Back-to-School Details

From Joanna Moyer-Diener, EMS Health Coordinator

Please have all updated records and forms mentioned below turned in by August 1. Actual medications can be dropped off in the office on the first day of school.

Screenings:

Since we are not a full service school health clinic, we do not necessarily have all of the hearing and vision screenings completed in other schools. When your child goes to the provider for a physical exam, we encourage you to ask about having their hearing and vision screened.

Medications:

First, If your student will need to take any medications during the school day, please note that these must be stored in the office, where students can come as needed to take them. All medications must be clearly labeled, in their original container and a Medication Authorization Form must be completed. A physician/provider signature is required on this form if the medication is to be given longer than 10 working days, if the package states “Consult Physician” or if there is a discrepancy between parents’ instructions and label/packaging instructions. A physician signature is always required for Epi-pens, inhalers, and medications for diabetes.

Emergency Action Plans for Health:

• Additionally, as required by law, any students who have asthma and have an inhaler at school, seizures, or severe anaphylaxis/allergies and an Epi-pen must also complete an Action/Emergency Care Plan, including a provider’s signature. Students who have diabetes need to submit a Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP). These forms must be completed and submitted annually. If applicable to your student, please submit these completed forms to school along with the prescription inhaler, epinephrine auto-injector, or other needed emergency medications: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan or Asthma Care Plan. If your student has both the provider’s and your permission to self carry their inhaler, Epi-pen, or medication for diabetes, please have that noted on this form as well.We hope this information helps you to have enough time to discuss this with your provider, and get any needed signatures. If your provider has a standard form they use with the same information, that could be submitted instead. Providers are accustomed to having to submit this information to schools, and often can fax it to us after they have signed it. Our fax number is 540-236-6028.Medications can be dropped off at the office before school starts. Once the school year has started, we ask that medications be dropped off in the mornings before the school day starts so that students are not carrying the medications with them throughout the day.

Immunizations:

We want to provide information regarding the immunizations that are required for entry into school according to the Code of Virginia. Starting 2021, there were some important changes for immunization requirements, particularly for rising 7th and 12th graders. More details are listed here: www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/requirements. In order for your student to start school, we will need to have documentation of the required immunizations. If you aren't sure whether your student has already received these immunizations, please contact your provider and send us any updates.

If this is a helpful option for you, the Harrisonburg Rockingham Health Department has added additional immunization clinics for school entry vaccines. Their usual clinics are on Tuesday mornings and all day on Thursday by appointment. Additionally, Wednesday, July 20 and July 27 appointments are available 12:45-3:30, and Wednesday, August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 appointments are from 2:00-5:45. Call 540-574-5102 to make an appointment. 

If your appointment is scheduled for after the start of the school year, please inform the school so we can make note of your student’s pending appointment to receive the required immunizations.

Many thanks for your cooperation and collaboration!