504 Plans

Who handles the 504 plans at your school? As a first year school nurse, there was a lot I didn't know I didn't know (and still don't!). But I was almost completely hands off of the 504 plans. I'm thinking next year, I want to be more involved in them.

So, how much do you do in terms of creation, planning, maintaining, etc.?

Be careful what you wish for...

Be careful what you wish for...

I know, I know! It's a scary thought!

But they have no idea what they're doing in regards to medical issues! They put in a temporary provision that allowed a student with a broken arm give verbal answers to tests/assignments and then left that provision in there after the next meeting when his arm was no longer broken. And the student has then continued to abuse that privilege.

i only get my hands wet, damp if you will, with the 504s that are medical - but i mean like really medical. Meaning not necessarily the scores of ADHD diagnoses that want extra time and testing accommodations. But the Diabetic that needs extra time or the migraine sufferer that should be granted a dress code exception to wear sunglasses in doors or hemophiliac child that required humidifier in class - yes. Those i am interested in.

Our district health coordinator (my boss) does them. I too, thought I wanted to get more involved with them, until I saw what all they consisted of. I will get the appropriate md orders together but then I gladly hand that over to her.

My school counselor does them, but does occasionally ask my input. By the time the students get to me in 5th grade, their plan is well-established and there are rarely any changes from previous years.

They can be a pain in the butt. Some are completely legit! Some? meh.

I sat in for a few at my old school. Mostly allergies and seizure kids. At my current district the certified nurses do them. That is the next step in my education so I plan to be quite involved in them once that's done (but the certified nurses do not have a building of students to attend to).

So, I'm hearing, enjoy that they're not my responsibility, and just try to get in on a few meetings if I really want to be involved. Got it! :)

My son has a 504 for ADHD. No need, in my opinion, for his meetings.

Im getting a student next year with CF who will have a 504. I'll be in on that one, for sure.

Unless it's a more complex medical issue, there's really no need for me to be involved.

My son has a 504 for ADHD. No need, in my opinion, for his meetings.

Im getting a student next year with CF who will have a 504. I'll be in on that one, for sure.

Unless it's a more complex medical issue, there's really no need for me to be involved.

Agreed! Unless it is something that will require ongoing or emergency intervention from a nurse, no need for us to be there, right? ADHD will not need daily assessment and there aren't acute exacerbations

The acting VP (who was Athletic director last year) is in charge of 504's this year. Yeah, it's not going so well

I have always been involved in 504s. Not all the nurses in my district have been in the past. However, this year we got new training information about converting our life threatening kiddos to 504s....all of them.

The way it looks is OFFERING a 504. I have had parents decline but I document that I offered that to them. This year alone I have created about 15, 504s just for life threatening. I have been involved with the counselor in creating 3/4 others. Is it a lot of work initially? Yes, but manageable throughout the year. It's not a daily ongoing thing. I try to make it to the meetings of others but I only work 3 days a so I will get a copy of the plan and follow up with the counselor if need be. I try to always take the team approach and get involved as much as possible.

I have a health room assistant who will see kids so that helps. Of course kids come to me for help all day long and I meet with a few everyday I'm there, so I'm not just sitting at my desk, I work in spurts to get it done!

I know we have different things on our plate but 504s are not terribly painful to formulate!

Go to a meeting sometime? If not just check it out and talk to your counselor. In my district we try to really emphasis a team approach and that team is counselor, nurse, admin, teacher, and parents. That's how we try to work it the majority of the time!