Medications
The State of New Jersey dictates the regulations/law regarding the administration of medication in school. Parents are encouraged to administer medications at home whenever possible. Medications should be administered in school only when necessary for the health and safety of students. (Herbal remedies and nutritional supplements are not considered medication and cannot be administered in school.)
Regarding the guidelines below, both over-the-counter and prescription drugs are considered “medication”.
The following are the only individuals legally authorized to administer medication to students in school:
- a school physician
- a school nurse
- a substitute school nurse employed by the school district
- the student’s legal parent/guardian
- the student who is approved to self-administer medication in certain life-threatening conditions, such as emergency medications for asthma attacks and epinephrine for students identified as having a history of anaphylactic reactions – paperwork must be completed in advance
Medications will not be given in school without the appropriate paperwork being completed, including a written order from the prescribing physician and written permission from the legal parent/guardian (see links for forms below). Also, the medication must be sent to school in its original container. Medication is not to be sent to school with the student. A responsible adult must transport it to school.
If the school nurse is absent and the school is unable to obtain a substitute, the medication will not be given. In this case, parents will be notified and are welcome to come to school and give the medication themselves.
If your child needs to take medication during the school day, there are some links below that you may want to use. The “General Medication Letter” gives you information about the medication policy, the “Physician Order Form” may be printed out for your child’s physician to use and the “Parent Permission Form” may be printed out for you to utilize. (See forms below)
