Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board

NEW for the 2026-2027 School Year

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, parents/guardians will be required to complete and submit Asthma Plans of Care online through the Board’s Aspen Parent/Family Portal.   

 

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) is committed to fostering a safe, accepting, and healthy learning environment for all students, including those with asthma. The HWCDSB recognizes that asthma may be diagnosed at any age and may affect students with diverse needs, including those receiving special education support. 

The HWCDSB believes that:

• Every student deserves equitable access to education in an environment that supports their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
• Students should be empowered as confident and capable learners, supported in reaching their full potential for self-management of their medical condition, in accordance with their Plan of Care.

Supporting students with asthma requires collaboration among educators, families, health professionals, and community partners. Board policies and procedures are aligned with the expectations outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum No. 161 Supporting Children and Student with Prevalent Medical Conditions (anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy) in Schools (2018) (PPM 161) and and Ryan’s Law (2015).

Asthma Plan of Care

As outlined in PPM161, all students diagnosed with a prevalent medical condition must have a Plan of Care in place to support their health, safety, and well-being at school.  The Plan of Care is to be co-created by parents/guardians in consultation with school administration.  A new Plan of Care is required:

• when the school is first informed of the student’s prevalent medical condition;
• annually by October 1; and,
• whenever there are changes to the student’s prevalent medical condition and/or emergency medication(s).

 If your child has asthma, you are asked to:

• Inform the school office of your child’s asthma diagnosis or confirm the diagnosis is on file at the school each year.  
• Initiate, complete, and submit your child's Asthma Plan of Care through the Board's Aspen Parent/Family Portal. This will require the completion of the following online forms:
  - Annual Request and Consent for the Administration of Asthma Interventions & Emergency Medication Digital Form; and,
  - Asthma Plan of Care Digital Form.
  
• As required, submit a completed Physician/Nurse Practitioner Authorization for Administration of Asthma Medication Form to the school’s main office. A new form is required:
  - when the school is first informed of your child’s asthma diagnosis; and,
  - whenever there are changes to your child’s medical condition and/or emergency medication.
• Supply sufficient quantities of prescribed asthma medication and related supplies as outlined in your child's Asthma Plan of Care.
• Review the HWCDSB Asthma Parent/Guardian and Student Responsibility Checklists and HWCDSB Asthma Policy (SM12) to understand the shared responsibilities of students, families, schools, and the Board.

Resources to Support Online Plan of Care Completion

The following resources provide information and guidance to support families in completing and submitting a Plan of Care through the Board’s Aspen Parent/Family Portal:

• QRC – How to Complete & Submit a Plan of Care in HWCDSB’s Aspen Parent/Family Portal
• Video Overview 1 – Getting Started (Accessing the Aspen Parent/Family Portal)
• Video Overview 2 – Initiating, Completing & Submitting a Plan of Care
• Video Overview 3 – Accessing & Printing Your Child’s Active Plan of Care

Asthma Forms

Links to required forms are provided below.  Please note that the digital form previews are provided to help parents/guardians understand the information that will be requested through the Board’s Aspen Parent/Family Portal. The previews are for reference only and are not to be completed or submitted.

• Annual Request and Consent for the Administration of Asthma Interventions & Emergency Medication Digital Form – PREVIEW ONLY
• Asthma Plan of Care Digital Form - PREVIEW ONLY
• Asthma Physician/Nurse Practitioner Authorization for Administration of Asthma Medication Form
• HWCDSB Asthma Parent/Guardian and Student Responsibilities Checklists

Board Asthma Policy and Resources

• HWCDSB Asthma Policy (SM12)
• HWCDSB Supporting Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions – Roles and Responsibilities
  

Other Resources

The following resources provide information about asthma:

Asthma Canada
Asthma-Safe Learning - A Back-to-School Asthma Management Protocol for Parents and Guardians

Parents/guardians are encouraged to speak with their child's principal/vice-principal if they have questions or require support related to their child’s asthma.