Student Medication
Taking medication during school hours or during school-related activities is prohibited unless it is necessary for a student’s health and well-being. When a student’s licensed health care provider and parent/guardian believe that it is necessary for the student to take a medication during school hours or school-related activities, the parent/guardian must request that the school dispense the medication to the child by completing a “School Medication Authorization Form.”
No school or SASED employee is allowed to administer to any student, or supervise a student’s self-administration of, any prescription or non-prescription medication until a completed and signed School Medication Authorization Form is submitted by the student’s parent/guardian. No student is allowed to possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication on school grounds or at a school-related function other than as provided for in this procedure.
Self-Administration of Medication
A student may possess and self-administer an epinephrine injector (e.g., EpiPen®) and/or an asthma inhaler or medication prescribed for use at the student’s discretion, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a School Medication Authorization Form.
Students who are diabetic may possess and self-administer diabetic testing supplies and insulin if authorized by the student’s diabetes care plan, which must be on file with the school.
Students with epilepsy may possess and self-administer supplies, equipment and medication, if authorized by the student’s seizure action plan, which must be on file with the school.
Students may self-administer (but not possess on their person) other medications required under a qualified plan, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a School Medication Authorization Form.
SASED shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from a student’s self-administration of medication, including asthma medication or epinephrine injectors, or medication required under a qualifying plan. A student’s parent/guardian must indemnify and hold harmless SASED and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising out of a student’s self-administration of an epinephrine injector, asthma medication, and/or a medication required under a qualifying plan.
Administration of Medical Cannabis
In accordance with the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program, qualifying students are allowed to utilize medical cannabis infused products while at school and school events. A plan will be developed outlining person’s responsible for administration as well as location. Please contact the Program Administrator for additional information. Discipline of a student for being administered a product by a designated caregiver pursuant to this procedure is prohibited. SASED may not deny a student attendance at a school solely because he or she requires administration of the product during school hours.
Undesignated Medications
The school may maintain the following undesignated prescription medications for emergency use: (1) Asthma medication; (2) Epinephrine injectors; (3) Opioid antagonists; and (4) Glucagon. No one, including without limitation, parents/guardians of students, should rely on the school or the Cooperative for the availability of undesignated medication. This procedure does not guarantee the availability of undesignated medications. Students and their parents/guardians should consult their own physician regarding these medication(s).
Emergency Aid to Students
Nothing in this policy shall prohibit any school employee from providing emergency assistance to students, including administering medication.
Notification of Undesignated Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
SASED stocks undesignated epinephrine auto-injectors (UEA) at Southeast Alternative School and the Administrative Center Transition Program Area in case of emergency. Administration of UEAs by trained staff shall occur when there is a good faith belief that a student is having an anaphylactic reaction, whether such reactions are known to the parent or not. SASED and the prescribing physician(s)/physician assistant(s)/advanced practice registered nurse(s) are protected from liability when the school nurse and/or trained personnel administer a UEA to any student when these individuals in good faith professionally believe that the student is having an anaphylactic reaction. In the event of an anaphylactic emergency, trained staff will administer the epinephrine auto-injector, call 9-1-1, call the student’s family/guardian, and monitor the student for the need of a second dose prior to when emergency responders arrive. No one, including without limitation parents/guardians of students, should rely on SASED for the availability of an epinephrine auto-injector as availability is not guaranteed.
If your child has diabetes and requires assistance with managing this condition while at school and school functions, a Diabetes Care Plan must be submitted to the Program Administrator. Parents/guardians are responsible for and must:
Inform the school in a timely manner of any change which needs to be made to the Diabetes Care Plan on file with the school for their child.
Inform the school in a timely manner of any changes to their emergency contact numbers or contact numbers of health care providers.
Sign the Diabetes Care Plan.
Grant consent for and authorize designated SASED representatives to communicate directly with the health care provider whose instructions are included in the Diabetes Care Plan.
For further information, please contact the Program Administrator.
State law requires the Cooperative to annually inform parents of students with life-threatening allergies or life-threatening chronic illnesses of the applicable provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable federal statutes, state statutes, federal regulations and state rules.
If your student has a life-threatening allergy or life-threatening chronic illness, please notify the Program Administrator.
Federal law protects students from discrimination due to a disability that substantially limits a major life activity. If your student has a qualifying disability, an individualized Section 504 Plan will be developed and implemented to provide the needed supports so that your student can access his or her education as effectively as students without disabilities.
Not all students with life-threatening allergies and life-threatening chronic illnesses may be eligible under Section 504. The Cooperative may also be able to appropriately meet a student's needs through other means.
While it is not possible for the School or District to completely eliminate the risks of an anaphylactic emergency, SASED maintains a comprehensive policy on anaphylaxis prevention, response, and management in order to reduce these risks and provide accommodations and proper treatment for anaphylactic reactions. Parent(s)/guardian(s) and students who desire more information or who want a copy of SASED’s policy may contact the Program Administrator.
Students should be kept home from school when they are ill. Symptoms include:
Fever – above 100
Sores on the skin with pus or liquid drainage
Unexplained rash or blisters
Diarrhea – more than 3 stools in 24 hours
Vomiting – more than 2 or more times in 24 hours
Cough that disturbs normal activity
Unexplained shortness of breath
Wheezing
Chills
Unexplained stiff back or neck
Abdominal cramps or pain
Students who have symptoms of communicable diseases will be excluded from school. Parents should keep their child home from school until they do not have symptoms or present a statement from a licensed healthcare provider that the child is not contagious and may return to school. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school nurse.
Head Lice
The school will observe the following procedures regarding head lice.
Parents are required to notify the school nurse if they suspect their child has head lice.
The school will provide written instructions to parents or guardians regarding appropriate treatment for the infestation.
A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect individuals and, because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads sustainably. Your child’s school and SASED play an essential role, along with the local health department and emergency management agencies, in protecting the public’s health and safety during a pandemic or other health emergency.
During a pandemic or other health emergency, you will be notified in a timely manner of all changes to the school environment and schedule that impact your child. Please be assured that even if school is not physically in session, it is the goal of the school and SASED to provide your child with the best educational opportunities possible.
Additionally, please note the following:
All decisions regarding changes to the school environment and schedule, including a possible interruption of in-person learning, will be made by the superintendent in consultation with and, if necessary, at the direction of the Governor, Illinois Department of Public Health, local health department, emergency management agencies, and/or Regional Office of Education.
Available learning opportunities may include remote and/or blended learning. Blended learning may require your child to attend school on a modified schedule.
Students will be expected to participate in blended and remote instruction as required by the school and SASED. Parents are responsible for ensuring the participation of their child. Students who do not participate in blended or remote learning will be considered truant.
All school disciplinary rules remain in effect during the interruption of in-person learning. Students are subject to discipline for disrupting the remote learning environment to the same extent that discipline would be imposed for disruption of the traditional classroom.
Students and parents will be required to observe all public health and safety measures implemented by the school and SASED in conjunction with state and local requirements.
During a pandemic or other health emergency, the school and SASED will ensure that educational opportunities are available to all students.
School personnel will work closely with students with disabilities and other vulnerable student populations to minimize the impact of any educational disruption.
Students who have a compromised immune system, live with an individual with a compromised immune system, or have a medical condition that may impact their ability to attend school during a pandemic or other public health emergency should contact school officials.
During a pandemic or other health emergency, teachers and school staff will receive additional training on health and safety measures.
In accordance with SASED or state mandates, the school may need to conduct a daily health assessment of your child. Parents and students will be notified of the exact assessment procedures if this becomes necessary.
Parents should not send their child to school if their child exhibits any symptoms consistent with the pandemic or other health emergency.
Please do not hesitate to contact school or SASED officials if you have any concerns regarding your child’s education, health or safety.