My Child Needs to Take Medicine at School
by Bill Fritcher
August 23, 2006
Some parents have been asking what they need to do if their child is required to take medications at school. The complete medication policy and procedure can be found on page 8 of the Unit #50 Handbook given to each family at registration. Please take the time to read the entire policy. Please remember that the policy is dictated largely by state law and is not discretionary. In other words, Unit #50 does not have the authority to alter the guidelines set forth in the law.
A couple of major highlights of the policy include the following:
1. No medication, prescription or over-the-counter, may be taken at school without written authorization from a doctor licensed to practice in the state of Illinois. A form for this purpose can be obtained in any of the schools in Unit #50.
2. No student is allowed to carry medication at school, either prescription or over-the-counter. The only exceptions to this are epipens and inhalers. In order for a student to legally carry one of those two items, a doctor's authorization must be on file in the school office. The doctor's authorization must be completed on a yearly basis.
3. A parent signature page is required for all medication given at school. These forms are also available in the school offices.
Questions about the policy can be directed to your child's principal or the school nurse.
