• Medications in School
     
     
    New York State law as well as local regulations strictly outline the rules that schools must follow concerning medication administered in school. The overall guidelines are that dispensing of medication must be kept to a minimum. Therefore, it is administered only when necessary to be given during school hours.
     
    We are required to follow these regulations:
     
    1.  The nurse should administer medication only as necessary.
    2.  Instructions for administration of medication must be in writing
         from the Physician and include:
            a. The name of the student.
            b. Medical condition of the child.
            c. The name of the medication.
            d. The dosage and time.
            e. A list of possible side effects.
    3.  A letter must be on file from the parents or guardian requesting the medication be administered by the school.
    4.  Medication must be brought to school by a parent or guardian, NOT to be sent to school with the child.
    5.  New prescriptions and physician's orders are required at the beginning of each school year.
    6.  All unused medication must be picked up by a parent or guardian at the end of the school year or will be properly disposed of.
    7.  All prescribed medications will be kept in a locked cabinet and dispensed only by authorized personnel.
    8.  If, at any time, the physician wishes to change the dosage, she/he must submit this request in writing.
    9.  A verbal or telephone request from the parent or physician is not acceptable from the standpoint of protection for the school nurse and school.
    10. Special guidelines apply to field trips. Contact your school nurse for specific information.
    11. The term "medications" is a broad one applying to both prescription and non-prescription drugs and treatments.
      
    If your doctor orders medication to be given by the nurse, the PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST bring the medication to the Health Office in its original container and it will be kept in the health office until the end of the school year. In JUNE, it is the responsibility of the parent and/or guardian to pick up all medication at the end of each school year. Should the parent or guardian not pick up their student's medication, then it will be properly disposed of at the end of the year.
     
    SELF-CARRY/SELF-ADMINISTER
     
    **Self-carry orders are required for any student carrying their own medication, who wants to try out for a SPORT or wants to participate in any after school activity.   
     
    If your doctor states that your child can SELF-CARRY and SELF-ADMINISTER their own medication, then the student can carry said medication during the school day.   The WCSD Medication Form must be used for SELF-CARRY orders and provided to the nurse. The self-carry orders must be written, signed and stamped by the child's primary care physician.  The medication will be checked for correct medication, dosage, and expiration date. 
     
     
    *** ALL DOCTORS ORDERS ARE VALID FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR AND MUST BE RE-WRITTEN EACH SCHOOL YEAR. ***  
    The school year starts in September and ends in June.