Medication, Asthma, and Seizures

Medical Information:

Each student must have a "health information sheet" on file with the school nurse. This information helps us care for your child in case of an emergency.

Medication at School:

All medicine is to be brought to and kept in the school nurse’s office.
Prescription and non-prescription medicine must be in the original container. Prescription medicine must be in a container with the pharmacy label for that student (this includes inhalers and Epi-pens as well). Medicines provided in baggies or other unlabeled containers will not be given to your child.
If a prescription or non-prescription medicine must be given during the school day, it must be accompanied by a medication consent form signed by a parent or guardian giving authorized school personnel directions for its administration. See "medical forms" link in sidebar.

Please make every effort to give regularly scheduled medicines at home so your child doesn't have to miss class. For example, if medicine is to be given 3 times a day, you can give it at 7 a.m., 4 p.m. and bedtime.

*Students who carry and self-administer their inhaler for asthma, at school or school-related events, must have a note from their physician giving them permission to carry and self-administer their inhaler plus a parent signed medication consent form.

All paper work must be on file with the school nurse before this will be allowed.

Please contact your campus nurse if you need any additional information.

Medication Information and Forms

OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION POLICY

Van Alstyne ISD

OTC Medication Policy

The Texas Board of Nursing has given guidance to school nurses regarding OTC medication in the school setting. Based upon the current Texas Board of Nursing recommendation, Van Alstyne ISD will no longer administer OTC medications WITHOUT a Licensed Provider’s order/authorization. VAISD, in partnership with our Medical Advisor/Physician, updated the district standing orders to include several over-the-counter medications that can be given by the school nurse and Van Alstyne trained staff. If your student needs over-the-counter medications not listed on VAISD’s medication standing order list (medications kept at school), Van Alstyne ISD nursing staff will require a Licensed Provider’s order/authorization to administer the medication in accordance with the Texas Board of Nursing licensing standards.

The district provides the following over-the counter (OTC) standing orders:

Benadryl age 6 or older (for emergencies only), Calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, Vaseline, eye wash, aloe gel, Children’s Tylenol, cough drops for children age 7 and older, Neosporin, Hydrogen Peroxide, Steri-Strips, Lotion (fragrance free), rubbing alcohol, antimicrobial cleanser, glucose gel/tabs, Second Skin (burn pads).

A parent/guardian may opt in/out of any or all of these medications in the registration portal. If a parent/guardian does not complete and sign the Stock Medication Permission Form, no over-the-counter medications will be administered to the student. In instances where standing orders are utilized, nurses will assess whether such orders apply to a given student’s situation.

Tylenol will not be given at school for more than two consecutive days in a row and will not be administered at school to treat fever. Cough drops will not be administered more than two per week. If the school nurse determines that a student is continuously requesting standing order medications that are kept in the clinic, the school nurse will contact the parent to discuss the student’s health needs.

Over-the-counter medications not listed above and/or kept in the school clinic will require a physician’s order/authorization. A written request will be required from a physician or other healthcare professional with authority to write prescriptions to administer non-prescription OTC medications.

The school nurse may give up to 10 doses of the physician order/authorized nonprescription medication. If a parent/guardian wishes to continue the OTC medication past 10 days, the parent/guardian will be required to obtain additional authorization and/or a prescription from a physician or other healthcare professional with authority to write prescriptions.

All medications brought to school must adhere to the following guidelines:

This medication must be in the original container, properly labeled container and labeled for dosage appropriate to the student’s age/weight.
Only medications that can’t be given at home will be given at school.
For student safety, all medications must be brought to the clinic by a parent/guardian.
For the safety of all students, no student should bring medication to school without it being kept in the clinic with the appropriate authorized form or forms.
It is recommended that the first dose of any medication be administered by a parent.
All medications given at school must have a completed and signed VAISD Medication Administration Form turned into the school nurse before the school nurse will administer the medication.
Expired medications WILL NOT be given.
Medications stored in the school clinic must be picked up by the parent/guardian before the last day of school. No unused medication will be sent home with a student and any unused medication left at the end of the school year will be destroyed.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to your school nurse or contact Norma Thomas, Health and Wellness Lead Nurse at 903-712-1909 or email at [email protected]

Kind regards,

Norma Thomas, RN

Health and Wellness Lead Nurse

VAISD PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION POLICY

Van Alstyne ISD

Prescription Medication Policy

Prescription medications are considered to be any pills, liquids, inhalers, sprays, cough drops, topically applied creams and ointments, eye drops, and injectable medications such as epinephrine.

Intramuscular medications such as epinephrine will only be administered in emergencies. Only insulin, asthma inhalers, or emergency epinephrine may be considered for student self-carry. All student self-carry medications must have physician/prescriber permission.

All medications brought to school must adhere to the following guidelines:

The medication must be in the original, properly labeled container and labeled for dosage appropriate to the student’s age/weight. Prescription instructions must be on the label.
Only medications that can’t be given at home will be given at school.
For student safety, all medications must be brought to the clinic by a parent/ guardian.
For the safety of all students, no student should bring medication to school without it being kept in the clinic with the appropriate authorized form(s).
It is recommended that the first dose of any medication be administered by a parent.
All medications given at school must have a completed and signed VAISD Medication Administration Form turned into the school nurse before the school nurse will administer the medication.
Expired medications WILL NOT be given.
Medications stored in the school clinic must be picked up by the parent/guardian before the last day of school. No unused medication will be sent home with a student and any unused medication left at the end of the school year will be destroyed.
Controlled substances such as certain pain medications and ADD/ADHD medications must be dropped off in the school clinic and counted by both the school nurse and the parent/guardian.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to your school nurse or contact Norma Thomas, Health and Wellness Lead Nurse at 903-712-1909 or email at [email protected]

Kind regards,

Norma Thomas, RN

Health and Wellness Lead Nurse

VAISD HERBAL AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENT POLICY

Van Alstyne ISD

Herbal and Dietary Supplement Policy

Herbal and Dietary Supplements that are brought to school must adhere to the following guidelines to be given to students:

Alternative herbals and supplements must be in the original, properly labeled container and labeled for dosage appropriate to the student’s age/weight.
Must be accompanied by a patient information sheet listing all active ingredients, actions, and side effects.
An Individualized Action Plan or Section 504 plan must be in place in order to administer herbal and dietary supplements.
Only alternative herbals and supplements that can’t be given at home will be given at school.
For student safety, all medications, supplements, and herbals must be brought to the clinic by a parent/guardian.
For the safety of all students, no student should bring any medication, including herbals and supplements to school without it being kept in the clinic with the appropriate authorized form(s).
It is recommended that the first dose of any medication, herbal or supplement be administered by a parent.
All medications, herbals, and supplements given at school must have a completed and signed VAISD Medication Administration Form turned into the school nurse before the school nurse will administer them.
Expired products WILL NOT be given.
Medications, including herbals and supplements, that are stored in the school clinic must be picked up by the parent/guardian before the last day of school. No substance will not be sent home with a student, and any unused medication, herbals, and/or supplements left at the end of the school year will be destroyed.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to your school nurse or contact Norma Thomas, Health and Wellness Lead Nurse at 903-712-1909 or email at [email protected]

Kind regards,

Norma Thomas, RN

Health and Wellness Lead Nurse