Health, wellness, & counseling

We make every effort at Amana Academy to make sure that your child stays safe and healthy during the day. If your child will need prescription medications, including inhalers and epi-pens, be sure to have the Medication Authorization Form (available in the school clinic) completed and signed by either parent and physician.  

From the School’s Health Services Department

When possible, medication should be taken at home, including all non-essential medications like vitamins and herbals. However, if medication must be taken at school, on a field trip, or during a “before or after” school chaperoned activity, the following policies and procedures apply: 

Medication Administration Form – The parent/legal guardian must complete an authorization and instruction form entitled “Authorization to Give Medicine Form SHS-1” (available in the school clinic). 

  • For prescription medication, a physician must also sign the form. The school cannot give medications without the authorization form
  • The same form is used for prescription and nonprescription medications
  • All Medication Authorization Forms are good for one school year
  • A faxed copy of the form from your doctor’s office is acceptable after the parent/legal guardian’s signature
  • Please use a separate form for each medication

 

The medication and the authorization form MUST be taken to the school clinic/office by the parent/legal guardian. However, if this is not possible, the student should be instructed to take the medication and the authorization form directly to the school office/clinic upon arrival to school. Please instruct your student that under NO circumstances should medication be shown to or shared with another student! It is essential for the parent/legal guardian to bring controlled substance medications to the school personally. 

Medications that are considered controlled substances by the State of Georgia (this includes medications for ADD/ADHD and pain) should be appropriately stored in the school clinic. We encourage all medications to be kept in the clinic unless it is an approved emergency medication or over-the-counter medication and the student has permission to carry the medication on his/her person during school hours (at Amana, this applies to Middle School students only). 

Only medication in its ORIGINAL container from the store or pharmacy is accepted. Non-Prescription medications in small-sized bottles are preferred due to limited storage space. Both prescription and nonprescription medication sent to the school must have current labeling on the bottle.

Medication in bottles that have expired labeling will not be given to the student.

The medication in the bottle must MATCH the label, MATCH the student, MATCH the Authorization Form, and have a CURRENT prescription label on the bottle. A new prescription bottle with correct labeling is required for any dosage change. The school cannot alter dosages without a new authorization form from you and/or your doctor/healthcare provider. At the designated time, the student will go to the clinic to take the medication.

Assistance/supervision by the school clinic personnel will be given in accordance with the instructions on the authorization form. The parent/legal guardian should notify the school when assistance is needed for the student taking medication in order to maintain an appropriate medication schedule. Medication is a parental responsibility; therefore, Amana Academy employees will not assume any liability for supervising or administering medication, and Amana Academy retains the privilege of refusing to supervise/assist in administering medication, except where otherwise required by law. 

Unused medication should be retrieved from the school/office within one week after the medication is discontinued and at the end of the school year. Otherwise, the school will dispose of the medication. Medication left at the end of the school year will be discarded. 

Authorization For Students to Carry a Prescription, Inhaler, Epipen, Insulin, or Other Approved Medication—MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY

If you have a Middle School student who has asthma or other health-related conditions that require self-administration of medicine or emergency type(s) of medication, or a student who needs to carry medication on his/her person, you must complete an Authorization to Carry Medication Form SHS-2. You may obtain a form from your child’s school. This form requires a physician, the parent/guardian, and student’s signature. You are strongly encouraged to keep a “backup” supply of any emergency medications such as an inhaler, epipen, diabetes medication, etc. in the school clinic. For further instructions, please call or visit your school clinic. 

For Over-the-Counter, non-Prescription Medication the following guidelines apply: Elementary students must store all medications in the clinic, which may only be administered with parental permission (use form SHS-1); Middle school students may carry medications in the following categories (acetaminophen, antacids, aspirin, cough or throat lozenges, ibuprofen, midol and oral antihistamines) with them during the school day, field trips or other school-related activities if parental permission is provided in advance on the district approved (use form SHS-2); 

Medications can NOT be given by the clinic without the proper forms. These forms are only good for one school year.

A Culture of Care: Amana’s Counseling & Wellbeing Program

The Counseling Department at Amana Academy serves to strengthen and uphold a community in which the well-being of each student is thoughtfully considered and supported by parents, teachers, and staff. Students of diverse needs and strengths will know that they are cared for and expected to achieve. The counseling program utilizes various interventions in order to positively affect the Culture and Character school-wide and within the community at large.

The Counseling and Social Work Department serves to consider and address various student needs. Students may receive support through small group intervention, through classroom-based guidance lessons, or through one-on-one support. Other initiatives, including helping with Middle and High School transitions, culture and character development, and overall wellness are included in this department. Careful and intentional intervention are employed using techniques of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Brief Therapy, Play Therapy, and others. Parent permission will be sought as appropriate, from an ethical standpoint.