Back-to-school checklist: Get off to a healthy start

It still feels like summer outside, but another school year is just around the corner. Is your family ready?

Whether your child is entering kindergarten or heading off to college, the start of a new school year is often stressful. Thankfully, there are many things you can do before school begins (that’s now!) to prepare your child for a fun, healthy, and productive year.

Buying school supplies is important, but prioritizing your child’s health and well-being is even more so. MD Now urgent care is here to help with back-to-school physical exams, vaccinations, and so much more.

This back-to-school checklist will guide you through every step of the process, going beyond backpacks and books to help your child start the school year in the healthiest way possible.

Begin with back-to-school essentials

For children who are dreading the end of summer, shopping for new school supplies may add some excitement about the new school year. Many schools provide personalized lists by class or grade level, but these back-to-school essentials can help you get started:

• Backpack
• Lunch box
• Water bottle (drinking water throughout the day helps prevent dehydration)
• Pens
• Pencils
• Pencil sharpener
• Erasers
• Highlighters
• Glue sticks
• Notebooks
• Folders
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Laptop (for older children)

Meet the teacher

Hopefully, you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher(s) before school starts. If so, you should take advantage of it.

Meeting the teacher helps establish a positive child-teacher and parent-teacher relationship from the very beginning. It also encourages clear communication between all parties and provides a great foundation for your child’s academic success.

Schedule a back-to-school exam

No back-to-school checklist is complete without a back-to-school exam, such as a back-to-school physical or back-to-school sports physical.

The end of summer is often busy as families wrap up their summer vacations and shop for school supplies. MD Now makes it easy to get a school or sports physical on your schedule, with no appointment necessary – just walk in or use our convenient Web Check-In®.

School physical

A school physical is often a requirement before kids K through 12 head back to the books for the school year. The physician-led team of healthcare professionals at MD Now will review your child’s medical background, conduct a thorough exam, and then discuss any concerns with you. We can also provide vaccinations (see below) and treat many common illnesses and injuries.

Sports physical

Most children who want to play sports in school are required to have a sports physical. This exam helps determine if a child is healthy enough to participate in a certain sport or activity. Sports physicals are especially important for children with an existing health issue, such as asthma, a prior injury, or a heart condition (sometimes, an EKG is required). You can count on MD Now to get you to the finish line.

Update any vaccinations

Your MD Now provider can check your child’s vaccination records to make sure they are up-to-date on all required vaccines and immunizations. Your child’s school may have specific requirements, so it’s important to review their policies before your visit. We also provide flu shots, which are the best way to protect your child from the flu virus.

Review your child’s medication needs

If your child requires medication during school hours, MD Now can ensure that all their necessary prescriptions are current and fillable. Inform the school nurse or your school’s administration about your child’s medication needs and provide them with any relevant instructions.

Update emergency contact information

In case of an illness, injury, or any other emergency, it’s crucial for the school to be able to reach you (or another designated emergency contact) promptly. Before school starts, make sure they have accurate emergency contact information for you and your child.

Back to bedtime

Staying up late is a summer ritual for many children, especially teens. But the school alarm clock is here, and getting enough quality sleep can play a major role in your child’s academic success.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children ages 6-12 get 9-12 hours of sleep per night, and teens ages 13-18 get 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Is your child’s sleep routine out of whack? Set a bedtime ASAP so your child can adjust before school starts.

Back to school begins at MD Now

As you prepare for your child’s return to school, MD Now is here to support you every step of the way. We make it easy to get the high-quality healthcare your family deserves – just walk in or use our convenient Web Check-In® and wait from home until it’s time for your visit.

Have a great school year!

About MD Now® urgent care

MD Now urgent care is Florida’s largest urgent care operator with more than 110  state-of-the-art clinics conveniently located across Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Saint Lucie, Sarasota, and Seminole Counties. MD Now urgent care’s physician-led team of healthcare professionals provides high-quality healthcare through a comprehensive lineup of urgent care and occupational health services during convenient hours. MD Now urgent care is proud to be affiliated with HCA Florida Healthcare. For more information, visit the MD Now website.