School Nurse

The Henry County School system recognizes the need for some students to receive medications during the school day. In response to this identified need, the school system has established guidelines to ensure the safe and proper administration of medications during the school day. The goal of the school system regarding the administration of medication during the school day is to assist students in maintaining an optimal state of wellness, thus enhancing the educational experience. A nurse is available to ensure the proper administration of medications during the school day, and to ensure that issues of health do not impact negatively upon students' classroom performance and attendance.

Most medication will and should be given at home. Medications prescribed for three times a day should be given at home; just before leaving school, upon returning home in the afternoon, and at bedtime. Please contact your school's nurse if there are special conditions regarding the administration of medications during the school day.

Please be reminded that the authority to administer medication(s) to your child must come from you as the parent/guardian and the physician, when the medication is prescribed. Please do not allow your child to keep medications or medical devices, such as inhalers, with him/her during the school day, without speaking to the school nurse. Carefully review and adhere to the following guidelines below.

1. A Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the student's parent/guardian before any medication (prescription or nonprescription) may be administered to a student during the school day. The prescribing physician for a prescription must also sign the Medication Authorization Form for a medication. Please contact your school's nurse for a copy of this form.

2. For prescription medications, a pharmacy-labeled container is required which includes the student's name, doctor's name, name of medication, strength, dosage, timer interval, route, and date for drug discontinuation, when appropriate. When administration of medication is needed at school, please request an additional empty medication container from the pharmacist labeled as stated above for school use. Bring both bottles to the school nurse and she will keep part of the medication in one bottle for school use and the parent will take the other bottle home. This eliminates the unsafe practice of medication being transported back and forth from home to school and back home.

3. When the medication to be given is nonprescription medication, the medication should be brought to the school in its original container, new, unopened container. This container should identify the medication, provide all the manufacture's labeling, and the student's name. Medications, which are sent to the school in other containers or wrapped in such items as Kleenex, paper towel, etc., will not be administered to students.

4. The parent / guardian should deliver all medications to the school nurse. Students should not deliver any medications and students should not keep any medications with them during the school day. The only exception to this policy is properly authorized medications such as inhalers and epipens.

5. Once the medication has been received, the school nurse will count, inspect, and properly secure the medication.

6. The parent / guardian should pick up the student's medication which has not been used at the end of the school year.

7. Invasive procedures, including but not limited to, tracheotomy care, gastrostomy tube feeding, and medication administration by injection or rectal route shall be provided only by a registered nurse or by a licensed practical nurse under the supervision of a registered nurse and with written authorization from the physician and parent.

8. If a medication is administered to a student other than the school nurse or medication assistant, it must be administered by a parent or legal guardian.

9. Each school year, the school nurse or health/physical education will screen to check for spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, a side-to-side curve in the spine). The purpose is to recognize, at the earliest stage, any deviation from normal so that the need for treatment can be determined. Spinal screening is required annually by law for schoolchildren in the state of Alabama in Grades 5-9.

The procedure is a very simple one. The trained screener observes the child's posture while standing and bending forward. If scoliosis is suspected, your child will either be rescreened or referred. You will be notified so that you may get further evaluation from your own physician.

If your child is receiving medical care for a spinal deformity from a physician, please contact this school to request a form for your child's physician to complete in order for your child to be exempted.

Parents: If your child is sick at home with fever greater than 100 degrees, please do not send them to school until they are fever free for 24 hours. This means fever free without taking fever-reducing medication, such as, Ibuprofen (Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol). If you have questions regarding this reminder, contact Beth Givens, School Nurse, at 334-585-7080, extension 4006.