School Nurse Handbook

The purpose of this booklet is to describe sickle cell disease (SCD) and identify roles for teachers, other school staff and parents/caregivers to support students living with SCD. We identify ways SCD may impact a student’s daily life and describe how school staff can make accommodations (i.e., adjustments to the classroom setting or instruction) to meet the needs of children who may experience health problems associated with SCD during the school day.

The content covers information on ways SCD might impact education outcomes and information about pain, stroke, and symptoms associated with SCD that school personnel should know. Each student’s experience with SCD is different and the tips discussed should not replace any medical advice a person with SCD receives from their doctor.

These content are based on evidence based and validated research from CDC, NIH, and others. They are not the opinion of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Arizona and are to be used for educational purposes only.

Estimated Time for Completion: 60 minutes