• pillsGUIDELINES FOR MEDICATION PROTOCOL 

    Prescription and over-the-counter medications:

    • The school nurse must have a written request from the child's physician that indicates the name, frequency, dosage, route, and time of administration and side effects of the medication. In addition, the condition treated and the length of time the medication is to be administered is to be specified by the physician.
    • The nurse must have a written request from the parent to administer the medication as specified by the physician. A verbal or telephone request is not adequate.
    • Both types of medications must be either in the container prepared by the pharmacist or the original OTC medication bottle. Both containers must include the name and strength of the medication. (Note: The pharmacy label does not constitute a written order and cannot be used in lieu of a written order from a licensed prescriber. When having prescriptions filled, parents should ask for two containers, one for home and one for school.)
    • All medication must be delivered directly to the school nurse by the parent. NO MEDICATION SHOULD BE SENT TO SCHOOL WITH THE CHILD. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN MEDICATION BE TRANSPORTED BY A STUDENT ON A BUS.
    • Medication orders must be renewed annually and when there is any change.
    • All medication will be kept locked in the Health Office unless the student is deemed self-administering by his/her physician, parent and school nurse.
    • Medications may accompany a student on field trips or off-campus activities if the student is self-directed, able to state what the medication is (ex. inhaler), why the medication is needed (ex. trouble breathing), the dosage (ex. 2 puffs). Please take note that a school staff member may assist self-directed students with handling or taking his/her medication.

    For a student to be considered self-administering (able to carry his/her own medication on his/her self at all times), the following criteria must be met:

    • Written consent from the child's physician deeming the child self-administering must be submitted to the school nurse.
    • Written consent from the child's parent/guardian requesting the child be self-administering must be submitted to the school nurse.
    • The child must be able to state the name of the medication, the dosage taken, the frequency that the medication can be taken, the reason the medication is taken, and any possible side effects.
    • The medication is to be kept in his/her locker, P.E. locker, or backpack and must be available for review at the request of the school nurse.
    • The school nurse will have the final decision in determining if a child is considered self-administering.
    • Please note: If at any time, a self-administering student loses his/her medication at school, or is unable to present his/her medication at the request of the school nurse, his/her determination of self-administration will be reviewed and possibly suspended.

    Any student who has been identified by his/her primary physician as having an anaphylactic type allergy (bee, peanut, etc.), must provide the health office with an epi-pen and physicians order, before being allowed participation in field trips, sports, and other extra-curricular activities. If the child's physician does not feel the child requires an epi-pen, written physician documentation must be submitted to the health office.