Medication Administration to Students 5330

Drug Preventions 5530

The Board of Education shall not be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of student illness. The administration of medication to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to do so would jeopardize the health of the student, the student would not be able to attend school if the medication were not administered during school hours, or the child is disabled and requires medication to benefit from his/her educational program. For purposes of this policy, "practitioner" shall include any physician, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist, physician assistant, and advanced practice nurse prescriber who is licensed in any state. "Medication" shall include all drugs including those prescribed by a practitioner and any nonprescription drug products. "Administer" means the direct application of a nonprescription drug product or prescription drug, whether by injection, ingestion, or other means, to the human body. "Nonprescription" drug product means any nonnarcotic drug product which may be sold without a prescription order and which is prepackaged for use by consumers and labeled in accordance with the requirements of State and Federal law. Before any prescribed medication may be administered to any student during school hours, the Board shall require the written instructions from the child's practitioner accompanied by the written authorization of the parent. Nonprescription drug products may be administered to any student during school hours only with the prior written consent of the parent. Substances, which are not FDA approved (i.e. natural products, food supplements), will require the written instruction of a practitioner and the written consent of the parent. The document authorizing the administration of both prescribed medication and nonprescription drug products shall be kept on file in the administrative offices. Only medication in its original container; labeled with the date, if a prescription; the student's name; and the exact dosage will be administered. Parents, or students authorized in writing by their practitioner and parents, may administer medication. No student is allowed to provide or sell any type of medication to another student. Violations of this rule will be considered violations of Policy 5530 Drug Prevention and of the Student Code of Conduct. Medications will be administered and the instruction and consent forms will be maintained in accordance with the District Administrator's guidelines.

Meningococcal Disease Information

Meningococcal disease, a type of meningitis, is a bacterial infection that is potentially life-threatening. It is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory and/or oral secretions from infected persons. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, exhaustion and/or a rash. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend routine meningococcal immunization for adolescents at one of the following times; 11 to 12 year olds; 15 years olds at high school entry; college freshmen living in dormitories. The meningococcal vaccine provides protection against four of the five types of bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. Immunization is the most effective way to prevent this very serious disease. For more information, please go to your healthcare provider, your local public health department, or the school nurses, Jessica Wiesman and Heather Demerath at Extension 8108.