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Medication and nursing at school: what has to be in place before day one
School starts in a few weeks. If your child needs medication, a feeding, a catheterisation, or seizure rescue during the day, the paperwork has to exist before the first bell — not after the first incident.
What the school needs
Written physician orders, parental authorisation, and medication in the original labelled pharmacy container. Ask specifically: who administers it, what happens when that person is absent, and where is it stored. "The office" is not an answer if the office is locked at dismissal.
An individualized healthcare plan is not the same as an IEP
A student can need a health plan without needing special education. A child with a seizure disorder who is academically fine may need a 504 plan and a written seizure action plan, not an IEP. A child who needs the curriculum changed needs an IEP. Knowing which you are asking for saves a lot of arguing.
Nursing at school
If your child requires skilled nursing to attend safely, that is a related service question, and it belongs in the IEP meeting with the district — not a favour you negotiate with the school nurse in August.
When your child cannot be there
Florida districts provide hospital-homebound instruction for students whose medical condition keeps them out for an extended period. It requires physician certification. It is underused, and it keeps a child enrolled and progressing while they recover.