2026/2027 School Year
Medication Guidelines and Drop off Day Information
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Northbridge Elementary School Health Office would like to provide a reminder about our medication procedures to help ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
Your NES Nurses will be at the school on Tuesday, August 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to receive medications and physician orders prior to the start of the school year. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure everything is in place before students return.
Please remember that anything containing an "active ingredient" is considered a medication in the school setting. This includes both prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Both prescription and over-the-counter medications may be administered at school when the following requirements are met.
1. Physician Authorization-All medications must be ordered by your child's healthcare provider. The medication order must include:
● Name of the medication
● Route of administration
● Time the medication should be given
● Reason for administration
● Any special instructions
Physician orders may be submitted in any of the following ways:
● A letter from the healthcare provider's office
● A fax from the healthcare provider's office
● A Northbridge Elementary School Medication Authorization Form completed and signed by the healthcare provider
2. Parent/Guardian Consent
A parent or guardian must personally deliver all medications to the Health Office. At that time, you will complete a consent form authorizing the School Nurse to administer the medication exactly as prescribed by your child's healthcare provider.
A separate form, titled "NES Annual Health Information Form," will be provided for parents and guardians to authorize the administration of the over-the-counter medications stocked in the Health Office.
Please do not send medications to school with your child or in your child's backpack. All medications must be delivered directly to the School Nurse by a parent or guardian.
Important Medication Guidelines
Please keep the following policies in mind:
● The first dose of any medication must be administered at home. School nurses cannot administer the first dose of a new medication.
● Elementary students are not permitted to self-carry medication unless specifically authorized under Massachusetts law and Northbridge Public Schools policy.
● Medication orders expire at the end of each school year. New physician orders and parent consent forms are required at the beginning of every school year.
● The Health Office may accept only a 30-day supply of prescription medication at one time.
● All medications must be in their original pharmacy- or manufacturer-labeled container with the student's name and prescription information (if applicable). The medication label must match the physician's order.
● At the end of the school year, families will be notified to retrieve any remaining medication. Any medication not picked up by the designated deadline will be safely discarded in accordance with school policy.
Thank you for your partnership in helping us provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.
If you have any questions regarding medication administration or your child'shealthcare needs at school, please contact the Northbridge Elementary School Health Office. kmorrow@nps.org and dandreadis@nps.org
We appreciate your cooperation and support and look forward to a healthy and successful school year.
Northbridge Elementary School Health Office Nurses,
Ms. Morrow and Ms. Andreadis