Medication Administration at School (per Parent/Student Handbook):
The student’s parent must provide medication that must be administered to a student during school hours. All medication, whether prescription or nonprescription, must be kept in the nurse’s office and administered by the nurse or another authorized district employee. The district will not purchase nonprescription medication to give to a student.
All medication should be given outside of school hours if possible. Three (3) times a day medications can be safely administered before school, after school and at bedtime.Only authorized employees, in accordance with policy FFAC, may administer medication. District employees will not give a student prescription medication, nonprescription medication, herbal substances, anabolic steroids, or dietary supplements except as noted below:
Prescription medication must be in the original, properly labeled containers. The pharmacy can supply two (2) labeled bottles for this purpose. The date on the bottle must be current within the past twelve (12) months. Medications sent in baggies or unlabeled containers will NOT be given.
Written permission of the parent or guardian is required for the administration of all medications. Medication forms are available on the GCISD website, in the Health Services section.
Ritalin and other controlled medications will require a physician’s signature as well as the parental/guardian’s signature. Medication samples also need a written prescription.
In grades K - 8, all student medication must be kept in the health clinic. Non-prescription medications, if it is to be given for more than ten (10) consecutive days, or administered for more than ten (10) doses, whichever is greater, will require a physician signature. Switching to other variations of non-prescription medication (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, Aleve) is not acceptable. Any medications left at the end of the year will be discarded if not picked up.
School personnel assigned by the principal and trained by the campus nurse may give medications. No district employee shall be required to give medication dosages in excess of FDA recommendations.
Herbal or dietary supplements provided by the parent will be administered only if required by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan for a student with disabilities. In accordance with the Nursing Practice Act, nurses will not administer supplements, herbals, essentials oils, or homeopathics, which are not FDA approved or regulated.
In accordance with a student’s individual health plan for management of diabetes, a student with diabetes will be permitted to possess and use monitoring and treatment supplies and equipment while at school or a school related activity. A diabetes management and treatment plan and the GCISD Authorization for Administration of Diabetes Management and Care Services by an Unlicensed Diabetes Care Assistant must be on file in the clinic. These forms must be renewed annually.
Sunscreen: Students whose schedules provide for regular time spent outdoors, including for recess and physical education classes, should apply sunscreen before coming to school. For students at the elementary level, the student’s teacher or other district personnel will apply sunscreen to a student’s exposed skin if the student brings the sunscreen to school and requests assistance with the application of the sunscreen. Nothing prohibits a student at this level from applying his or her own sunscreen if the student is capable of doing so. If sunscreen needs to be administered to treat any type of medical condition, this should be handled through communication with the school nurse so that the district is made aware of any safety and medical issues.
The following topical preparations may be available for the use in the nurse’s office. Unless a parent specifically states such preparations are not to be used on his/her student, they will be administered, if available, judiciously and appropriately:
Anbesol/Orajel Saline solution or equivalent
Saline solution
Bacitracin/triple antibiotic ointment or equivalent
Aloe Vera gel or equivalent
Blistex or equivalent
Sting-Kill or equivalent
Calamine/Caladryl lotion or equivalent
Lubricating eye drops
Campho-phenique or equivalent
Vaseline or equivalent
First aid spray
Bactine or equivalent
Glycogel/glucose tablets
For more information, please see the Parent/Student Handbook