Medication at School

  • For students with health conditions that require medication during the school day, medication is administered by the Health Care Specialist or other school staff under the direction and supervision of the Licensed School Nurse. Medication will be kept in a locked cabinet unless the student is authorized to carry and self-administer their own medication. 

    Medication must be provided to school by a parent/guardian in its original, labeled container.

    Parents/guardians may contact the Licensed School Nurse and/or Health Care Specialist at the child’s school to discuss any concerns or special needs or to request assistance in obtaining required authorization.

    Prescription Medications

    • Prescription medications administered on a daily or "as needed" (prn) basis or self-administered by a student must have written authorization by a licensed prescriber and parent/guardian.
    • Prescription Medication Authorization Form
    • Prescription medication needed for a short period of time (3-14 days) may be administered with written parent/guardian authorization and instructions.
      Prescription medications sent to school must be in a current pharmacy container with the following information on the label: (Pharmacy will supply a duplicate, labeled container for school use upon parent/guardian request)
      • Student name
      • Medication name, strength, amount to be given, dispensing date, directions for use
      • Physician/licensed prescriber name
      • Pharmacy name, address, phone number
    • Self Administration of prescription medication by a student (for management of e.g. Diabetes, Asthma, Severe Allergies):

    The licensed prescriber and parent/guardian must indicate that the student is allowed to self-carry their medication.
    Medications covered by the Federal Narcotics Act (e.g., Ritalin/Methylphenidate, Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Codeine) will only be administered in the Health Office.

    Over-the-Counter Medications (OTC)

    • Over-the-counter (OTC) medication (e.g. cough/cold remedies, antihistamines, pain relievers) may be administered with written parent/guardian permission and instructions.
    • OTC Medication Parent Authorization
    • Over-the-counter (OTC) medication must be supplied by the parent/guardian in the original container with an intact manufacturer label. There is no school supply of any medication.

    Self-administration of over-the-counter (OTC) medication:

    Senior high students (grades 9-12) may, with parent/guardian knowledge and approval, carry and self-administer OTC medication. Medication must be carried in the original container with an intact manufacturer label and the student’s name written on the container. The student may not share OTC medication with other students.

    Medication Changes

    Medication changes will be made when written authorization from the licensed prescriber and parent/guardian is received.

    Discontinued Medication

    Discontinued medication will be returned to parent/guardian upon request or destroyed.

    End of School Year

    Unused medication will be returned to parent/guardian upon request or destroyed.