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Medication Administration in the School

Our top priority is student safety and wellness. In accordance with Minnesota Medication Law and ISD 728 Student Medication Policy 516, school Health Services staff will administer medication only when it is essential during the school day and your child’s health could be at risk without it.

Whenever possible, please give medications at home. For example, a prescription that is taken three times a day can typically be scheduled for before school, after school, and bedtime.

Important Guidelines for Medication at School

For your child to receive any medication (prescription or over-the-counter) during school hours, the following requirements per district policy must be met:

  • Written authorization from your child’s licensed health care provider. (This must be submitted within two weeks of starting the medication at school)

  • Written consent from a parent or guardian. (Verbal requests must be followed up with written permission within two school days)

  • Medication must be in original packaging:

    • Prescription medications must be in a pharmacy-labeled container

    • Over-the-counter medications must be in unopened original packaging

    • Ask your pharmacist for a second labeled bottle—one for home and one for school

  • All medications are kept in the Health Services office, unless a student is authorized and approved to self-carry 

For safety reasons, students may not carry or take medication at school unless formally authorized and approved by the Licensed School Nurse. This includes over-the-counter items like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Benadryl, and cough drops.

 

What Health Services Does Not Provide

Please note that school Health Services does not stock any medications, including:

  • Benadryl

  • Tylenol (acetaminophen)

  • Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)

  • Cough drops

  • Any other over-the-counter medications

If your child requires these at school, they must be supplied by the parent and meet all authorization and packaging requirements above.

Self-Carry Medications

Some students may be eligible to carry and administer their own emergency medications (such as inhalers, EpiPens, or insulin) with appropriate documentation.

Bringing Medication to School

We recommend that parents or guardians personally deliver all medications to the Health Services office. If this isn’t possible:

  • Contact Health Services in advance to coordinate

  • Clearly document how many tablets/capsules you are sending with your child

  • Place the medication in its original packaging and sealed in a bag, if possible

Important Safety Notice

Narcotic pain medications (such as Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine, Darvocet, or Percocet) will not be administered at school.
If your child requires narcotic pain relief, they may not be medically ready to return to the school setting. Please contact Health Services for further guidance. 

Medication Authorization Forms

You can obtain the required form from:

For questions or support, please contact your child’s School Nurse or Health Services personnel. We appreciate your partnership in keeping students safe, healthy, and ready to learn.