The Board of Education supports a safe medication delivery system for any child in need of medicines during the school day. Accordingly, all prescription and non-prescription medicines require physician and parent written permission and delivery of the medication by the parent in the original container to the school nurse who will store and oversee the administration of a medicine to a child.  A photograph of the child is affixed to all prescription medicine bottles for added precautions.  The Board also encourages that whenever possible parents discuss with their healthcare provider alternatives to having medicines administered during the school day when doing so may interfere with instructional time.  The school nurse will count controlled substances when you drop them off and will monitor them on a decreasing count.  The nurse will notify you of any discrepancies.

The Board of Education requests that all parents work with their children of all ages to ensure they are educated to know the name and appearance of their medicine, the amount they are to get at what times, and the reason they are taking the medicine.  The Board also asks parents to make sure their children realize that if they are asked to take a medicine that is not familiar to them or at a dose that is incorrect, that it is important to tell the adult “NO”, to explain to the adult there appears to be a mistake, and to say they need to call their parent to clarify their concern before they accept an unfamiliar medicine from anyone.

Responsible children, with prior approval by the principal, school nurse, and district physician, sometimes may carry and self-administer life-saving medicines upon parental request and with private provider approval that the child is responsible to do so.  All self-carried, life-saving medicines must have a duplicate supply stored in the health office in the event the child’s supply is misplaced, lost, or not readily available in an emergency. Children may not carry or self-administer controlled substances or substances abused for recreational purposes.

In the event of a field trip and the need to administer medication, the district encourages you or your designee to attend the trip with your child so you may safely administer the medication to your child. Non-self-directed students require a nurse or a parent designated present on field trips if medication is required. In the event of need for medicine during athletic events, prior arrangements are essential, either having your child carry and self-administer medicine with prior parent and medical provider documentation and school nurse approval, or designating a friend or relative to give medicine in your absence. A staff member who is a friend of your family may serve as your designee in your absence with prior arrangements.  Nurses are not available after school for athletics.  No one may give medication to your child without prior written approval. Please contact the school nurse if you have questions. For significant life-threatening medical conditions parents may wish to alert their local Emergency Medical Services responders of the matter to ensure prompt response in the event of a call.