Schools rely on the cooperation of parents/guardians to safely and effectively administer medication to their students at school.

Parents/guardians are responsible for:

• Supplying all medications (schools don’t supply medications for students)
• Transporting medication to and from school
• Completing all required medication authorization forms

Parents/guardians must complete the authorization to administer medication form for each medication. The form must be signed by the health care provider and parent/guardian. Medication cannot be given without the completed form.

Parents/guardians must bring all medications to the school office for the student. Students can’t bring medication to school. Medication can’t be transported on school district buses.

All medication must be in the original prescription bottle, container or package.

If half doses have been prescribed, the parent/guardian must break medication tablets in half before bringing them to the school.

Over- the- counter medications will only be accepted if the authorization to administer medication form is signed by a healthcare provider.

If a student self carries medication at school, they also are required to have a health care provider’s order on file at the school with written permission from parent/ guardian and school nurse assessment.

Students must follow rules and responsibilities of carrying his/her medication and be able to show proper usage of inhaler, epinephrine auto injector or insulin. If a student does not follow the rules and responsibilities of carrying his/her medication, then the student will lose the privilege of carrying such medication.

No other prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, or alternative medications may be carried by students on their person, in a backpack or other container Note: 

Medication left at school will be destroyed the last day of school, according to district policy.

 A Medication Form needs to be completed annually for each medication taken at school 

• There are a growing number of children who are chronically ill and require medications to remain stable, healthy and fully functioning.
• Without effective medication administration, children dependent on medications may fail to achieve academic success or live healthy lives.

California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Education Code 49423

• Allows designated school personnel to administer medication to students as allowed by law
• Prior to administration the school must obtain:
• An order from a proper healthcare provider stating medication, route, dose, and frequency for an individual
• A written statement from parent or guardian consenting for assistance regarding medication administration as stated by healthcare provider
• Medication provided to the school in the original, labeled container

• Do NOT administer unlabeled medications or medications with incomplete instructions
• Do NOT borrow medications from another individual
• Do NOT give expired or discolored medications
• Do NOT return unused medications back into their container if already removed
• Do NOT administer medication if all five rights have not been checked first.

• Wash hands before and after giving medications