We’re all stressed about going back to school, and it starts before we want. But exhale. We have a workable, easy plan to ease you into the process and give you peace of mind.
Seems like school starts earlier in August every year, and the back-to-school supply lists and teacher assignments ping in families’ emails throughout the dog days of summer. But we’ve reached the “back 9” now, and it’s time to prepare for back-to-the-books so children (and parents!) can smoothly transition into a healthy school year. You may feel like the pressure’s on, but Maple Health Direct Primary Care (DPC) is here to calm your nerves, manage those last-minute sports and school physicals, and offer wellness insights that will set the whole family up for success.
Let’s Get Physical — Plus the Forms for School Sports
Many schools use the platform FinalForms to help families upload completed physician physical documents and other required waivers by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). As middle-school parents know, OHSAA forms also apply to their team sports to qualify for participation. You’ve been getting reminders from FinalForms or your district’s athletic department to update and complete the forms. This requires a new physical every year.
If you completed a camp physical, you can use the same form to complete your school sports physical requirements. If not, now’s the time to meet with your clinician at Maple Health DPC to seamlessly complete this process for every athlete in your house during one single visit. We know, preparing for school means a lot of moving parts. Consolidating multiple sports physicals for children into a one-stop appointment with same-day service or next day service is a huge time saver.
A ‘Well’ Planned Start to the Schoolyear
Now is an ideal time to plan an annual well-check for children (and parents) before the schoolyear begins and schedules jam up with extracurriculars and myriad obligations. Well-checks are proven to advance better health and ensure health safety, as well. Because childhood is such a time of rapid growth and change, skipping a year is never a good idea.
During the annual exam, we evaluate children’s growth and development. This is an ideal time to discuss hygiene at school like hand-washing and healthy lunch options, along with school bus safety. We never rush these appointments. Unlike at pediatrician or internal medicine offices, Maple Health DPC always plans on at least 45 minutes to discuss your concerns.
Well-checks are a great time for parents and their students to ask questions. Getting answers can ease the transition back to school.
Good Nights, Great Schooldays
We all talk about how sleep is essential, but achieving a good night’s sleep is not always easy. There are steps we can take as families to create a healthy environment for getting needed rest.
First, know the parameters.
As a rule of thumb, teens need eight to 10 hours of sleep, younger children need nine to 12 hours, and preschoolers need up to 13 hours of ZZZs. Parents, you need seven to nine hours. Summertime is often very loose, so gradually working into a positive sleep routine should start a couple of weeks before school starts.
Healthy sleep begins with powering off electronics and shutting down screentime a couple of hours before bedtime. If that’s difficult — and it is for most of us — then set a sleep timer on your smartphone. It will remind you when to dock those devices.
Preventing Common School-Age Health Risks
Looking ahead at the schoolyear, be prepared for some common health risks students face—and this time, we’re not talking about COVID. Head lice, scoliosis, poor vision, and bullying are among the top four identified by Johns Hopkins Medicine. In every case, playtime, sports, and activities cause these issues to surface.
Maintain open conversations with your school-aged children. When they, too, have a partner in Maple Health DPC, we serve as wellness coaches to help children of all ages and their parents manage challenging situations and environments. Plus, when you enroll in a health plan that suits your needs, you have virtually unlimited access to a healthcare professional, discount pharmacy, diagnostics, and care for minor injuries. So, when that football game goes sour, we are here to deliver the care.
Check out what our patients are saying, and come in to meet us. We look forward to guiding your whole family on a pathway toward whole health.
Contact us and let’s start this schoolyear right!
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