Please keep the following guidelines in mind when bringing medications:
- All medications (prescription and non-prescription/over the counter) which are required at school will not be accepted without the required physician/parent authorization. All medication authorizations should be renewed yearly. Medication Authorization
Forms are located on each campus in the nurse’s office and digitally by clicking here.
- Prescription medication will be administered in accordance with legal requirements.
- All medication (prescription and over the counter -OTC) must be in the original prescription or over-the-counter container. Medication brought to the clinic in containers such as, but not limited to, plastic wrap or bags, foil, jars, paper towels, envelopes, etc. will NOT be accepted or administered by school staff.
- ASK PHARMACY FOR AN EXTRA LABELED BOTTLE FOR MEDICATION GIVEN AT HOME & AT SCHOOL. Pharmacy labels must include student name, name of medication, dose, time of administration, and any other special instructions.
- All medications shall be delivered by a parent or guardian to the school nurse where the medications will be kept in the school clinic. Medications may not be kept in the classroom or administered by a teacher in the classroom.
- These medications will be administered as directed on the label, unless otherwise directed by the doctor in writing. A medication authorization from the doctor is required before any medication is administered in the school setting by school staff (Ex. of OTC meds: Tylenol, Advil, Mucinex, cough syrups, cough drops etc.)
Prescription Medications: All prescription medications must be brought into the clinic and picked up by an adult. All prescription medication will be logged in on the day received, noting name, dose, and number of pills. Prescription bottles must be current, within 30 days of being filled by a pharmacist. These will be always kept in a locked cabinet in the nurse’s office. A reminder note will be sent home with the student to inform the parent of the need for refill medications. Medications will not be accepted if not in their correct containers, and a parent will be called to come to pick up the medication. The school health personnel will make themselves familiar with the type of medication being taken to help be prepared for any adverse reactions or problems.
ANY controlled substances:
- Must be brought to school by the parent/guardian, do not send these medications to school with your child.
- Must have a physician order on file every year
- It MUST be in the original container, and
- We can only keep a 30 day supply of the medication
- Can only be given as directed on the label.
Under NO circumstances will these medications be released to the student to take home. A responsible parent/guardian must pick these up.
Over the counter medications: All OTC (Ex. of OTC meds: Tylenol, Advil, Mucinex, cough syrups, cough drops etc.) medications must have a medication administration consent form signed by parent and physician authorizing school personnel to administer the medications as directed on the label. These medications must be in their original container, a physician's note is required. Even if the student is eighteen years of age, if they are living at home with a parent, the parent must give written permission for the student to have medications administered at school and a physician must authorize the administration of the medication. Only if the student is eighteen years of age and living on their own will they be allowed to write their own note for administration.
Medicine at School: We encourage you to send your child to school, but not if they are ill. Students running a fever, vomiting during the night, having pink eye, or an eye infection, unexplained rash, etc. should not be sent to school. Students are not allowed back in school until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducers. District employees will give a student prescription or non-prescription medication if the following guidelines are met:
- All medications (prescription/non-prescription) must be delivered to school by the parent/guardian accompanied by a completed medication request form and physician authorization form. The prescription medication must be in the original prescription bottle and properly labeled (including antibiotics, eye/ear drops, etc.). Controlled substances must be delivered and picked up by parent/guardian. Examples of controlled substances include Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin, Tylenol w/Codeine, Hydrocodone, etc.
- If the substance is herbal/homeopathic or a dietary supplement, it must be delivered by the parent and will only be administered if required by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan for a student with disabilities. The school is not allowed to furnish aspirin, Tylenol, etc. You may deliver it to the nurse to give it to your child by following the above requirements. Under no circumstances will medicines be given that do not meet the above requirements. If you have any health-related questions, our school nurse will be available daily from 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- All medications must be picked up by the parent/guardian at the end of the school year or until the maximum days of administration are met.
- Parents should make every effort to schedule medications ordered to be given 3 times a day or less, and are expected to be given at home, unless specified by the doctor for a specific time during school hours. Only medications that cannot be given at home will be given at school.
- a. medication 2 times daily: before school and at bedtime
- b. medication 3 times daily: before school, after school, bedtime
- c. medication 4 times daily: before school, at school at lunchtime, after school, bedtime
Asthma: A student with asthma who has written authorization from his or her parent and physician or other licensed health care provider may be permitted, at the student’s discretion, to possess and use prescribed asthma medication at school or school-related events. The student and parents should see the school nurse or principal if the student has been prescribed asthma medication for use during the school day. [For further information, see policies at FFAC.]
Asthma Inhalers and Epi-Pen Use: Asthma inhalers can be carried by the student as a result of House Bill 1688. According to Texas Education Code Chapter 38, Section 38.015, students are permitted to possess and self-administer prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine. The student must demonstrate to the student’s physician or healthcare provider, and the school nurse if available, that they demonstrate the skills necessary to self-administer the medication. The physician and parents must sign an authorization form indicating consent to self-administer and specific information that provides details outlining whether the student has asthma or anaphylaxis, and the purpose, dosage, frequency, and duration of the medication to be self-administered. The student and parents should see the school nurse or principal if the student has been prescribed asthma medication for use during the school day. [For further information, see policies at FFAC.]
- Students can self-carry and administer emergency medications at school with written permission from their parents and physician. This includes medications like asthma inhalers, epinephrine pens and diabetic supplies. The student must also demonstrate to their physician or other health care provider and to the school/campus nurse that they have the skills to self-administer the medication.
Nebulizer treatments for the 2024-2025 will not be performed by the campus Nurse. Please speak with your physician about utilizing an inhaler with a chamber and mask for students requiring treatment throughout the day.