• Permission forms for all overnight field trips are submitted through PowerSchool. 

    Form #1 is for the Trip Advisor. 

    Form #2 is for the Nurse.

    Medication Usage:  Trip specific due date will be provided for each trip.   The following are generally guidelines that apply to all trips.

     

    All prescription and over the counter medications will be dispensed to a student during a field trip by the nurse in attendance. A student may not be in possession of any medication or vitamins during the trip with the exception of a rescue inhaler, insulin or auto injectable epinephrine with benadryl.

    If your child will require any prescription or over the counter medication while on an overnight trip, have your health care provider complete the appropriate medication forms that can be found on the "Medication Forms" tab . Forms should be returned to the HS Nurses prior to the trip. An exact due date will be provided for each trip.  Completed forms should be faxed or emailed to the nurses at 908-654-7535 or hsnurses@spfk12.org.

     

    MEDICATION:

    1. The medication(s) to be dispensed must be in the original over-the-counter packaging or pharmacy labeled container.
    2. Send the exact number of pills/doses your child will need while on the trip.
    3. For once a day medications, please indicate if the dose is to be given in the morning or in the evening
    4. Medication(s) should be brought to the nurse's office by the designated due date or as soon as possible before the trip for sorting and packing
    5. If you have already provided an Epinephrine order or an asthma treatment plan for a rescue inhaler for the school year, you do not need to provide another copy.
    6. If you have already submitted medication orders for a previous overnight trip for the current school year you do not need to provide another copy.

     

    Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl and TUMS or generic equivalent will be provided by the district and may be dispensed on the trip at the discretion of the nurse.   It is not necessary for your private physician to write separate orders for these medications. Your permission to give these medications is addressed in the permission form you completed in PowerSchool. These medications cannot be self-administered by, or in the possession of, the student. 

     

    Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding medication usage on an overnight field trip.  It is a bit lengthy, but if you take the time to read through it, you might find the answer to your question.  If not, please call the office.

     

    Q:  Do I need a doctor’s order for my child to take an over the counter medication while on the trip?

     

    A:  Yes.  The NJ Department of Education rules require a doctor’s order for all medications dispensed whether they are prescription or non-prescription (over the counter).  The nurses on the trip must dispense all medication.  No student may be in possession of, or self-administer any medications other than those used to treat a condition requiring the immediate use of epinephrine (Epi Pen), a rescue asthma inhaler (Albuterol/Proventil/Xopenex/Pro-air), or insulin.

     

    Q: I am not sure if my child will need his/her allergy medication on the trip.

     

    A:  If your child typically suffers from spring allergies, a trip this spring should be no exception.  Remember that an order is needed from your doctor even if it is an over the counter medication such as Claritin, Zyrtec or other allergy/cold symptom medication.  If you want the medication given only upon request, please indicate that on the doctor’s order form.  As needed seasonal allergy medication will only be dispensed at the hotel in the morning and at bedtime.



    Q: My child uses a daily medication such as an inhaler, nasal spray, eye drops, or topical acne cream and I only have one package.  What should I do?

     

    A:  When you cannot renew the prescription or the medication cannot be portioned into another container, the student will be asked to bring the medication to school the morning of the trip and to drop it off with the nurses.  We will return it to your child at the end of the trip to take home.

     

    Q:  My daughter takes an oral contraceptive to regulate her menstrual cycle and to treat acne.  Can she hold on to it and take it herself?

     

    A:  No.  The student will bring the medication packet to the nurse’s office a few days before the trip.  We will remove the necessary pills and store them in daily labeled envelopes to be dispensed during the trip.  Your daughter will then bring the packet home.



    Q: If my child has an order for an emergency medication such as a rescue inhaler or an epi pen, will the nurse be responsible for carrying the medication?

     

    A:  No.  Every student with a rescue inhaler (ie. albuterol, proair, xopenex) or a Benadryl/ Epi pen order must carry his or her own medication.  We will check in with each of these students before leaving the school to make sure they have it.  If not, you will receive a call.  These medications should be packed in the student's carry on bag for ready access by the student (or a nurse/delegate) while riding in the bus or at the performance venue.  If you want the nurses to have an extra dose, then you will need to give it to us.  If you have already provided an extra dose for the nurse’s office, we will pack it.  If your child cannot swallow tablets, please provide the medication in a dissolvable or chewable form.  No liquids please.

     

    Q:  Do I need an order from my doctor for my child to take Tylenol, Advil, Tums or Benadryl?

     

    A:  No.  Permission for the nurses to give these medications while on the trip is part of the permission form you filled out in Powerschool.   If you answered “yes”, we will supply and dispense the medication as needed.  Again, if your child cannot swallow pills, you will need to provide us with a dissolvable or chewable form of the medication.  No liquids please.



    Q:  Can my child self-administer a digestive aid such as Lactaid?

     

    A:  Yes.  However, you must provide a doctor’s order and the medication is given to the nurses to hold.  Each morning we will give your child a day’s supply to carry and use as needed.

     

    Q:  Can my child take his/her vitamins or herbal supplements while on the trip?

     

    A:  No.  We ask the students to take a “vitamin vacation” while on the trip unless there is a compelling medical reason not to do so.  If a vitamin must be taken, a doctor’s order will be needed.  



    Q: My child has already gone on an overnight field trip this school year.  Do I need to submit another medication order form from the doctor?

     

    A: No.  As long as it is the same medication and dosage you do not need to submit another copy.  We will use the one on file.  Just be sure to alert us that the student is taking the medication on this particular trip.



    Since this is a school-sponsored trip, all school rules apply.  Any student found in possession of unauthorized medication will be subject to disciplinary action upon return.