What forms are required for medications at school (and/or on field trips) ?

• All medication to be given during the school day must be accompanied by a Medication Request form. (or Spanish: Medication Request form)

• A separate form is required for each medication. 

• A new form is required at the beginning of each school year and any time medication dosages are changed. 

• Visit the forms page for additional forms related to specific health conditions and medications. 

• **If medication needs to be given (or available) during a school trip and the medication is not already on file with the school nurse (such as when departure time occurs before the start of the school day), this activity/trip medication form should be completed.  

What medication can be given at school?

• Only those medications which cannot be given outside of school hours will be given. 

• Prescription medication, in the original, properly labeled container, filled within the last 12 months, with a completed Medication Request form signed by the parent.

• Over-the-counter medications in the original, properly labeled container, with a completed Medication Request form signed by the parent and physician.

• Herbal substances and dietary supplements will not be administered in the school setting unless ordered by a physician and required as part of the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or section 504 plan.

• The school will not administer expired medications or medication at a dosage that exceeds the recommended maximum dosage listed in available drug references.

District-Approved List of Nonprescription ("Stock") Medications

• Prosper ISD school clinics maintain a limited supply of the following over-the-counter medications and are intended for unexpected situations at school when no student-specific medication has been provided:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

  • Ibuprofen (Advil; Motrin)

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

  • Menthol cough drops/throat lozenges

  • Calcium Carbonate chewable tablets (Tums)

• Upon school enrollment, the parent/guardian is given the opportunity to electronically consent to the administration of the above medications in accordance with Board policy. In the event that the parent/guardian did not give consent during enrollment but later desires to do so, a written medication request form must be completed for each medication the parent would like to issue consent. Verbal consent is not acceptable for medication administration.

• With parental consent, these medications may be given after assessment but the registered nurse, and a nonpharmacologic attempt to relieve symptoms provided, as appropriate. Stock Medications are administered according to the dosing prescribed by the District's medical advisor.

• Up to ten doses (no more than 5 consecutive days of administration) may be given each school year. If the student exceeds this limit, a personal supply and accompanying physician order from the student’s provider is required.

• If a child needs access to one or more of these medications on a regular basis (such as during field trips), different dosing is requested, or the parent wishes to skip the nonpharmacologic attempt to relieve symptoms first, stock medication may not be used. The parent is responsible for providing the medication and related medication request form to the school (as detailed above).

 How should medication be transported to and from school?

• For student safety, parents/guardians should transport all medication to and from school. Do NOT send medication in student lunches.

• Controlled medications will be counted upon arrival at the clinic. Documentation of the counts will be made with the parent and PISD staff.

• Any unused, discontinued, or expired medication will be disposed of at the end of the school year or 2 weeks after the last prescribed dose if not picked up from the clinic by the parent.

• The school will accept no more than a 30-day supply of prescription medication at a time.

Acceptable containers and labeling for medication

• All medication brought to school, including over-the-counter medication, is required to be in the original, properly labeled container. Medications brought to school outside of their original container will not be administered. If there is a change in the prescribed dosage, a new pharmacy label must be obtained for the medication bottle.

• The pharmacy label must correspond with the information completed by the parent on the Medication Request form (student name, dose(s) due, administration time(s), route, etc.).

Where are the medications kept while at school?

• All medications will be kept in a locked cabinet in the school clinic*. The school nurse, health aide, and PISD personnel designated by the principal and trained to administer medications will distribute all medications.

  • During field trips, medications are secured with a designated staff member. Students are not permitted to self-carry or self-administer medications except as provided below.

  • *Emergency anaphylaxis medications are stored in a secure, but unlocked location per Texas DSHS recommendation

• A student may self-carry and self-administer an inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector only after a Parent/Physician Request for Self-Administration form has been completed by the parent and the physician. This form is required to be renewed each school year.

  • When self-carrying an approved inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector, the medication must be properly labeled with the student's prescription label.

  • PISD reserves the right to revoke self-carry permission if the student cannot safely or properly carry or administer the medication.

  • Students found self-carrying other medications may be subject to disciplinary action.

*The information on this page addresses parent frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding medication administration in Prosper ISD.  Please contact your school nurse for assistance with any additional questions related to medications at school. For a detailed copy of the complete Prosper ISD Medication Guidelines, please contact the school nurse.