Note from the Health Office

 
Dear Parents:
 
Greetings from the nursing department. As we look ahead to the next calendar school year, I would like to forward you a copy of our acetaminophen/ibuprofen authorization form and reacquaint you with our present medication policies. Summer time often affords time to be able to plan ahead and secure physician authorizations for medications needed for the approaching school year.
 
All medications, both over-the-counter and prescription medications given during the school day need to be authorized by a physician and a parent. The authorization should be forwarded to the school, and any prescribed medication needs to be brought in by a responsible adult. The medication must be in the original container with the student’s name, name of medication, and dosage clearly written on the label, and no more than a 90-day supply.   The high school and middle schools do keep a supply of 200mg ibuprofen and 325mg acetaminophen tablets, therefore eliminating the need for parents to supply those medications. Please note that any alternative forms such as liquid or chewable ibuprofen or acetaminophen must be supplied by the parent. Medication authorization forms are available at each of the health offices in all schools, or may be downloaded from the district website at www.region18.org.
 
If you would like your student to be able to receive ibuprofen or acetaminophen during school hours specifically for relief of simple headache, menstrual cramps, or discomfort due to orthodontic treatment (braces),  please complete the enclosed form that has been authorized by Dr. Sikand, our medical advisor, and forward it to your student’s school nursing office. This policy will consist of limiting the administration of three doses of medication within a 30 day period on an as needed basis and does not apply to overnight field trips, extracurricular sports, or extracurricular activities. Should your student require pain relief for any other reason such as chronic headache requiring frequent use of analgesic relief or muscular pain due to illness or injury, an authorization must be obtained from your student’s physician.
 
Please note that due to the changing patterns of illness with the Covid-19 virus, throat lozenges for relief of sore/dry throat must be authorized by the child’s physician for use during the school day.
 
All medications are to be administered by the school nurse (or in her absence a qualified school employee) with the exception of epipens and inhalers which may be kept with the student with authorization from the physician and parent.
 
As a reminder, students attending over-night school field trips who may require medication of any type (controlled or over-the-counter) will require authorization from a physician and a parent. At the high school level, students are permitted to carry non-controlled medications such as ibuprofen, allergy medications, and antibiotics with authorization from the physician, parent, and school nurse. Controlled medications are to be given by an authorized teacher, administrator, or school nurse. At the middle school level only epipens and inhalers are permitted to be carried with the student with proper authorization.
 
As a reminder, the HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability Accountability Privacy Act) Privacy Rule is in effect. This federally regulated law means that our health office staff will be unable to have access to your child’s medical records from their physician without proper authorization from a parent. It is the sole responsibility of the student or parent to submit physical examination forms and health records for mandated requirements.
 
For your convenience, a medication authorization form for the administration of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is provided. This form needs to be renewed annually. If you require any clarification of these medical policies, please contact your child’s school nurse. Samantha Piette is the middle school nurse and may be reached at 860 434-4444 (x2008) or piettes@region18.org. Melissa Seckla is the high school nurse and may be reached at 860 434-4444 (x1004) or secklam@region18.org
 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Ellen Maus RN, BSN
Regional School District #18 Nurse Coordinator