Medication To Be Given at School

 

   The Allenstown School District recognizes that parents have the primary resposibility for the health of their children.   Although it is recommended that medication be given in  the home, occasionally it is necessary that medication be given during school hours.   Please confer with your child's physician to arrange medication time and intervals to avoid school hours whenever possible.   In the event that medication must be taken in school certain procedures must be followed.

 

Administrative Rule ED311.02 specifies that:

"A parent, guardian or designated responsible adult shall deliver all prescription medicine to be administered by the school personnel to the school nurse or other responsible person designated by the school nurse."

 

"If another designated adult is to deliver medication to school, the nurse must notified in advance by the parent or guardian of the delivery and the quantity of prescription medicine delivered to the school is specified.

 

NO CHILDREN WILL BE ALLOWED TO TRANSPORT MEDICATION TO SCHOOL

 

1.   A medication form must be signed by a physician and the parent for all prescription medications.

 

2.   Over the counter medications require parental permission using a form provided by the school or a hand written note stating the name of the student, name of medication, dosage, time and route to be administered.   Medication must have the manufacturer's label.   At no time will medicine be given to a student that arrives in any other fashion than the manufacturers packaging.

 

3.   All medication must be in the original container labeled with the student's name, dosage, route and time to be administered.

 

4.   Medication will be administered by the school nurse or another member of the school staff designated by the school principal.

 

5.   Parents of children who require medication should consult first with the school nurse to develop an appropriate plan for the administration of that medication.

 

6.   A new medication form must be filled out annually by the physician, to make sure that the student's medical condition is being followed closely.

 

7.   Bring in enough medication for one month at a time.

 

8.   It is the parent's responsibility to count out the number of pills brought to school and to make note of the date at home when the student will need another supply of medication to be brought to school.   Parents should note: Some medications need a physician's office visit before the medications can be renewed.   Appointments need to be made in advance to keep the continuity of the medication's administration.

 

9.   Any student in grades K-8 under the above regulations must be assisted by the school nurse or designated person.

 

 

Self-Administration of Medication by Students

 

Asthma, Inhalers/Epinephrine-all students under 18 shall follow Regulation Ed.311.02, House Bills 57 and 92 effective August 15,2003 by the General Court of the State of New Hampshire Legislature.

 

The legislature has acted to allow students to possess and self-administer asthma inhalers and epinephrine when specific provisions are met (see HB 57 and 92).   Provisions include prescriptions as well as the parent/guardian's written approval.   Schools shall not prohibit students from carrying these medications if the appropriate paperwork is in place.   These provisions, according to the law, provide immunity for the school system.

 

 

Epinephrine Pens

 

Epinephrine Pens will be administered by the child (if able) or by the school nurse for those students known to have an allergic reaction.   For field trips, a parent or staff member designated by the principal must be trained by the parent to administer in the event the student is unable to do so.

 

Thw State of New Hampshire(HB#1272 approved 6/27/00 amended RSA 318.42 VII) and the Allenstown School Board (approved 12/6/00) allows school district Registered Nurses to possess administer epinephrine to student for emergency treatment anaphylaxis.

 

Asthma

 

The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology recommends students with asthma be permitted to have in their possession inhaled medication for the treatment of asthma symptoms when the student's physician prescribes them.   It is reasonable to expect that the student requiring inhaled medication be sufficiently responsible and discreet in its use to avoid drawing attention to treatment.   The school nurse still needs a parental and a physician's note on a yearly basis, stating the student may carry his or her own inhaler.   School officials will discuss with parents or student's physician any problems regarding appropriate and responsible use of these inhaled medications.

 

Peanut Allergies

 

An adverse reaction to foods with peanut and peanut oil is swelling, tightness, in the throat, difficulty breathing, which can be life threatening reaction resulting in death.   The key word is safety for all our students. In providing a safe environment for students with this serious life threatening situation a policy needs to be followed.   If a student in your child's classroom has a peanut allergy a letter will be mailed home at the beginning of the school year with a list of foods to avoid as well as a list of foods that are safe for snack time.   Food needs to come to school with the original label to assure a safe environment.   Snack time is not to be combined with any other classrooms.    There are no art projects containing peanuts.   The cafeteria does not provide snacks that contain peanut or peanut oil.   In the lunch room there is a designated table for students with known peanut allergies labeled "Peanut Allergy Free Table".   All students that are served hot lunches are welcome and encouraged to sit at this table.   Students that bring lunch from home must sit in the cold lunch section.   After eating lunch they will line up to wash their hands before going out to recess.