My Child Needs Medication At School

Each year when you complete an updated registration form for your student (this year's registration is all online), you are asked to give or decline permission for the school nurse to administer different types of over-the-counter medications.  My practice is to call parents prior to giving a dose to ensure permission is in place and also to be certain that a dose was not already given that morning.  See our district policy on student health services HERE and First Aid & Emergency Medical Care HERE.

Additionally, sometimes students need to take medication at a specific time during the school day, or, students may need a specific medication at school only if a specific problem comes up.  Medication in both instances might be prescription (prescribed by a health care provider) or over-the-counter (purchased by the parent/guardian).

Examples of common prescription medications given during the school day:

• Antibiotics

• ADHD medications

• Migraine medications

• Seizure medications or other medications

Examples of common over-the-counter medications given during the school day:

• Lactaid (with milk/ meals)

• Pain relievers such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

• Specific allergy medications  (if missed at home before school or if symptoms start at school)

• Acid-reducing medications (prior to meals)

There are very specific Laws in the State of New Hampshire that permit School Nurses to give medication at school.  Click HERE to read the specific rules.  All school districts must have written policies to guide safe and appropriate medication administration in school.  As required, Portsmouth School Department has a medication administration policy .

FYI: Students should take the first dose of any new medication at home where they can be carefully watched to be sure they will not have any side effects.

To have medication administered (given) to your child during the school day:

Step ONE:  Please contact me by phone at 603-436-2231 ext. 1003 or email sgagne@sau52.org to discuss your child's needs. 

Step TWO:  Fill- out & sign the Parent/ Guardian portion of the Medication Administration Request Form.  You can download the necessary form if you are able to print it at home, pick it up at Dondero, or I can send it to you by mail or home with your child

Step THREE: Return the form to me; If the requested medication is over-the-counter (non-prescription), go to step FIVE.

Step FOUR:  If the requested medication is prescription, I will fax it to the prescribing health care provider to complete the medication order.

OR

                  You can take the medication administration form to the prescribing health care provider for completion  of the medication administration request form, then bring the completed forms to me at Dondero.

Step FIVE:  Bring a supply of medication to me at school.  Prescription medications must be in a pharmacy-labeled container with the prescription label intact.  Over-the-Counter medications must be in unopened and original packaging.  Please note, ALL medications must be brought in to school by a responsible adult. Students are not permitted to transport medications unless approved by a medical provider (inhaler/epi-pen).

***If your child needs emergency allergy medication (epinephrine injector) or a "rescue" asthma inhaler (albuterol),  please go directly to the EpiPen or Asthma page.