For the School Nurses the start of a new school year means updating records, checking shot records, and answering questions about medicine! This article will explain the Willow Springs School District's policy regarding medicines at school.

Let's start with the younger grades.

For Students in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade:

-All medicine must be in the original container with the whole label intact

-All medicine must be brought to the Health Room by the parent or guardian

-The nurse will check the medicine and get a permission slip signed

-For prescription medicine ask the pharmacist for an extra bottle. It' free!

-Go to the elementary school office and they will direct you to the nurse

-One of the nurses is in the Health Room from 7:45 am to 3:15 pm daily

-Bring only one month supply (20 to 25 doses) of medicine at a time

If a medicine is taken 3 times a day or less it should be given at home. We make exceptions for medicine that must be taken mid-day. Any medicine brought to school by a student will be held in the Health Room until a parent can come sign for it or pick it up. The Willow Springs School District does not buy stock of medicines for student use. If your child needs medicine such as Tylenol or other over-the-counter drugs from time to time please bring it to the nurses.

What about students in the upper grades? High school students may carry a small amount of acetaminophen with them. This is also known as Tylenol. If you would like for your child to carry a small amount to Tylenol just do a couple of things:

-Sign and return the student health update to the nurse

-Send your child with a small bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in the original bottle, with the full label intact.

All other medicine comes under the same rules that we follow for students in the lower grades. Some parents prefer that their child see the nurse before taking any medicine, even Tylenol. We are happy to keep your child's medicine in the Health Room and will record each dose that he or she takes. Just bring the medicine to school and sign the permission slip for the nurses.

If you have questions about the school medicine policy, please ask! Call 469-2114 and ask for the nurse. Also, the medicine policy can be found in the front of your child's planner.

also see Nurse's notes