North Godwin News
Week of August 31, 2026
2026-2027 STUDENT MEDICATIONS (Rx, Inhalers, Epi-Pens, and Over-the Counter Medications)
ALL student medications must be cleared through the school office with appropriate medical paperwork on file. Medications will not be administered by school personnel unless all of the appropriate paperwork has been submitted to the school office. ALL STUDENT MEDICATIONS MUST BE SIGNED IN AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY A LEGAL PARENT OR GUARDIAN. Medications may not be sent to school with students. Our school cannot accept expired medication, so please check expiration dates carefully.
Emergency Medications
It is necessary to have the proper Godwin Heights Public Schools paperwork completed for any emergency medication housed at school. Links to the forms that must be completed by a physician and signed by a parent are listed below. All completed forms must be accompanied by an emergency action plan (obtained by a physician), as well as the medication in the original pharmacy packaging with the student name on pharmacy label
Daily Rx Medications
In those circumstances where a student must take prescribed medication at lunch during the school day, the following guidelines are to be observed:
- Parents should, with their physician’s counsel, determine whether the medication schedule can be adjusted to avoid administering medication during school hours.
- The Godwin Heights Public Schools "Authorization to Administer Medication and/or Treatment" form must be completed and submitted by a physician and signed by a parent before the student will be allowed to begin taking any medication during school hours.
- Parents will be required to bring the medication to school in the original pharmacy packaging with the student name on the bottle. A two to four week supply of medication is recommended. Medication may not be sent to school in a student’s lunch box, pocket or other means on or about his/her person. Together, the parent and the school office secretary will count the pills and log what is being dropped off. Both the parent and the school representative will sign the log verifying what is being dropped off each time.
- Medication that is brought to the office will be properly secured.
- Parents will be asked to sigh out and pick-up any unused medications. Any unused medication unclaimed by the parent will be destroyed by school personnel in conjunction with our Godwin Heights District Health Nurse when a prescription is no longer to be administered, or at the end of a school year.
Non-Prescription / Over-the-Counter Medications
Non-prescription / Over-the-Counter student medications must be housed in the school office. In the interest of safety for all students are not allowed to self-carry any medications while at school. A parent or guardian must complete the NON-PRESCRIPTION portion of the form below, sign it, and return it to the school office, along with the medication in the original packaging. Examples include: cough drops, Tylenol, Motrin, allergy pills, and the like.
Authorization to Admin Medication - English
**All health forms must be completed in English
If you need assistance, please call the school office at 616-252-2010.
You may also contact our District Nurse, Meagan Schaefer at:
Godwin Heights District Nurse
Corewell Health School Nursing Program
Meagan.Schaefer@GodwinSchools.org
Cell: 616-591-4910 (M-F 7:30am-4pm)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT NURSE:
📋 Godwin Heights Public Schools: Health & Medication Updates
Important Medical Information for the 2026-2027 School Year
Dear Families,
To ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all students, please review the critical medical guidelines, document deadlines, and specific care requirements outlined below.
⚠️ Critical Deadlines & Safety Policies
· Form Verification: All Medication and Emergency Action Plan forms must be dated after May 31, 2026.
· Submission Deadline: Please submit all completed paperwork by August 21, 2026.
· Drop-Off Policy: All medication must be brought directly to the school office by an adult starting August 14, 2026.
· No Student Transport: Students may not bring or self-carry medication. Do not send medicine to school in your child's backpack.
· High School Exception: Grades 9–12 may self-carry emergency medications (inhalers, EpiPens, diabetes supplies) only if they have signed parent, physician, and District Nurse approval.
💊 General School Medication Requirements
· Containers: Medicine must arrive in its original container or prescription bottle with the pharmacy label fully intact.
· Over-the-Counter (OTC): Must be in small, unopened containers (100 pills or less only).
· Signatures: Prescription meds require both Physician and Parent/Guardian signatures. OTC meds require a Parent/Guardian signature.
· Limits & Rules: Only a 30-day supply of tablet medications is permitted. Epinephrine boxes must contain both pens (do not separate them). Antibiotics are prescription meds and require a physician's signature.
· Field Trips: Request an extra, empty labeled prescription bottle from your pharmacy if your child will need medication on a field trip.
📝 Paperwork & Supplies Required by Condition
Asthma
· Asthma Action Plan (AAP) signed by a physician (Pulmonology, Allergy, or Primary Care).
· Medication Administration Form for the inhaler/allergy medication.
· Inhaler/medications must be delivered to the office by a parent/guardian.
Severe Allergies
· Emergency Action Plan (EAP) signed by a physician.
· Medication Administration Form for the EpiPen and/or Benadryl.
· Dietary Accommodation Form if the allergy is food-related.
Diabetes
· Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) from an endocrinologist.
· Medication Administration Form for Insulin and Glucagon (signed by a doctor).
· Mandatory Meeting: Contact the school nurse to create an Individual Health Plan (IHP) prior to the start of the school year.
· Supplies Needed: Ketone strips, insulin, tester, pump supplies, glucagon, and snacks/fixes for the office and each teacher.
Seizures
· Seizure Action Plan (SAP) from a neurologist.
· Medication Administration Form for emergency rescue medication (signed by a doctor).
ADHD / Anxiety / Depression / Other Chronic Conditions
· Official Documentation: A letter from the physician noting the condition, treatment, and school restrictions.
· Medication Forms: Signed Medication Administration Form. For ADHD medication given during school hours, the bottle must explicitly list a specific time or state "with lunch."
· Care Plan: The school RN will generate an Individual Health Plan for Anxiety, Depression, or other chronic conditions (e.g., Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell, Von Willebrand).
Short-Term Conditions (Injuries / Illness / Concussions)
· Doctor's Note: Must explain required restrictions (elevator pass, P.E. exemptions) and include an explicit end date. Deliver this note directly to the front office.
· P.E. Classes: A parent-written note is acceptable for one P.E. class session only.
· Mobility Equipment: Crutches, wheelchairs, or walkers must be provided from home.
· Concussions: Students must be cleared by a doctor before returning to any sports or school activities. You can schedule concussion care through Cherry Health by calling 616-965-0435.
Should My Child Stay Home From School?
When your child is sick, knowing whether they should stay home can be challenging. If your child has a contagious virus or disease, keep them home. Staying home helps them recover faster and prevents teachers, staff, and classmates from getting sick.
If you are ever unsure, please consult your child’s doctor or healthcare provider.
⛔ Critical Symptoms: When to Stay Home
As a general rule, your child should not come to school if they exhibit any of the following:
· Fever Over 100.4°F (38°C): Your child can return to school only after they have been entirely fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
· Vomiting: Your child can return to school after they have been vomit-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
· Diarrhea: Keep your child home if they have 2 or more loose stools that are not caused by a known change in diet.
· Severe Fatigue: Signs that they are weak and tired. This is highly common with the flu.
· Disruptive Coughing: A persistent cough that disrupts normal learning or classroom activities.
· Breathing Difficulties: Any active wheezing or shortness of breath.
· Active Pain: Severe discomfort from an earache, intense headache, sore throat, or a recent physical injury.
· Eye Drainage: Visible yellow or green drainage coming from the eye(s).
· A New Rash: Not all rashes mean your child must miss school. Please check with their doctor or healthcare provider first.
📥 Contact & Document Submission
You can download all required documents on the official Health and Medicine Webpage at Godwin Heights Public Schools.
(Please note: Spanish versions of forms are for translation reference only. Submissions must be completed on English forms).
Submit completed paperwork via:
· Email: Meagan.Schaefer@GodwinSchools.org
· Fax: 616-252-2067
· Drop-off: Deliver directly to your school's main front office.
North Godwin Elementary
Steve Minard, Principal
Email: minard@godwinschools.org
Kristi Bast, Administrative Secretary
Email: bast@godwinschools.org
Keontre Miskel, Youth Development Coordinator
Email: keontre.miskel@godwinschools.org
Website: www.godwinschools.org
Location: 161 34th Street Southwest, Wyoming, MI, USA
Phone: 616-252-2010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthGodwin/