Student Development

Health Services

Medications in Schools

Most medications are available in long acting form and parents/students are encouraged to administer such medication at home to avoid school administration.

Elementary ( Pre K- 6 )

Prescription medication will be released to students at school only on the specific written request of the student's parent or guardian and with the written authorization of the student's physician. The need for both parent and physician authorization is a state regulation. All prescription medication must be furnished in the original pharmacy labeled container.

Over-the-counter medication will be allowed at school only with a doctor's written authorization.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) will be available in the health room at each elementary school. Dr. Jay Rabinowitz, a pediatrician in Parker, has developed a protocol for the school personnel informing them of the conditions under which acetaminophen may be released and the proper dosage for each age level. Designated school personnel may release acetaminophen to students with the following symptoms, providing prior written parental permission has been given:

• headache
• toothache
• dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
• musculoskeletal pain
• fever (100 F or above) only after the parent has been notified to pick student up

Permission for administration of acetaminophen is on the student registration form. The permission must be signed every year if you wish your child to receive acetaminophen for any of the above health problems.

Secondary

Medications for secondary students are handled differently from elementary students.

Middle School ( 7- 8 )

Seventh and eighth grade students may assume responsibility for bringing to school and administering their own medication providing they carry only enough for one day and have the self administration "permission to carry medication" form on file in the school office. Students using poor judgment in carrying and taking their own medication will have such medication confiscated by school personnel, and parents or guardian will be notified. A structured plan will then be developed for the administration of the medication. Any parent or guardian who chooses not to sign the permission to carry medication form may request that a structured plan be devised for his or her student.

High School ( 9 - 12 )

High school students may assume the responsibility of bringing to school and administering their own medication, providing they carry only enough for one day. Students who appear to be using poor judgment in carrying and taking their own medication will have such medication confiscated by school personnel, and parents or guardian will be notified. A structured plan will then be developed for the administration of medication. Any parent may also request that a structured plan be devised for their student. On an overnight field trip, students may bring enough medication for the duration of the field trip.

Over-the-counter Medications

Students at the secondary level may carry over the counter medications such as acetaminophen, cold preparations, or vitamins, but should carry only a one day supply as per above policy. A permission to carry from is not required for these products.

Students who have emergency medication for life threatening health conditions should report to the office that they carry such medications in the event that an emergency renders them unable to respond as planned. The school nurse will contact such students to work out an emergency plan for the administration of this medication.