If a student is required to take medication during school hours and the parent cannot come to the school to administer the medicine, then the school nurse will give medicine under the following certain guidelines:
The parent/legal guardian is required to deliver the medication to the school nurse and sign a district medication form.
Medication that is to be taken 1 to 3 times per day is to be given at home unless physician order states a specific time during school hours.
Do not send medications on the bus or into school with a student. All medication must be brought in by an adult in the original prescription container labeled with the following typed information:
- Student’s name
- Name of medication
- Time(s) to be administered
- Dosage
- Route or directions for use
- Approximate duration of use
- Physician’s name
- Date
- Pharmacy name, address, phone number
A non-prescription (over-the-counter) medication must also be accompanied by the medication form and in the original container with the ingredients listed for the medication. The parent must provide the same type information as that of the prescription drugs (dates, times, dosage, etc.).
The only non-prescription (over the counter) medications allowed to be given at school without a medical doctor’s order are Tylenol, Ibuprofen, TUMS, cough drops, and Benadryl (for allergic reactions only).
Over the counter medications combined cannot be provided to student more than twice a week without a physician’s order.
No medications will be given an hour before dismissal.
No more than 1 month’s supply of any medication should be brought to school.
If a student needs to self-carry an emergency medication at school, a parent/legal guardian must come in and fill out the required authorization form along with supplying a physician’s order. Self-carry requires a school nurse evaluation and may be denied due to safety concerns.
Any changes in medication must be accompanied by a new form and a new label indicating the changes. A faxed or hard copy physician’s order to change the administration of a drug is required.
A parent/guardian must pick up all medication by the last full day of school. Any medication left in the nurse’s office after the last full day of school will be destroyed.
Above and beyond the school registration form, it is the parent/legal guardian’s responsibility to notify the school nurse of any medical problems. All medical and authorization forms must be updated at the beginning of each school year.
School personnel and employees cannot be responsible for the adequacy of prescribed medications or medical treatments recommended by physicians or related medical professionals and/or supplied by pharmacist or other sources outside of the school and, therefore, will assume no responsibility for the effects of such medications or treatments upon students.
Please do not send your student to school if they are exhibiting the following symptoms: a temperature of 100.0 or greater, vomiting, or diarrhea. They must be 24 hours’ symptom free without medication to return to class.
Parents/legal guardians will be required to pick up their student from school if their student presents with the following: temperature 100 or greater, vomiting, excessive diarrhea, live head lice, live bed bugs, or per nursing assessment.
Toileting assistance requires a physician’s order related to a medical condition. Parents/legal guardians will be called to the school to assist with toileting if no current medical documentation is on file.
Students must have a pass given by their teacher before they can see the school nurse. No one is to come to the nurse’s office in between classes without a pass unless it is an emergency.
All students needing to check out because of an illness or injury must do so through the nurse’s office. The nurse is only allowed to call a legal parent/guardian to pick up a student. Written consent must be on file with attendance if another person may be called. Students are not to check out for any medical reason by using the office telephone or cell phones.
Should a student be injured during the school day or with a school-sponsored activity, an accident report must be filed with the school nurse for school accident insurance to be used.
ALLERGIES: Please note all student allergies on the registration form. In accordance with the TN Department of Education and the TN Department of Health guidelines, Bradley County Schools will adhere to procedures for Life-Threatening Allergies. A documented diagnosis is required for an individual student health plan. Bradley County Schools will not serve peanut butter in the Child Nutrition Program. Students are not to trade or share snacks or food. Students are encouraged to practice hand-washing and self-advocacy.
Per school discretion, all outside food for school events or classroom parties must be store bought with ingredients/nutrition label listed. Please check with your school principal and or school nurse to confirm whether store bought foods can be brought in for school related occasions.
Floral deliveries or latex balloons are per school discretion due to extreme allergies. Please check with your school principal and or school nurse to confirm whether floral deliveries or latex balloons are permitted.
IMMUNIZATIONS: No students entering school, including those entering Kindergarten, Middle or High School, those from out-of-state and those from nonpublic schools, will be permitted to enroll (or attend) without proof of immunization, as determined by the Commissioner of Public Health. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to have their children immunized and to provide such proof on the state required immunization certificate to the principal and or school nurse which the student is to attend. Exceptions, in the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat thereof, will be granted to any child whose parent or guardian shall file with school authorities a signed, written statement that such measures conflict with his/her religious tenets and practices; or due to medical reasons if such child has a written statement from his/her doctor excusing him from such immunization. Proof of exceptions will be in writing and filed in the same manner as other immunization records
