HEALTH ROOM INFORMATION

PROCEDURES FOR DISPENSING OF MEDICATION

The following procedures for administration of medication in school have been established with your child’s safety and welfare in mind:

Medication, both prescribed and over-the-counter, should not be administered in school unless absolutely necessary.  The district does not provide medication for students. All medications must be provided by the parent/guardian. If it is crucial for your child to take medication during the school day, please use these guidelines:

1. Students are not permitted to possess prescription medication or over-the-counter medication at any time during the school day or at school activities/functions.

2. Students are permitted to carry asthma inhalers,  Epi-Pens, after the required written authorization by the student's PCP has been received and reviewed by the nurse. Students may carry sunscreen with parent permission.

3. An adult must deliver medication directly to a nurse.

4. Medications may only be dispensed by a school nurse or licensed health room nurse.

5. All medication must come to school in the original container.

6. Medication prescribed by an authorized health care provider must be accompanied by an Authorization for Medication  or equivalent form signed by the parent and the prescriber.

7. A prescriber’s authorization is not required for administration of commonly used over the counter medications approved by the school physician (examples: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Benadryl). Over the counter medications will only be administered based on labeled directions unless accompanied by an authorized prescriber’s written order. Contact the school nurse if you are unsure if your child’s over the counter medication is on the approved list.

8. Medication will not be given to a student having a recent traumatic injury unless previously assessed by a health care provider and written permission from an authorized prescriber and a parent/guardian is submitted.

9. Any chemical substance whose manufacturing and distribution process is not approved by the FDA will not be administered during school hours by the nursing staff. This includes, but is not limited to, homeopathic remedies, essential oils, herbal preparations and dietary supplements.

10. The parent/guardian will be notified of any medication that is to be picked up from school. If medications are not picked up by an adult at a predetermined time on the last student day of school, the medication will be delivered to Student Services for proper disposal.

ANY MEDICATION THAT IS NOT BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY A PARENT / ADULT, IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER, AND DOES NOT HAVE REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION WILL NOT BE ADMINISTERED.

SCHOOL SPONSORED FIELD TRIPS

For any student requiring medication on a school-sponsored field trip, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to contact the teacher and the school nurse to plan for proper administration of medication on the trip. Medication will not automatically be sent on field trips.

• Authorization to Carry and Self-Administer Inhaler

• Authorization to Carry and Self-Administer Epi-Pen

• Permission for Possession and Use of Sunscreen

• Medication Authorization

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (other than COVID-19)

The following regulations for the duration of exclusion from school will be strictly enforced:

No child, absent or excluded from class by reason of one of the diseases listed below, shall return to school before the specified time has expired. This regulation refers to the following:

Chicken Pox/Shingles: 5 days from last crop of vesicles or when lesions are dry and crusted over

       Conjunctivitis(pink eye): 24 hours after initiation of treatment

       German Measles: 7 days from onset or when rash is gone; temp. is normal

       Measles: 5 days from onset rash

       Mumps: 5 days after onset or of swelling

       Scarlet Fever: 7 days from onset or 1 day after appropriate antibiotics

       Whooping Cough: 4 weeks from onset or 7 days after antibiotics

       Norovirus: No vomiting/diarrhea for 48 hours

       Strep Throat: 1 day after initiation of appropriate antibiotics

       Pertussis: After 5 days of appropriate antibiotics

A doctor’s release is required before a child returns to school in cases of: Scabies, Impetigo, and prolonged absence due to injury or illness.

IMMUNIZATION

The Superintendent shall: annually review the State standard for immunization of pupils and direct the responsible district personnel accordingly: inform parents and guardians of children prior to their entry to school for the first time of the requirements of immunization, the requisite proof of immunization, the exemption available for religious or medical reasons and the means by which such exemptions may be claimed; and investigate and recommend to the Board such district-sponsored programs of immunization as may from time to time be warranted by circumstances and the health of the school community.  Any such program is subject to Board approval and should be conducted in cooperation with local health agencies.

PROCEDURES IN SCHOOL HEALTH ROOM

The East Penn School District has a set of Standing Orders from the Chief School Physician directing treatment of students who visit the health room.  A copy of these Standing Orders is displayed in each health room and is available to parents.