Medication at School Procedures and appropriate use of prescription and non-prescription medicine
Parent / guardian responsibilities Schools rely on the cooperation of parents / guardians to safely and effectively administer medication to their students at school. Parents / guardians are responsible for:
Supplying all medications (schools don’t supply medications for students)
Transporting medication to and from school
Completing all required medication authorization forms
Requirements for all medications: prescription, non-prescription, and homeopathic
Parents / guardians must complete the authorization to administer medication form for each medication. The form must be signed by the health care provider and parent / guardian. Medication cannot be given without the completed form.
Parents / guardians must bring all medications to the school office for the student. Students can’t bring medication to school. Medication can’t be transported on school district buses.
All medication must be in the original prescription bottle, container or package.
All non-prescription medication must be labeled by the parent. The label should include:
Student name
Name of medication
Exact dosage
Date issued
Name of health care provider
Time of day medication is to be given
Directions on the authorization to administer medication form must match the directions on the prescription bottle/container.
If half doses have been prescribed, the parent/guardian must break medication tablets in half before bringing to the school.
Medication which is to be given three times a day should be given at home before school, after school and at bedtime.
Homeopathic medications will only be accepted if the authorization to administer medication form is signed by a health care provider.
Inhalers
The authorization to administer medication form to be completed for inhalers. If an exception is made allowing the student to carry his / her own inhaler, written permission from parent / guardian, health care provider and school nurse is required.
Insulin
Parents must complete the diabetes health care provider medication order form to allow their students to take insulin at school
Administering medication at school Medications are given between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. The school is not responsible for documentation of medication use or monitoring of expiration date, if carried and self-administered by the student. If a student self carries medication at school, they still need a health care provider’s order on file at the school. Note: Medication left at school will be destroyed the last day of school, according to district policy.