Guest Author - Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, MD, FAAP

It’s hard to believe we are talking about school again. Getting ready for a new school year can be challenging – especially with summer plans winding down. Medical, emotional, academic and extracurricular aspects of your kids’ lives needs to be organized almost overnight and often involve reams of paperwork and contacting your child’s doctor.

Needless to say, school/sports physicals are an important part of each school year, even if not “mandated” by your school. If your children participate in sports, yearly physicals are especially crucial for keeping your child safe and healthy for each season. So, plan ahead and make these appointments early! Otherwise, you may find your child restricted from participating until you are able to get that all important PE certification.

To help you keep tabs of all the nuts and bolts for starting a new school year, the American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a comprehensive checklist. Not all of these items will apply to each child each year but can still help you to prioritize what is important for your child:

• Is your child up-to-date on immunizations?
• When was your child’s last physical?
• Have you filled the health information and emergency contact forms for the school?
• Does your child understand his usual school routine – when school starts and end, and afterschool plans
• What are your child’s lunch and snack plans?
• Does your child have the appropriate clothes for school? Be sure to know any restrictions and special needs for activities like art and gym. For younger kids, extra clothing is a must for those “just in case” times.
• Does your child need medications at school or for emergencies? This is particularly important for kids with asthma, food allergies, and diabetes.
• If your child has identified learning issues, does the new teacher know? Is a plan in place that you are satisfied with?
• Does your child know where the school is and understand traffic rules if walking, biking or driving to school? When possible, try to not have your children head to school by themselves – walking or biking with a buddy is the safest way.
• Did you review stranger safety with your child – to never accept rides, candy, or any other invitation?
• Is your child’s back pack the proper size and weight? Avoid obvious identifying marks such as your child’s name (but initials are OK).
• Have you reviewed with your child what to do with bullies?
• Make sure afterschool plans include time for homework, a snack, some free time and a reasonable bedtime. Kids learn best with down time and enough sleep!
• Is your child nervous about starting the new year? Are there any lingering concerns from the past year?
• Does your child have enough time for breakfast? It is hard to learn and do well with no energy to burn!
• Is this a new school for your child? Have you made arrangements to see the school and a typical classroom?

Kids often have very loose routines over the summer, if any. As you wind down the summer, slipping into a more regular routine will help your child’s body prepare for another year of schedules.

The first day of school gives everyone butterflies – parents, students and teachers – even if returning to a familiar school. Paying attention to a few extra details and being available those first few weeks for extra TLC will go a long way in helping you and your child adjust to another year filled with new challenges and new experiences.