What if my student needs medication during school?
According to Illinois law, the only appropriate medications given at school are those that are needed to maintain a student's health or ability to learn. When a student’s licensed health care provider and parent/guardian believe that it is necessary for the student to take a medication during school hours, the parent/guardian must provide a completed Authorization for Administration of Medication in School form each school year for the administration of prescription and non-prescription medications (e.g., Advil, cough medicine, cough drops, cold remedies, etc.).
This requires:
- A written statement from a licensed health care provider and parent/guardian permission.
- The student’s parent/ guardian must obtain written orders for the administration of medication whenever a change in the child’s medication or health occurs, or upon request of the school nurse. The school must receive an updated physician’s order in writing before administering a new dosage.
- Medication must be provided in its original container labeled by the pharmacist with the student’s name, medication, the dosage of medication and time to be given at school.
- Medications must be brought to school by a parent or a designated adult and are never to be sent to school with the student*. No School District RN/School Nurse shall administer to any student any prescription or nonprescription medication until a properly completed and signed Authorization for Administration of Medication in School form is submitted by the student’s parent/guardian. No student shall possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication on school grounds or at school-related functions.
Can my Child carry their inhaler or Epipen in school?
Yes, the exception to this guideline is when the student has been approved* to self-administer such medications. A medication permission form and self-administration form - both must be completed and on file in the health office. Details regarding self-carry medication procedures can be found on the D303 Health Services portion of the D303 website. For your student's safety, it is always a good idea to have a spare inhaler or EpiPen in your child’s the health office The Self-Administration of Asthma Medication and/or Epinephrine Auto-Injector is regulated under Public Act 096-1460, which states students are permitted to self-administer asthma medication and/or an epinephrine auto-injector with provisions. The Right to carry and/or self-administer insulin is regulated by Public Act 096-1485, the Care of Students with Diabetes Act, which provides that a student is permitted to possess on his or her person at all times the supplies and equipment necessary to monitor and treat diabetes.
If I do not have a physician order in place in the health office and my child needs a dose of medication can I come to school and give my child a dose of medicine?
Yes, a parent, relative or designated adult may come to school to administer a dose of medication to a student. In this case, the student meets the parent, relative or designated adult (neighbor/friend) in the main office, the parent or other administers the medication to the student and the student returns to class. Examples of medication administered in this manner include cold medication or medication for discomfort.
Are some classes of medication counted by the parent and nurse upon delivery to the health office?
Yes, controlled medications (Class II) such as Ritalin and Adderall are required to be counted by the nurse in the presence of the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian will be asked to sign off on the amount being supplied to the school.
Will the nurse call me to tell me my student is out of prescribed medication?
When possible a courtesy call is made home to inform parents that their student’s medication has “run out”. It is the parent’s ultimate responsibility to maintain their child’s medication supply at school.
Should I tell the school nurse that my child takes medicine at home?
Yes, if the medication affects classroom performance or their safety in school. Please contact your school nurse if you would like to discuss this.
Will the health office send unused medication home with my child at the end of the year?
No, not only is a parent/guardian responsible for bringing medication to the school at the beginning of the school year, but they are also responsible for taking unused medication home when it is no longer required during school or on the last day of school. Any medication left in the health office after the last day of school will be discarded as medical waste. Expired Medication will not be given. Upon expiration, a medication will be discarded as medical waste.
When should my child stay home from school?
Keep your student at home if he/she:
- has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher
- has been vomiting or having diarrhea within the past 24 hours,
- complains of an earache
- has a rash that has not been seen by a doctor,
- eyes appear reddened, are crusted or draining.
Will the health office supply items needed to administer prescribed medications?
Special items necessary to administer medications or treatments (such as syringes, feeding bags, and testing supplies) must be supplied by a parent or guardian and will be stored in an appropriate area designated by the school nurse or building principal.
It is never our intent to make processes difficult for parents. Rather, the intent of these procedures is to protect the student, to provide clear and consistent approaches to the administration of medication at Wredling Middle School and within the district, and to ensure the physician, parents, and students understand their responsibilities regarding medication administration. It is important that students understand that no student may possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication during school unless an emergency medication plan as described above is in place (inhaler, epinephrine, insulin). Thank you for your cooperation in abiding by this policy.
Best Regards,
Juanita Gryfinski MSN, MS, MA, RN, PEL-CSN, NCSN
