By Aria A. and Hannah H.

This month, after 26 years at Rowland Hall, Debbie Skidmore—known as Nurse Debbie to students—will retire. In addition to her most recent role as McCarthey Campus nurse assistant, Debbie has worked as a Lower School lunchroom monitor, recess monitor, and Extended Day support person. In honor of her retirement, fourth graders Aria A. and Hannah H. recently sat down with Debbie to chat about her time at Rowland Hall and what she’s looking forward to in the next chapter of her life.

Debbie has been a nurse at Rowland Hall for over 20 years! I think students at Rowland Hall will miss her very much and this will be a reminder of how great she was. We will always keep her in our hearts. We will never ever forget Debbie.

How did you start working here?

A good friend of mine in 1994 told me that she was going to be quitting lunchroom duty and asked me if I wanted to take her place, and I had never heard of Rowland Hall before and it sounded cool.

What was your most memorable moment working here?

I just love Rowland Hall.—Debbie Skidmore, retiring nurse assistant

One time a fifth grade girl fell off the monkey bars and she broke her arm, and that was the first time I ever saw a broken arm before. It went straight, and then in a U shape, and then straight. And because children’s bones are soft that’s what happened.

How has this community impacted you?

It just enlightened my mind of possibilities and high standards of how to treat children, and I just love Rowland Hall.

What will you miss most about Rowland Hall?

Just helping the children and making them feel happy when they’re feeling sad, especially the little kids. I would close the blinds, and let them lay down, and when it’s time to go back to class they’re all happy.

What are you looking forward to most about being retired?

Playing with my grandchildren; learning how to cook better food, healthier food; being healthier; and doing deeds in my neighborhood, helping my neighbors.

Nurse Debbie is an AWESOME person. Everyone at Rowland Hall will miss her. We are very thankful to have had her in our lives.

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