Back to School Letter

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a safe and happy summer.

The Clinic will be open from 8:05am – 3:30pm every school day.

Students MUST report to Homeroom before coming to see me in the mornings!

Students are welcome to stop by the Clinic anytime, permitted they have let their teacher know.  It will be at teacher discretion during class when a student may come see me (except in emergency cases).           

If your student is prone to headaches, please bring in Tylenol or Advil.  A bottle of 24-50 tablets is generally enough for the school year.  All medication must be in the original bottle. Medication in unmarked bottles or bags will not be accepted or administered (page 12 RCPS Handbook).  A completed Parent Authorization for the Administration of Medication form, found in your RCPS Handbook on page 14, must accompany these items.  More forms are available in the office, the Clinic, or on our Web site.  Medication should not be sent to school with a student.  All medication is to be delivered to the school by an adult.  This is RCPS policy as stated in your RCPS Handbook on page 12.

If your student has asthma, please be sure that all forms are on file with me.  If your student wishes to carry his/her inhaler with them during the day, a consent form MUST to be signed by you or their doctor for them to do so.  I also request that a spare inhaler be kept in the clinic.  Please see me and we will discuss your student’s individual asthma needs.

Young ladies need to keep monthly supplies in their lockers, purse, or backpack.  I will have limited supplies available, for unexpected needs.

Students will be sent home if they are vomiting, running a fever of 100 or greater, or if they are considered contagious.  All other students will remain in school, with few exceptions.  PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE NURSE OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY.

Students are NOT permitted to use cell phones to call or text message parents to come pick them up.  Students who do this will be subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined on page 37 of RCPS Handbook.

Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) checks are no longer a required screening exam.  If you wish your student to be checked for scoliosis, please call me and I will do so on an individual basis.  Please refer to page 3 of RCPS Handbook for more information on Scoliosis.

Vision and hearing screenings for 7th graders will be conducted throughout the month of September.  If your student does not pass either screening, you will be notified by phone call or mail by the end of October. 

If you have concerns about your student’s vision and have not been contacted by me, please feel free to call or email me with your concern.  I am able to randomly screen 6th and 8th graders with parent consent.

WATER BOTTLES ARE NOT PERMITTED BY ANY STUDENT WITHOUT A DOCTOR’S NOTE!   This is a RCPS Policy located on page 92 article number 3ii in the Student Handbook.

If your student needs to carry a water bottle, please notify me so that proper documentation may be put in place.  ALL bottles must be CLEAR and COLORLESS and contain PLAIN WATER ONLY!  This is a policy specific to JFH.  Any misuse of the policy is subject to a meeting with the student, parent, school nurse, and a principal.

If you have questions about your student’s medical needs, I may be reached at school from 8:05-3:30 daily.   I may also be contacted by e-mail.  My e-mail address is

marmentrout@rockingham.k12.va.us

I look forward to another great year of taking care of our students!

Melinda Armentrout, LPN

Hillyard Middle School Nurse