Open Airways for Schools teaches kids with asthma how to better manage their disease so they can stay in the classroom and out of the emergency room. Asthma is a leading cause of missed school days, but studies show when children with asthma learn how to control their symptoms, they can avoid serious episodes.
The program:
• Improves asthma management skills
• Decreases asthma emergencies
• Raises asthma awareness among parents/guardians
• Promotes coordination between physicians, parents and schools
Open Airways for Schools is taught in six 40-minute group lessons during the school day. Students with asthma are excused from their regular classrooms to participate in the program, which uses group discussion, stories, games and role playing to help them learn about the disease.
Topics covered include:
• Basic information about asthma
• Recognizing and managing asthma symptoms
• Using medication
• Avoiding asthma triggers
• Getting enough exercise
• Doing well at school
Open Airways for Schools is taught by a volunteer instructor who is trained by a certified trainer. Instructors can be school personnel, parents, community volunteers, or anyone interested in helping children learn about asthma. Asthma is a serious chronic lung disease that can be life-altering and even life-threatening if not properly managed. Instructors play a significant role in helping children learn how to live well with the disease.
To find an Open Airways for Schools program near you or learn about volunteer facilitator opportunities, use the Find Events search box on this page or call the American Lung Association of California at 800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872).
