Medications at School

The Jacksonville Independent school district recognizes that at times it will be necessary for a student to take medication at school. Administrators should adhere to the following guidelines in the management of student medication.

                 (1) All medication must be provided by a parent/guardian. No student is allowed to carry any type of medication on their person or belonging. Doing so will result in disciplinary action. The exception to this rule is asthma inhalers, epi pens, and insulin which require written permission by a physician and parent.

 

                 (2) Parents shall be encouraged to schedule the administration of student medicine in such a manner that medication brought to school will be kept to a minimum. Medications prescribed or requested to be given three (3) times per day or less are not to be given at school unless the nurse determines that a special need exists.

                 (3) All student medication shall be accompanied by a completed medication administration permission form and turned in to the school nurse. A new written request must be completed for any changes to the original request. A separate request form must be completed for each medication.

                 (4) The first dose of a new medication or new dosage must be administered at home where parents can monitor potential side effects and adverse reactions.

                 (5) Over the counter medications are allowed if in its original unopened container. The parent must sign the appropriate permission form. If the student comes to the clinic to take the over the counter medication more than 10 times in a semester, a parent will be notified of the excessive use, and the drug will not be administered anymore without a physician’s request.

                 (6) The school district will not administer any medications containing aspirin unless prescribed by a physician. There are several over the counter (OTC) medications that contain aspirin, such as Excedrin, Pepto-Bismol, Pamprin (to name a few). Due to the risk of Reye’s Syndrome in children and teens taking aspirin containing meds, we ask that you find an aspirin free alternative to these medications.

                (7) All student medicines shall be kept in a locked container in the designated area.

                (8) A properly labeled prescription medication is one with a pharmacy label that includes the student’s name, name of medication, dosage that matches the parent/doctor request form, physician’s name, times and methods of administration, and date prescription was filled. The parents should request the pharmacist to dispense two labeled bottles of medication if the medication must be administered at school—one for home and one for school.

                (9) Medication in plastic bags or other non-original containers will not be accepted or administered.

               (10) A Registered Nurse has the right to refuse to give any medication that is not prescribed within the recommended dose or use as it is stated in the State Board of Nursing licensure requirements.

               (11) The school will assume the responsibility for the administration of a student's medication only for those students in a special education program who are unable to determine their need for medication or who are unable to administer their medication.

               (12) Student medications that must be administered by school personnel shall be administered by the building principal, the principal's designee, the nurse or health aide assigned to the building.

               (13) At the end of the school year, it shall be the responsibility of the parent to take unused medication home. Any unused medication will be destroyed at the end of the school year if left at school.

               (14) Herbal or dietary supplements will not be administered unless the medication will benefit the student's educational achievement as stated in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan and is prescribed by a physician.

              (15) Head start children must have a prescription for all medications including Over the Counter Medications as required by the state. The prescription must be renewed every school year.

              (16) When students who take prescribed medication go on a field trip, the bottle with the correct label and instructions will be sent with the teacher taking the student on the field trip. Individual pills cannot be taken out of the bottle and sent on a field trip.

             (17) Medications prescribed by out-of-state physicians who are registered and licensed to practice medicine in the USA may be administered for up to 30 days. After 30 days, the parent must provide a prescription issued by a physician licensed to practice in the state of Texas.