Student Experience

If your child requires a prescription or over-the-counter medication during the school day or during intramural or interscholastic athletic events, you must follow the procedures required by Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 10-212a, and Connecticut Administrative Regulations Sec. 10-212a-9. These procedures promote safe practices for students and staff. Please read them carefully.

1. For each medication that must be administered at school daily or as-needed, the parent must obtain the written order of an authorized prescriber (physician, dentist, optometrist, advanced practice registered nurse or physician’s assistant, and for interscholastic and intramural sports only, a podiatrist) using Hamden Public Schools Medication Authorization Form (see Page 1).

A new order is required each year and, if so prescribed, may be effective from July 1 through June 30 of the given year. A medication order dated July 1 of a year will cover summer programs and the upcoming school year.

2. The authorized prescriber must fill in the following information requested on the form:

• Name of medication, the generic name of the medication (NEW), and strength of the medication;
• Indications(s) for the administration of this medication in school (condition, diagnosis);
• Amount (dosage) of the medication to be administered and route of administration
• Potential side effects of the medication
• Time of day that the medication is to be administered; and frequency for PRN (as-needed) medications
• Duration of the order for administration of the medication (up to 12 months from July 1 through June 30 of the same school year.
• If applicable, authorization for self-administration in school.

3. A parent or guardian must sign the “Parent/Guardian Authorization” portion of the form and, if applicable, provide authorization for self-administration in school.

4. Prescription medication must be packaged in the ORIGINAL PHARMACY CONTAINER, clearly labeled with student’s name, the authorized prescriber’s name, and the medication instructions.

5. Over-the-counter medications must be in their original unopened containers.

6.The medication and completed authorization form must be delivered to the school nurse by a responsible adult, except that, once the nurse has reviewed the medication order and developed a plan for self-administration, the student is responsible to carry the medication to/from school each day and maintain its safe control at all times.

7. Self-administration plans approved for the school day also extend to extra curricular activities and athletics.

8. Self-administration of controlled medication is not permitted.

9. No more than a three (3) month supply may be stored at a school. Except for students attending an Extended School Year program, unused medication must be destroyed if not picked up by a responsible adult by the end of the last day of school.

Thank you for your cooperation. Please contact the school nurse or Hamden School Health Services, 203-407-2084, if you have any questions.