A parent/guardian & physician signature is required for all medications (prescription and non-prescription/over-the-counter) which a student may require at school.  All medication authorizations must be renewed yearly. Prescription medications or over-the-counter medications brought to the school by a parent/guardian can only be administered to the student during school hours with parental permission and a physician order.

• Authorization for Medication Administration forms are located on each campus in the nurse’s office and can be found here.
• All medications prescription and non-prescription/over-the-counter) are to be brought into school by a parent/guardian, prescription medications must be in the original bottle, over-the-counter medications must be in an original labeled unopened bottle; a maximum 30-day supply of medication will be accepted at one time. 
• Students can self-carry and administer emergency medications at school with written permission from their parents and physician. This includes medications such as asthma inhalers, epinephrine auto-dispensers and diabetic management supplies. The student must also demonstrate the ability to self-administer the medication.

Parents/guardians of students with specific medical needs should reach out to their students' school nurse to provide specific information.

Students are not allowed to carry or self-administer any medication, including Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medicine, allergy medicine, inhalers or epinephrine auto-dispensers without proper paperwork from a physician. Contact your campus nurse for any questions. 

No narcotics, opioids, herbal medications or CBD will be administered to students under any circumstances.

Ibuprofen will never be given to a potentially pregnant person, due to this being contraindicated in a pregnant person.

Aspirin will never be given to any student under 18 years old due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome.

SMCISD will dispose of any unused or expired medication not picked up by the parent/guardian at the end of the school year.

San Marcos CISD Standing Orders

If your child has suffered a significant injury, or is suspected to have suffered a specific injury during school or at home, he/she will not be permitted to return to school and/or activities (recess, PE, sport-related activities during the school day) until the school has received verification that the student was evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider. The following healthcare providers can provide a signed verification document:

• Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
• Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN)
• Physician’s Assistant (PA)

The following injuries will require written clearance:

• Bone fracture / bone break
• Severe joint sprain, requiring a splint or cast
• Severe muscle strain
• Surgery
• Head Injury or Concussion

Students Injured Outside of School

Students who come to school with a cast, crutches, sling, and/or wheelchair without documentation from a healthcare provider may be held in the school health office until written documentation for specific care or clearance is received. from the healthcare provider. 

San Marcos CISD schools have the following on hand to assist in the event of an emergency: 

• Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
• Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (used to treat severe allergic reactions)
• Narcan/Naloxone (Used to treat overdose)
• Bleeding Management Supplies (tourniquets, wound packing gauze, chest-seals) 

School nurses routinely assess illnesses and treat minor injuries on campus. Additionally, they have training, skill, and resources to assist in the event of more serious emergencies, including identifying emergent situations, managing the emergency until relieved by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, communicating the assessment and interventions to EMS personnel and following up with the health care providers as needed.  

Students with fever of 100.4 (per Texas Administrative Code §97.7(b)) or higher, or any signs/symptoms of any of illness per the DSHS Communicable Disease Chart will be sent home from school in order to prevent the spread of illnesses to other students as mandated by the Texas State Health Services.  

Students who are sick with vomiting or diarrhea should stay home from school for 24 hours and return only when these symptoms have resolved without medications. Exclusion periods will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the campus nurse, with direction from DSHS and the district medical consultant. If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home and contact the front office.