Medication Policy & Procedure

The district policy for administration of medication by school personnel is based on Pennsylvania State Law as well as administrative guidelines issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Only essential medications should be taken in school.  Most medications can be administered at home before and after school.  A parent/guardian may visit the school and administer a medicine to their own child at any time.

The administration of any medication by school personnel requires written instructions from your physician, CRNP, or PA and written permission from a parent or guardian.  This includes prescription and over the counter medicine (allergy, cold tablets, cough syrup, etc.).  Medication orders may be faxed directly to school from the physician’s office.

Students are not permitted to carry or self-administer medication in school.  All medicine must be taken to the health office immediately.   Students with an asthma inhaler, epinephrine auto-injector or Insulin may keep the medication with them to self -administer only if the prescribing medical provider determines it is a medical necessity.

Medication must be brought to school in the original labeled prescription or over the counter bottle.  **Controlled medication such as a narcotic, stimulant (ADHD medication) or antidepressant must be brought to the school nurse by a parent, guardian or designated adult.

All medication is to be picked up at the end of the school year by an adult.

In the event of a weather or scheduled delay the parent/guardian will be contacted prior to administering any daily morning medication.

PROCEDURE FOR SENDING MEDICINE TO SCHOOL A written order from a medical provider (physician, CRNP, PA) must be sent or faxed to school for all medications.  This includes prescription as well as over the counter medication. The medication permission form must be signed by a parent/guardian before medication will be given. Prescription medication must be sent in the original properly labeled pharmacy bottle/packaging. Over the counter medications must be sent in the manufacturers’ original bottle or packaging. A responsible adult must bring the medication to school. If the medication is changed, a new written order from the physician, CRNP, or PA is required. For each new school year a new medication order is required from the medical provider.