Student Medication Policy

Grades 9-12

Medicine should be given at home if at all possible (such as any medicine that is taken 3 times a day or less often). If the doctor’s orders say that medicine must be given during school hours the school nurse or other designated staff member may give the medicine at school by following these rules:

Prescription Medicine

1. Prescription medicine should be in the original prescription bottle and plainly marked with the original prescription label that includes the student’s name, date, name of medicine, dose and the time it is to be given.

a. Pharmacies will give an extra empty bottle with label at no charge.

b. The most current bottle will be kept at school.

c. The student may not carry controlled substances such as prescription pain medicine, Ritalin, Adderal and others to school. Parents must bring these to the nurse and sign permission for them to be given.

d. There are serious legal consequences for students who are carrying these kinds of medicines at school.

2. Over-the-counter-medicine (OTC)

a. Students may carry a small amount of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for personal use. The medicine must be in the original bottle with the label in place. 

b. All other over the counter medicine must be brought to the school nurse! This includes ibuprofen, Excedrin, aspirin and all other medicine.  Please note that medicines with aspirin may not be safe for teenagers who have a virus like a cold or the flu.  Read labels carefully and choose medicnes without aspirin.

c. OTC medicine must be in the original container with the label in place.

d. Be sure that the expiration date has not passed.

e. The school nurse may not give a larger dose than what is recommended on the label.

3. The parent or guardian must sign a medicine form so that the medicine may be given at school. This form is available from the nurse or the HS office.

4. A physician’s written authorization is required for the following:

a. Prescription medicine that is to be given daily on a long-term basis

b. Emergency medicine such as bee sting kits

c. Self-care for some medicine, like asthma inhalers.

5. Students found in possession of medicine or who share medicine with others will be subject to the discipline code.

Rev 9/2009

Grades 5-8

Medicine should be given at home if at all possible. If the doctor’s orders indicate that medicine must be given during school hours it will be given by the school nurse (or a staff member designated by the nurse). Medicine will be given according to the following policy:

Prescription Medicine

1. All medicine must be in the original prescription bottle plainly marked with the student’s name, date, medicine name, dose and time to be given.

2. The pharmacy will supply a second prescription bottle at no cost

3. The most current bottle will be kept at school

4. Not more than one month worth of doses shall be kept at school (up to 25 total doses)

5. The parent/guardian must bring the medicine to school and sign a form authorizing the nurse (or a staff member designated by the nurse) to give the medicine.

6. The nurse will follow the physician’s directions as listed on the prescription bottle

7. Medicine brought to school by a student will be held in the Health Room until a parent can come pick it up or sign permission for the medicine to be given

8. A doctor’s written authorization may be required for the following:

a. Prescription medicine that is to be given daily on a long term basis

b. Emergency medicine such as bee sting kits or epi-pens

c. Self-administration of certain medicines (such as an inhaler for asthma)

Over-the-Counter Medicine

• The parent/guardian must bring the medicine to the Health Room and sign a form authorizing the nurse (or a staff member designated by the nurse) to give the medicine

• All medicine must be in the original package with the full label intact

• Only the dose listed on the package as appropriate will be given

• A doctor’s authorization may be required

The school nurses will destroy all medicine that is left in the Health Room after the last day of the regular school year. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pick up any unused medicine.

Students found to be in possession of medicine at school will be subject to the discipline code.