- Newburyport Public Schools
- Medications
Medications
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Newburyport Public School Department has adopted student medication policies in accordance with Massachusetts State Laws. These policies have been designed for the safety of all students attending the Newburyport Schools.
For any prescription medication (daily or as needed) to be given during the school day, the parent must complete the Daily/As Needed Medication Admin Parental Consent form and obtain a physician's medication order.
- Medications cannot be given during before-school and after-school programs and organized activities (e.g., sports, clubs), as there is no nurse available during these times. Contact your school nurse for further information.
- Parents/guardians must pick up all unused, discontinued, or outdated medications at the end of each school year. Uncollected medications will be destroyed by the school nurse according to Massachusetts regulation.
If you have any questions, contact your child’s School Nurse. Click on the Medication Protocols to see the guidelines the Newburyport School Nurses use under the direction of the school physician. For younger children, parents are consulted before medication is given.
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If your child needs to take prescription medication during the school day, please do the following:
- Download a copy of the Medication Consent Form or contact your child’s school nurse for a copy.
- Have your child’s doctor complete the Medication Administration Form. This form must be signed by the doctor and the parent/guardian. Note: a doctor’s signature is not required for short-term medication (less than 10 days).
- Deliver the medication to the school nurse. Parents/guardians must bring the medication to the school nurse. Do not send in medication with your child.
- Medication must be supplied in the original container and labeled with the pharmacy label.
- We cannot accept “loose” medication in baggies.
- If the medication is also taken at home, ask the pharmacy to dispense with medication in two separate containers, one for home and one for school.
- Only 30 days worth of medication can be accepted at a time.
Students may not self-administer medication in school unless they have been approved to do so by the School Nurse. Contact your child’s School Nurse for further information.
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Parent/Guardian permission is required for all over-the-counter medications given during the school day. Nurses may give the following over-the-counter medications during the day if parents/guardians have approved these on the Parent Health Portal or signing the new student health form:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Emergency Anaphylaxis Treatment (Epinephrine)
- Bacitracin Ointment
- Benadryl
- Calamine Lotion
- Cough Drops - Sugar Free
- Hand Sanitizer 60-70% Ethanol Alcohol
- 1% Hydrocortisone Ointment
- Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
- Peroxyl Mouth Rinse (Antiseptic Oral Cleanser)
- Pramoxine HCL 1% (Sting Relief Pads)
- Tums
If your child needs to take any other over-the-counter medication during the school day, please do the following:
- Download a copy of the Medication Consent Form or contact your child’s school nurse for a copy.
- Complete and sign the Medication Administration Form. (Note: A physician does not need to sign)
- Parents/guardians must bring medication to the school nurse. Do not send in medication with your child.
- Medication must be supplied in the original container.
- Some children are eligible to self-administer medication. See the medication self-administration section for details.
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Students may be approved by the school nurse to self-administer medication (without visiting the school nurse) during the school day. A number of requirements must be met in order to allow students to self-administer, including, but not limited to:
- Written agreement between the nurse and parent/guardian
- Student demonstrates to the nurse that they are capable of self-administering medication according to school and medication administration policies
- Self-administration is safe and appropriate for the student’s health condition.
