Back to School: Ready for the Bell to Ring

Children across Central Iowa are getting ready to head back to school in the coming days.

Exemplar Care’s Stacy Hennigar, MSN, ARNP, offers up the tips below to ensure your kids are ready to go when that bell rings to start the 2023-24 school year.

  • Get Your Vaccinations

    There are a number of immunizations required of children attending licensed child care centers and elementary or secondary schools. Exemplar Care can ensure your child has the proper vaccinations to protect them and the required documentation to submit to the school. 

  • Complete Your Annual Physical/Sports Physical

    To ensure your child is developing in line with established benchmarks like height and weight, and to address any physical, social or emotional issues they may be dealing with, it is important they have a physical annually. If your child is in high school and plans to participate in school-sponsored sports, they must have a sports physical annually. We provide these physicals and complete the required paperwork to ensure they are ready to compete. 

  • Develop a Relationship

    The school years can be difficult. As such, it is a good idea to have a trusted adult—like a healthcare provider—in your child’s corner. Regular visits to your primary care provider help your child build trust and develop a relationship with someone looking out for their long-term well-being. Their provider is critical in helping them understand the importance of things like a regular sleep schedule, healthy diet, and staying hydrated. Additionally, a trusted provider can also assist them by talking through issues like bullying, peer pressure and other common issues with teens.

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