Back-to-School Health Checklist
What Pediatricians Wish Every Parent Did Before School StartsBack-to-School Health ChecklistThe backpack hangs by the door. The lunchbox is washed and waiting. The new sneakers finally fit. If your house. . .
What Pediatricians Wish Every Parent Did Before School StartsBack-to-School Health ChecklistThe backpack hangs by the door. The lunchbox is washed and waiting. The new sneakers finally fit. If your house looks anything like most homes in Buffalo and Monticello right now, you have been checking things off the back-to-school list for weeks. But there is one checklist that matters even more than school supplies. It is your child’s health. Every August, our pediatric and family medicine providers see the same last-minute surprises. Forms that were due yesterday. Vaccines that got missed. A child who cannot see the board but never said a word. The good news is that almost all of these surprises are preventable. This guide walks you through what to do and when to do it, from four weeks out to the first month of school. Think of it as advice from a neighbor who happens to be your child’s healthcare team. Quick NavigationFour Weeks Before SchoolTwo Weeks Before SchoolOne Week Before SchoolThe Night Before SchoolThe First Month of SchoolMyth vs. FactFive Things Pediatricians Wish Every Parent KnewQuestions Parents Forget to AskWhen to Call Your ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsPrintable Back-to-School Health ChecklistNew This YearFour Weeks Before SchoolSchedule the Annual Wellness VisitIf you do only one thing on this list, make it this one. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a wellness visit every year for children and teens. This visit covers far more than height and weight. Your provider checks vision, hearing, growth, development, mood, and more. August appointments fill quickly. Calling now gives you the best choice of times. If your child also needs a sports physical, ask about doing both in the same visit. Check Immunization RecordsMinnesota law requires students to be up to date on certain vaccines or have an exemption on file before school starts. There are extra requirements when children enter kindergarten, seventh grade, and 12th grade. Requirements can change, so check with your school district or ask your provider what your child needs. Waiting until after school starts can mean missed class time and a scramble for records. Getting vaccines done now keeps the first week calm. Think Beyond the School Vision ScreeningSchool screenings are helpful, but they are quick checks, not full eye exams. They can miss problems with close-up vision, eye teaming, and focus. If your child squints, sits close to screens, gets headaches, or avoids reading, ask about a complete eye exam. Do Not Forget the DentistA dental checkup before school means no missed class time later. Tooth pain is a common and often hidden reason kids struggle to focus. Two Weeks Before SchoolStart the Sleep ResetSummer bedtimes drift late. That is normal. But sleep is one of the biggest factors in how kids learn, behave, and feel. School-age children need nine to 12 hours of sleep each night. Teens need eight to 10 hours. Move bedtime earlier by 15 minutes every few nights. By the first day of school, your child’s body clock will be ready. Handle Medications and RefillsCheck every medication your child takes, including inhalers and allergy medicines. Look at expiration dates. Epinephrine injectors and inhalers expire faster than many parents expect. Request refills now so you are not calling the pharmacy on the first day of school. Complete School Health FormsIf your child takes medication at school, the school needs a signed authorization form. Children with asthma, food allergies, seizures, or diabetes also need an updated action plan. Your provider can complete these forms during the wellness visit if you bring them along. Talk About FeelingsAsk your child what they are excited about and what they are nervous about. Some back-to-school jitters are completely normal. Naming worries out loud often shrinks them. Keep these chats short, casual, and pressure-free. Car rides work great. Myth vs. FactMyth:A sports physical replaces the annual wellness visit. Fact:A sports physical focuses only on safety for sports. The wellness visit covers growth, development, mood, vision, hearing, and vaccines. Your child needs both, and often they can happen in one appointment. Myth:The school vision screening means my child’s eyes are fine. Fact:School screenings catch some problems but miss others. A full eye exam looks much deeper. Myth:Vaccines can wait until after school starts. Fact:Minnesota schools require records before or at the start of the year. Waiting can mean missed school days. Myth:My child would tell me if something hurt or looked blurry. Fact:Kids often think what they feel or see is normal. They rarely report gradual changes. That is why checkups matter. Myth:School anxiety always goes away on its own. Fact:Mild jitters usually fade. Anxiety that grows, lasts beyond a few weeks, or causes school avoidance deserves support. Five Things Pediatricians Wish Every Parent KnewThe yearly wellness visit is the single best tool for catching problems early. Sleep affects grades, mood, and behavior more than almost anything else. Kids rarely announce vision, hearing, or emotional struggles. Providers know how to find them. School forms go faster when you bring them to the appointment. No question is too small. If something worries you, it is worth a conversation. Questions Parents Forget to AskBring this list to your child’s next visit:Is my child’s growth on track?Could vision or hearing be affecting schoolwork?Is this much screen time okay?How much sleep does my child really need?Are these headaches or stomachaches something to watch?Is my child’s picky eating normal?When should we worry about attention or focus?What vaccines are coming up in the next year?When to Call Your ProviderCall your provider if your child:Complains of headaches, blurry vision, or trouble seeing the boardHas stomachaches most school morningsShows worry or sadness that lasts more than a few weeksAvoids school or begs to stay homeStruggles with focus, behavior, or learningSnores loudly or fights sleep every nightNeeds school forms, action plans, or medication refillsStellis Health offers same-day and next-day appointments, so help is never far away. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen should I schedule my child’s back-to-school physical?Aim for four to six weeks before school starts. Summer appointments fill fast, so earlier is even better. If school has already started, do not skip it. A wellness visit is valuable any month of the year. Is a sports physical the same as an annual physical?No. A sports physical clears your child to play safely. An annual wellness visit checks total health, including growth, development, vaccines, vision, hearing, and mood. Ask your provider about completing both in one visit. What vaccines does my child need for school in Minnesota?Minnesota requires certain vaccines for all students, with added requirements at kindergarten, seventh grade, and 12th grade. Your school district and your provider can tell you exactly what your child needs. How much sleep does my child need for school?School-age children need nine to 12 hours each night. Teens need eight to 10 hours. Consistent bedtimes matter just as much as total hours. How do I know if my child’s school anxiety is normal?Some nervousness before a new school year is healthy and normal. It usually fades within a few weeks. If worry grows, disrupts sleep, causes daily stomachaches, or leads to school refusal, talk with your provider. What should I do if my child takes medication during school hours?Most schools require a signed medication authorization form from your provider. Bring the form to your child’s appointment and deliver the medication to the school in its original container. My teen seems healthy. Do they still need a checkup?Yes. The teen years bring rapid changes in body, mood, and habits. A yearly visit also gives your teen a trusted adult to talk with privately. Printable Back-to-School Health ChecklistPrint this page or save it to your phone. Four Weeks Before School☐ Schedule the annual wellness visit☐ Schedule the sports physical, if needed☐ Review immunization records and schedule any needed vaccines☐ Schedule a dental checkup☐ Schedule an eye exam if you have any vision concernsTwo Weeks Before School☐ Begin moving bedtime earlier☐ Refill medications and check expiration dates☐ Complete medication authorization forms☐ Update asthma, allergy, or other action plans☐ Talk with your child about the new school yearOne Week Before School☐ Practice the full morning routine☐ Plan simple, healthy lunches and snacks☐ Check backpack weight and fit☐ Practice hand washing habits☐ Deliver medications and forms to the school nurseThe Night Before☐ Lay out clothes and pack the backpack☐ Screens off one hour before bed☐ Lights out at the school-year bedtime☐ End the night with encouragementThe First Month☐ Watch for squinting, headaches, or stomachaches☐ Keep sleep and meal routines steady☐ Check in about friendships and feelings☐ Call your provider with any concernsYou Are More Ready Than You ThinkDeep breath. You do not have to do all of this in one day, and you do not have to do it perfectly. A few simple steps, taken a little at a time, can help your child start the school year healthy, confident, and ready to learn. And you are not doing it alone. For more than 75 years, the providers at Stellis Health have helped Wright County families get ready for moments just like this one. We are not just your healthcare team. We are your neighbors. If your child is due for a wellness visit, needs school or sports forms completed, or you simply have a question, we are here to help. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available at ourBuffaloandMonticelloclinics. Call 763-682-1313 or schedule your child’s back-to-school visit today online byclicking here. New this year:our Monticello Urgent Carelocationis offering weekend well-child checks for school-age and college students (no infants, toddlers, or preschool) through the end of September. A dedicated provider will be on-site, and appointments can be scheduled in advance. This is a great option if your weekdays are packed as the new school year ramps up.