Back to School Physicals

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to remind parents and caregivers about back to school physicals for students. A physical exam is required for students entering certain grades in order to be medically cleared to start school on August 26, 2026. This includes: Students entering Kindergarten will need a physical dated on or after August 26, 2025. Part of the physical must include lead and hemoglobin levels, and students must be up to date on school required vaccines. Students entering seventh or tenth grade will need a physical dated on or after June 1, 2025. If your child is entering seventh grade they must have their Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines.  The physical exam visit is a great time to complete forms for medication authorization, refill prescriptions and ask questions or address concerns. Medication orders are required for all medications, including over the counter medications, and a new form is needed every new school year. Starting Thursday, August 20, appointments can be scheduled to drop off any medications and the signed medication authorization form to the school health office. As a reminder, students cannot carry any medications to school.  If your child will be participating in sports next school year, they will also need a sports physical dated 13 months before the first day of try-outs or practice. Please check with coaches or the school nurse about specific requirements. Sports physicals help identify conditions that could affect safe participation in athletic activities. Even if your child has played sports before, annual evaluations remain important because health needs can change as children grow. We understand that accessibility to back to school physicals may be a barrier for families, which is why our Public Health Clinic will be partnering with Community Health Center, Inc. this summer to provide the physicals at 165 Miller Street. Appointments will start on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 8:30am and 1:30pm starting Tuesday, July 7 through Thursday, August 6. To schedule an appointment please call Community Health Center at (475) 231-6978. Paperwork, including physical exams and proof of immunizations, must be received by our Public Health Clinic before the first day of school in order for your child to be medically cleared to attend. Our Clinic, located at 165 Miller Street, is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. We will be open until 6:00pm on Wednesday, June 24 for those needing after-hours drop off. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call our Clinic at (203) 630-4234.