Get Ready to Ace the School Year: Pediatric Back-to-School Checklist
Hello EPPC families! The back-to-school season is already upon us, and we’re here to make sure you have everything your family needs for a successful and healthy year ahead.
Will this be the year your kids make it through with fewer sick days? Let’s hope so.
Here are a few easy health-related items to check off your to-do list before the school year runs away with you.
☐ Sports Forms
If your child is gearing up for a sports season, check your online portal for the latest sports forms. Keeping ahead of these forms can keep your kid on the track/field/court, which is why we encourage you to complete these at every adolescent check-up. DId you miss doing it last time? No worries! Fill out your part of the form here and we can take care of the rest! Need a physical or have any concerns? Make that appointment now.
☐ Asthma/ADHD/Other Medication Refills
For our students managing asthma or ADHD, we’ve got your back. Check in with your pharmacy to make sure you have refills available. Because of ADHD medication shortages check if your pharmacy has it in stock before calling for a refill.
Your child’s school will need you to complete a medication form for any medication they will give or you want your older child to carry. This is true for prescription and over-the-counter medications. Any prescription medications at school will need the pharmacy label, so keep that box your child’s inhaler came in! And let us know if you can’t find their spacer to use with asthma inhalers; we can send in a new prescription for it.
☐ Medication Check?
Are you up to date on medication checks? Now’s a good time to dial in medications and dosages.
☐ Immunization Records
If your school needs updated immunization records, no problem. You can access them on our patient portal here. If you have any issues, contact the office. We’ll be happy to help you figure it out.
☐ Get Ahead of the Flu (and Other Viruses)
It really helps your family, and your community, to have some protection before flu season really takes hold. Keep an eye out for our upcoming messages — we’ll let you know when the flu vaccine is available in our clinic.
Make sure your child is up-to-date on COVID vaccines and boosters. We’ll also let you know as new COVID boosters and recommendations come in. Feel free to check in with our office if you’re not sure if your family is up-to-date on their boosters.
While handwashing is always a good idea, with COVID cases rising just as school is starting other precautions are important as well. Check with your school about how they are managing ventilation to keep germs from circulating, and if classroom has an air purifier make sure it is being turned on every day. To really prevent catching COVID, masking is an excellent protection.
☐ Keep/Put Routines in Place
It’s possible some routines have slipped a bit in your household over the summer. It happens! Remind your family of the school year routine, and think about slowly moving bedtimes earlier if needed. If changing schools, talk through what your new routines and schedules will look like. Now’s the time to try to get morning grazers to sit down to a healthy breakfast.
☐ Get Kinder Ready!
First day at Kindergarten coming up? Now’s the time to help your little ones feel confident about toileting and dressing all by themselves. Practice fastening shoes, coats, and zippers. If you’re packing a lunch, take time to work on opening and closing the lunchbox and food containers. Some free Lunch and Play locations are open until August 25th if you’d like to pick up a lunch and practice opening milk boxes. (Tricky!)
After all this practice, your kindergartener will be a pro at those skills and ready to focus on the important stuff — like reading, writing, and recess.
East Portland Pediatrics
Consider us your partners in health and success as you embark on the voyage of this new school year. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if there’s anything we can do to make this transition smoother for you.
Here’s to a fantastic year filled with learning and growth.
And maybe a few quiet moments for you along the way.
Warmest wishes,
The EPPC Team