Health & Nutrition

• Parents of scholars with special needs such as diabetes, severe allergies, asthma, etc., are responsible for making an appointment with the school nurse within the first 5 days of school.  Parents are also responsible for keeping the nurse informed of changes during the course of the year, and for providing all necessary supplies for the scholar.  “Necessary supplies” may include: snacks, glucose tablets, ketone strips,  Epi-pens, etc.  These will be determined when you meet with the nurse.
• All medications are to be brought to the nurse's office with the proper forms by the parent or guardian.  Medications will NOT be given until all proper forms have been signed and received.
• All medications are kept in a secure area in the nurse’s office.  Only the school nurse or principal’s designees will be assisting scholars with medication.
• The school will not send home any medication with a scholar.  Medications will be released to the scholar’s parent or, to an individual at least eighteen (18) years old who has been designated.  Nurse will dispose of any medication not picked up by the end of the school year.

1. A written Physician Authorization order form which includes: (Download form)
   • Scholar’s Name
   • Name of Medication
   • Dosage
   • Time(s) to administer medicine
   • Reason for medication
   • Side effects that would require notification of the health care practitioner
   • Parent/Guardian signed consent
2. A current pharmacy-labeled container.  Pharmacies can provide 2 labeled containers, one for school and one for home.

If the medication is prescribed to be taken once or twice a day, give these medicines at home. When the medication is prescribed by the physician to be taken three times a day, (such as antibiotics), it should be given at home in the morning, after school, and in the evening.  This is an acceptable method of medication administration unless otherwise specifically ordered by the physician.  If the medication is prescribed to be taken four times a day, the nurse will be glad to accommodate you, but the above guidelines must be followed.  If your child goes on a field trip that is longer than the normal school day (24 hours or longer) the parent is responsible for providing appropriate forms and medication in a labeled bottle with instructions for the person assisting with the medications.

Non-Prescription (OTC) Medications can be dispensed by the school nurse or principal’s designee if written permission Non-Prescription Authorization (Download form) is granted by the parents or legal guardian.  The medication must be sent in the original container labeled with the child’s name.  No medication will be given to the scholar unless it is brought from home with permission.  Manufacturer’s recommended dosages will be given unless a health care practitioner approves another dose in writing.

Scholars who require the immediate availability of medication may be allowed to keep it with them rather than in the health room only in accordance with the guidelines of self-medicating.  This must be accompanied with a written Self-Medicating Authorization form (Download form) as well as the Health Services Self-Monitoring Authorization form (Download form). signed by you and your child’s medical physician. All Scholars at risk for anaphylaxis must also have completed the Anaphylaxis Medication Authorization form (Download form).  All parents/guardians of scholars carrying such medications assume responsibility for assuring that the carried medication is in a pharmacy labeled container, and is neither out-of-date nor empty.

Injectable Medications (such as insulin or Epi-Pens) may be self-administered, or may be administered by the school nurse.  If the scholar has an emergency medication (such as glucagon) to be administered by injection and cannot personally inject it, EMS will be called to the scene if the nurse is not present.  School personnel will not be expected to administer injections not supplied in auto-pen form if the nurse is not available. Download Legacy's Authorization for Medical Procedures at School form to be completed by both the legal guardian and the physician (Download form).

Each medication to be given must have a Field Trip Parental Permission paper completed.  Students may not have medications in their possession. The form (Download form) and the medication must be given to the school nurse or directly to the person administering medication on the trip at least three (3) days before the trip.  All medications must be in the original container, clearly labeled with the scholar’s name.  Only the amount of medication needed on the trip should be sent.  All scholars at risk for anaphylaxis reactions must also have completed an Anaphylaxis Medical Authorization Form (Download form).

If the medication currently is  administered at school and has the paperwork completed the parent may complete the Field Trip Form and return.  If the medication is currently given at home only and not at school, please have the correct form completed as well.  A Physician Authorization for Prescription Medication (Download form) or a Non-prescription Authorization  (Download form) must be completed and returned with the Field Trip Form.