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Medication Procedures

These are the medication procedures that we are required to follow according to Indiana state law:

The purpose of administering medication in school is to help each student maintain am optimal state of health to enhance his/her educational plans. Medications should be given at home whenever possible. Medications given during school hours should be only those necessary to provide the student access to his educational program.

  1. A medication form must be signed and completed by the parent of the student who is to receive medication.
  2. Medications prescribed for a student are to be in the original container with pharmacy label and student's name affixed.
  3. All permission for long-term medication shall be renewed at least annually.
  4. Over-the-counter medications must be brought in with the manufacturer's original label with the ingredients' list and the student's name affixed to the original package.
  5. **IMPORTANT** The parent is responsible for assuring the medication arrives safely at school in a properly labeled container with written permission. Medications WILL NOT be given without a proper written authorization. This includes TYLENOL, ADVIL, MOTRIN ETC.
  6. The parent/guardian is responsible at the end of the treatment regime for removing form the school any unused medication which was prescribed for his child. If the parent does not pick up the medication by the end of the school year, it will be disposed of.

There are permission slips for medication at the front desk that you may fill out in advance for Tylenol, Advil, etc. According to policy, if your child does not have a permission slip on file, we can not dispense medication. Phone permission is not permitted.

If your child brought medicine to school this year, please remember to come to the office and pick it up during regular office hours by June 1. Any medication remaining after that date will be properly disposed of. For next year, if your child needs to take medicine at school, please complete a new permission form and bring it to school along with the medicine. If your child must carry an inhaler with him/her, you must also complete a permission form and return it to the school nurse. Permission forms need to be renewed each year.

Shots

*- four does of DTaP/DTP/DT are acceptable if the fourth dose was administered on or after the child's first birthday.

**- If any combination of IPV or OPV was used, 4 doses are required regardless of age when administered, 4 doses of all IPV or OPV are a complete series or three doses of all OPV or all IPV are acceptable if the third dose was administered on or after the child's fourth birthday.

• Parental history of chickenpox is acceptable as proof of immunity (no vaccine needed). A written statement from the parent/guardian indicating dates of disease and signed is all the documentation needed. Documentation by a physician is not necessary.

+ The 2 dose adolescent Hepatitis B vaccine is acceptable if properly documented. See 220&221 of the “Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases” 9th Edition by CDC.

If your child receives an immunization over the summer, please make sure that information is given to the school. Also, please remember that all fifth grade students must have proof of a second measles shot in order to attend school next fall. Free immunizations are available at:

*Kids Plus of Community Hospital 298-4550 M-F a.m. only, appointment required, closed Wednesday

* St. John's Children Clinic 646-8299, call for appointment, usually seen in 1-2 days

*Madison County Health Department, Nursing Division Immunizations, 206 E. 9th St., Anderson 641-9531, every Tuesday and Thursday 9-12, First Thursday of month 4:30-6:30 p.m., Third Wednesday of month 4:30-6:30 p.m.

*Elwood YMCA 552-9808; the third Wednesday of the month 9:30-12:00

“Should I send my child to school?”

Sometimes parents are unsure whether their child is too sick to go to school, and the child is sent to school not feeling well. Many times these students come to the clinic and ask to go home. Since I have criteria that must be met before I can send a student home, it is important that parents carefully evaluate their child's condition before sending them to school. As always, please feel free to call or e-mail if you have any questions.

The tough morning decision—“Do I send my child to school?”

Just a reminder…DO NOT send your child to school if ANY of these symptoms or signs are present in the previous 24 hours:

  1. vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain
  2. elevated temperature (100 degrees or higher)
  3. repeated diarrhea
  4. acute cold, sore throat or persistent cough
  5. red, inflamed or discharge from eyes
  6. unusual lethargic (sleepy) behavior

There will be times when it is difficult to tell when your child is too ill to go to school. Like adults, children have very different tolerances to discomfort or illness. Even with the common cold, some are able to function fine while others are miserable. If your child is coughing continuously, he or she won't be able to concentrate and will disrupt others in the classroom. A day of rest at home combined with lots of fluids speeds their recovery. Be sure to let the school know where you can be contacted in case your child becomes ill at school. Also, an antibiotic must be taken for a full 24 hours before your child should come back to school, eg: step, pinkeye.

Criteria for sending home ill children

  1. Fever above 100 degrees
  2. Vomiting or diarrhea three times or more
  3. Suspicion of a communicable disease
  4. Possible/probable pinkeye
  5. Injuries for questionable fracture/break, head injury, stitches
  6. Live headlice
  • If children go home with or develop any of the above symptoms of illness, they MUST stay home the following day. Fevers must be gone for a FULL 24 HOURS without the aid of medication (Tylenol, Advil, etc.). Please keep your child home for a FULL 24 HOURS after a fever or vomiting to prevent the spread of the illness, during the contagious phase.
  • If your child is complaining of a stomach ache, but has no fever and has tried using the restroom, I usually will have them rest for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and then encourage them to return to class. Students are not allowed to use the phone unless in extreme circumstances.
  • If children are put on an antibiotic (for strep, pink eye, etc.) they must take it for a FULL 24 HOURS before returning to school. If the medicine needs to be given while at school, the appropriate papers (doctor's note, parent's note) need to be in place, the medicine in the original container, and brought to school by an adult. However, medicine should be GIVEN AT HOME whenever possible.

Please remember, that I must have permission in writing to be able to dispense any kind of medication, including Tylenol, Advil, etc. Cough drops and chapstick may be kept in bookbags, as well as skin lotion.

Please be sure to let the office know where you may be contacted in case your child becomes ill at school.