Prescription medications at school
Prescribed medication should not be taken during school hours if it is possible to achieve the medical regimen at home. However, should a student’s condition necessitate the administration of a prescribed medication during school hours:
- The nurse must be contacted.
- The medication must be provided by an adult in the original pharmacy container.
- A written order from the licensed healthcare provider can either be hand delivered or faxed directly to the school.
- No more than a 30-day supply may be kept at school.
Over-the-counter medications at school
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for individual students must be delivered by an adult in a new, sealed container. A written order by a licensed Healthcare Provider may be required at the discretion of the school nurse for OTCs.
Several over-the-counter medications may be stocked in your school nurse's office and may be administered with parent/guardian permission.
Students are not allowed to carry any OTC medications with them at school.
Emergency Medications at school
Students may self-carry and administer their own asthma inhaler and/or Epipen. A medication form with parent/guardian permission and written authorization from a healthcare provider is required.
If a student carries one of these emergency medications, the parent/guardian is strongly encouraged to supply the health office with a backup.
Students are not allowed to carry any other medications with them at school.
Physical Exams
Students must have a complete physical examination, performed within the past 2 years, for enrollment.
Physicals are also required prior to entrance into middle school and again prior to entrance into high school, per school board policy JLCA.
Physicals can either be hand delivered or faxed directly to the school from the physician's office, when requested by the parent.
Illness
Students with a new cough or severe cold symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and/or thick or constant nasal drainage should stay home. Minor cold symptoms such as mild stuffiness and clear nasal discharge are OK to be in school as long as your student feels well enough to participate.
Students with a fever of 100 degrees or higher MUST stay home from school. Your student may return to school after they have been fever free for a minimum of 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine. Fever (temperature of 100 degrees or higher) is a normal response by the body to fight off an infection. It is also an indication that your child could be contagious. Often, temperatures are lower in the morning and rise during the day. Giving your student acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) will reduce the temperature but will not prevent your student from passing the illness to their classmates.
Your child should stay home from school if any nausea, vomiting or diarrhea has occurred within the last 24 hours.
Students with a widespread or oozing rash should stay home until cleared by a Healthcare Provider. The School Nurse may require a written note from the Healthcare Provider for re-entry to school. Students with poison ivy/oak/sumac may come to school, as it is not contagious.
Causes of “pink eye” (conjunctivitis) are varied, and eyes are sometimes swollen and irritated with a clear drainage, by allergens or virus. However, your student should stay home from school and your Healthcare Provider called if there is mucus or pus drainage from one or both eyes with or without itching, if the eye is red, puffy and/or painful, and/or there is crustiness upon waking. If your student is diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis, they may return to school 24 hours after treatment is started.
If a student becomes ill during the school day, the student must report to the nurse's office to be assessed by the School Nurse prior to dismissal.