding the Numbers for a quick reference on glucose levels and signs of hypoglycemia.
Classroom Rules Still Matter
__________ understands that your classroom is “your house” and is expected to respect your rules. Sometimes their medical needs must override normal classroom policies, including access to their phone, smartwatch, food, drinks, restroom, or the nurse.
They also understand these areaccommodations, not loopholes. If you have concerns about them abusing an accommodation, please reach out to us.
__________ has a 504 Plan/individual school diabetes plan, and the nurse's office is familiar with their diabetes management and has backup supplies.
Please consider keeping a copy of this letter and Page 2 with your substitute plans. A substitute may not know that a phone or smartwatch is medical equipment, eating in class may be medically necessary, or the student has permission to leave for the nurse.
Finally, __________ is private about having T1D and may not share their medical information with peers. We appreciate your discretion.
Thank you for helping them have a safe, normal, and hopefully uneventful school year!
Parent/Guardian: __________________________ Phone: __________________
Parent/Guardian: __________________________ Phone: __________________
Understanding the Numbers — A Quick Type 1 Diabetes Reference
CGM and blood glucose readings are measured in mg/dL. Glucose can change quickly, so the number and the direction it is moving both matter.
70–180 mg/dL: Generally In Range
This is the standard target range for many people with T1D. Usually, no action from you is needed. The student will continue managing their diabetes normally.
Below 70 mg/dL: LOW
A glucose below 70 is considered hypoglycemia and needs to be treated promptly with fast-acting carbohydrates.
The student may treat before reaching 70 if their CGM shows glucose dropping quickly. Please allow them to do so.
Below 54 mg/dL: VERY LOW — This requires immediate attention.
The student should stay where they are and treat the low rather than walking to the nurse while impaired. After treating and waiting approximately 10–15 minutes, someone should accompany them to the nurse when it is safe to move.
Signs of hypoglycemia may include:
Shaking or sweating
Dizziness or weakness
Confusion or difficulty concentrating
Irritability or unusual behavior
Difficulty communicating clearly
Poor coordination
Seizures or loss of consciousness in severe cases
If the student is unable to safely treat themselves, has a seizure, becomes unconscious, or requires assistance to treat the low, follow their diabetes emergency plan immediately.
Above 180 mg/dL: HIGH
This is above the usual target range, but a high glucose reading by itself is not automatically an emergency.
The student may need to:
Take insulin
Drink water
Use the restroom
Check their diabetes devices
Visit the nurse
250 mg/dL or Higher: Needs Additional Attention
At this level, the student's individual plan may call for additional insulin, hydration, ketone testing, or a visit to the nurse.
Persistent high glucose, particularly when accompanied by moderate/large ketones, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid/deep breathing, or significant illness, requires prompt attention according to the student's diabetes medical plan.
One Last Thing- Thank You!
Thank you for taking the time to read all of this and learn a little more about Type 1 Diabetes. This may be something you only encounter for one school year, but your willingness to understand it makes a very real difference to our family.
We are incredibly thankful for your partnership and for the peace of mind that comes from knowing our kiddo is surrounded by adults who are a little more prepared, a little more knowledgeable, and better equipped to help if they're ever needed.
Most days, we hope you won't need any of this information at all. But knowing that you have it means more to us than you probably realize.
Thank you for helping us keep our kid safe while still letting them just be a kid.
