The Pennsylvania school health guidelines and the State Board of Nursing in Pennsylvania require written orders from a physician or nurse practitioner for a student to receive any medication in school. This includes over-the-counter medications.

To help students with common complaints and minor injuries, a standing order is obtained yearly from our primary school physician for selected medications according to the Health Services Manual and District policy.

MEDICATION POLICY

When an illness is serious enough to warrant the administration of medication, the parent/guardian should attempt to administer the medication before or after school hours. If it becomes necessary for the parent/guardian to send prescribed and/or over the-counter medication to school, the medication should be sent in the original container and must be labeled with:

1.     Child’s name and grade

2.     Name of the medication

3.     Amount of medication to be taken

4.     Time the child is to take the medication

In addition, a Medication Administration Consent and Licensed Prescriber Order Form must be completed and returned to the School Nurse. All prescription and non-prescription medications must be delivered to the school nurse by a parent/guardian and picked up by the parent/guardian at the end of the school year. The procedure is the same for controlled substance medications (i.e. Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, etc.). The medication may not be sent with the student, and the appropriate form must be on file prior to the medication being administered at the school.

Please keep in mind, Parkland emergency procedures will be followed in the event of an emergency. Epinephrine auto-injectors will be administered in the event anaphylactic symptoms are being demonstrated. Please contact your building school nurse with questions or concerns.

Because of recent changes to policy 210-Medications, the District will no longer be requesting parental permission to administer Acetaminophen in the nursing office. If you would prefer your child NOT to receive Acetaminophen at school, please contact your building nurse in writing.

When the School Nurse is notified of a field trip with students that have medication housed in the nursing office, prescription and nonprescription medication will be sent.

Please note: The nurse reserves the right to refuse to dispense medication at any time based on the assessment of the situation and every effort will be made to notify parents. No medication will be given more than two times during the school day. Please contact your building school nurse should you like further information.