Many students attend school with chronic or complex health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, food allergies, and other health conditions that may require medication or health-related support during the school day.

Lancaster ISD’s Health Services Department works in partnership with parents/guardians, healthcare providers, and campus staff to support the health and safety of students while they are at school.

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications may be administered at school when the required parent/guardian authorization and healthcare provider documentation have been received by the school.

Medication must be provided in the original pharmacy-labeled container.
The label should clearly identify the student, medication, dosage, and administration instructions.
Medication should NOT be sent to school in an unlabeled container, plastic bag, envelope, or any other non-original container.
Medication will be administered according to the authorized healthcare provider’s instructions, Lancaster ISD procedures, and Texas Board of Nursing standards of practice when orders are complete, current, and clearly written.

Texas law also provides specific requirements for students who are authorized to self-administer prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication. Required parent/guardian and healthcare provider documentation must be on file, and the student must demonstrate the ability to safely self-administer the medication.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

OTC medications may be administered at school in accordance with Lancaster ISD policy and required authorization.

Medication must be provided in the original, properly labeled manufacturer’s container.
Required parent/guardian authorization must be provided.
Medication will be administered only according to the parent authorization, and applicable manufacturer directions.

Medication Delivery and Storage

For student safety, medications should be brought to the school by a parent/guardian, particularly for elementary-age students.

Medications should be delivered to the clinic and be signed for by both the healthcare team member/designated staff member and the person bringing the medication to the school.

School nurses maintain medication records and administer or supervise medication administration in accordance with district procedures and applicable state requirements.

Student-Specific Emergency Medications

Students with health conditions such as asthma, severe allergies/anaphylaxis, diabetes, epilepsy, or other potentially life-threatening health conditions may have additional healthcare plans, emergency medications, or individualized procedures brought to school.

Families are encouraged to provide this medication and accompanying orders to the school nurse before the beginning of the school year, at the “Meet the Teacher Night” event, or on the first day of school or as soon as a new medical need arises, to ensure that, medications, and emergency plans for our students are always current.

Unassigned Emergency Medications

Lancaster ISD Health Services maintains unassigned emergency medications on campuses to help provide a rapid response to certain life-threatening medical emergencies involving students, staff, and visitors.

These medications are available for emergency situations when an individual may not have their own prescribed medication available and when the circumstances meet the requirements of Lancaster ISD policy and applicable Texas law.

Unassigned Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

Lancaster ISD maintains unassigned epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens®) on campuses for emergency treatment of a person who is reasonably believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis may occur after exposure to foods, medications, insect stings, or other allergens. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives, vomiting, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.

Authorized and trained school personnel or volunteers may administer unassigned epinephrine in accordance with Lancaster ISD policy and applicable Texas law. Epinephrine is an emergency medication and 911 should be activated when a severe allergic reaction is suspected.

Unassigned Naloxone (Narcan®)

Lancaster ISD also maintains unassigned naloxone (Narcan®) on campuses as part of the district's emergency response preparedness.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist medication used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid-related drug overdose. It may restore breathing in a person experiencing an opioid overdose and is intended to be used as an emergency intervention while emergency medical services are activated.

Authorized and trained school personnel or volunteers may administer naloxone when a person is reasonably believed to be experiencing an opioid-related overdose, in accordance with Lancaster ISD policy and applicable Texas law.

Emergency Response

Emergency medications are not a substitute for emergency medical services.

When an emergency occurs, school personnel will follow Lancaster ISD emergency response procedures, which may include:

Activating 911 and requesting emergency medical services.
Providing appropriate emergency first aid and/or CPR as indicated.
Administering an available unassigned emergency medication when the situation meets the requirements for its use.
Notifying the appropriate campus personnel and the student's parent/guardian when applicable.
Continuing to monitor and support the individual until emergency medical services arrive.

Lancaster ISD Health Services provides training and guidance to designated personnel regarding the appropriate use of emergency medications.

Supporting Student and Community Safety

The availability of unassigned emergency medications is one component of Lancaster ISD's comprehensive approach to student, staff, and visitor health and safety.

Families are encouraged to notify the school nurse of any known medical conditions, allergies, prescribed emergency medications, or individualized healthcare needs so that appropriate health and emergency plans can be developed and maintained.

For questions regarding emergency medications or student health services, please contact your campus school nurse or the Lancaster ISD Health Services Department.

Important Medication Reminders

Do not send medication to school in an unlabeled container.
Do not place medication in a student's backpack unless the student has been specifically authorized to self-carry/self-administer the medication.
Keep medication information and healthcare provider orders current and up to date.
Notify the school nurse when there is a change in medication, dosage, treatment instructions, or the student's health condition.
Medications that are expired, discontinued, or no longer needed should be picked up by the parent/guardian according to campus procedures.

Questions and Medication Forms

Please contact your campus school nurse with questions regarding medication administration, required documentation, or student health needs.

Lancaster ISD medication forms are available in the "Forms" section of the Health Services webpage.

Lancaster Independent School District

Important Health Issues at School

Medication at School

Health Screenings

Medication at School

Health Screenings