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Medications in School

Eastampton Community School - Nurse's Office

MEDICATIONS IN SCHOOL

Whenever possible, it is best for the student not to have to interrupt their school day to go to the nurse's office for a dosage of medication. So whenever medication is prescribed for your student, please discuss with the doctor how to best fit the dosing around or into the school day. Medications (like antibiotics) scheduled three times a day, may be okay to simply give before school, after school, and at bedtime. If the doctor feels the medication is necessary at school, please remember the rules below. These rules are in place for the safety of your student, and the safety of the whole school community. Please respect and follow them, especially #4! 

1. All medications (including non-prescription) should be kept in the Nurse's Office, and administered by a nurse. 

EXCEPTIONS:

  • A parent may come to the school to administer medication as needed to their own child (in the Nurse's Office).
  • Self carry or sports team situations with doctor's orders, which must be preapproved and monitored by the Nurse's Office.

2. All medications (including ointments, creams, and non-prescription items) require signed doctor’s orders specific to your student. Those orders are valid for only one year, and therefore need to be renewed every school year.

Please contact the Nurse’s Office regarding appropriate forms. These are all available on our website.

  • Asthma Action Plan is required when prescribing inhaled medication.
  • Allergy Action Plan is required when prescribing epinephrine.
  • Seizure Action Plan is required when prescribing anti-seizure medications.
  • All others should have General Medication Orders. General orders include student’s name, date of birth, medication name, dose amount, route (oral, inhale, apply to skin, or eye, etc), and frequency (days and times).
  • Diabetic Action Plan available upon request.

EXCEPTIONS: The Nurse's Office has general standing orders from our school doctor for the following.

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever or pain. Requires parent/guardian permission, which may be given by initialing the appropriate box on the Nurse’s Office Medical Card, or sending a written note to our office. 
  • Diphenhydramine HCl (Benadryl) for allergic reactions, allergies, or rash/itching.
  • Cough drops, but student's should store any supply in the Nurse's Office.
  • We also have standing orders for a number of basic first aid items, and emergency interventions.

3. Medication should be provided in original packaging, and prescriptions should have the pharmacy label attached. For non-prescription medications, please provide the nurse’s office with a new unopened package to be kept at school. If medication is needed at home and at school, both supplies should have appropriate labeling. You can ask the pharmacy to split a prescription, or simply provide an extra bottle and label. Do not bring medication to school in a baggy or envelope.

4. Medication should NOT be carried by students. Medication should be dropped off to school and picked up from school by a parent or other adult. Do not send medication to school with your student. Students should not carry medication on the bus. Students are not permitted to carry medications in school. All medications, including inhalers, EpiPens, insulin, cough drops, etc., are to be kept in the Nurse’s Office.

EXCEPTION:

  • Self carry or sports team situations which must be preapproved and monitored by the Nurse's Office. Doctor’s orders should indicate that the student has been instructed, and is capable in self-administration.

5. At the end of the school year, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pick up medication from the nurse’s office. Any remaining medication may be discarded. 

 

NEW MEDICATION

Whenever a new medication is prescribed for your student, please also discuss with the doctor when it is best to start that medication. Some medications have significant potential side effects, and it is best to start that when you as a parent are able to observe your child closely for any adverse effects. For routine medications, that may mean starting with a weekend dose. For medications that must be started immediately, that may mean keeping your student home for a day. And as always, please notify the Nurse's Office that your student is on a new medication, so that we may continue to monitor.