Medication Guidelines

Parents have the primary responsibility for administering medication to their child/children.  However when the medication coincides with the school day, prescription medications will be given at school under the following guidelines:

• Prescription medication should be brought to the school nurse, health room assistant, principle, or their designee by the parent or guardian.  Students are not permitted to carry medications with them in school.  Medications must be given to the nurse at the beginning of the day.
• The medication must be in the original container from the pharmacy and must have the original label intact with a current expiration date exhibited.
• The medication must be prescribed to that child.  Another person’s medication will not be given.
• When medication is prescribed by the physician to be taken three times a day, it should be given at home in the morning, at home after school, and in the evening.  This is an acceptable method of medication administration unless otherwise specifically ordered by the physician.
• All medications are kept locked in a secure area in the nurse’s office.  Only the school nurse, the health room assistant, or in their absence, a trained appointed designee will be given medication to students.
• Over-The-Counter medications, for example: Tylenol, Advil, cough drops, and herbal remedies, must follow the same procedures for administering in school.  These medications must have written authorization from the doctor also.  Please do not send such over-the-counter medications to school with your child.
• Medication orders for medications that are to be given during the school year are good only for that school year and must be updated for the next school year.

When visiting your doctor for illness, prior to leaving the physician’s office, ask the doctor to complete the order form in medication is to be given during school hours.  This can also be done prior to the start of the school year for the routine “daily” and “as needed” medications that are needed for some individuals.  The medication order forms can be obtained in the health room.  Please contact the nurse for any questions in regards to medications and your child.