Administration of Medication in School

  • PARENTS, PLEASE TAKE NOTE

     

    New Jersey State law PROHIBITS administration of ANY medication, including Tylenol, Advil, or any other “over - the- counter” medication without a DOCTOR’S ORDER AND A PARENT’S OR GUARDIAN’S WRITTEN CONSENT.

    • All OVER THE COUNTER medications MUST be supplied from home and labeled with the student’s name.

     

    • Students MAY NOT CARRY ANY MEDICATION ON THEIR PERSON for the purpose of self-administration. There are exceptions to that rule: i.e. Inhalers and Epi-Pens for life-threatening conditions such as asthma, bee stings, and/or food allergies. Inhalers and Epi-pens may only be carried by students who demonstrate appropriate knowledge of technique and administration. Again, a doctor’s order and parent’s or guardian’s written consent is necessary.

     

    • ANY Medication administered in school MUST be in its original container and labeled with the student’s name.

     

    • A fax will be accepted from the prescribing physician, and parent or guardian, if your child needs to take medication in school. It is the parent’s responsibility to call the doctor to request a medication order.

     

    •  All Medication must be delivered to the school nurse by a parent or guardian. Any medication brought in by a student will not be administered. If medication is a controlled substance the number of pills must be verified with the school nurse.

    MEDICATION SENT TO SCHOOL IN A BAGGIE, ENVELOPE OR TISSUE WILL NOT BE ADMINISTERED

    STUDENTS IN GRADES PK-3 ARE NEVER PERMITTED TO SELF-ADMINISTER MEDICATION

     

    Students with asthma may carry their inhalers with them only with physician authorization. Your physician may write on a prescription or office letterhead that your child is responsible, has been instructed in the proper use of the inhaler and may carry his/her inhaler with him/her at all times. This note/letter must be on file in the health office.

    • Prescriptions must be written for the present school year only, and will not carry over to the following school year.
    • All unused medication should be collected by the parent/guardian at the end of the school year.

     

    EPI-PENS and Severe/Food Allergies

    Students with severe food and insect sting allergies, who have EPI-PENS prescribed by their physicians, may require the assistance, in the absence of the school nurse, to administer their epi-pen. Each school has several specially trained and certified staff members who may be assigned to assist such students.
     
    Parents must contact the school nurse to discuss their child's condition, and request a designee for the epi-pen. Documentation must be completed by the parent and the child's physician.