By: John Hsieh & Yvette Boileau-Lanni, MS, PA-C
Published: Aug 15th, 2025
Back-to-school season is full of excitement and change. Between forms, supplies, and new routines, it’s easy for health to slip off the radar. This checklist helps you keep it front and center so your child starts the year strong.
Back to school is an exciting, yet stressful time. Forms, supplies, schedules. Everything piles up quickly. Health shouldn’t be the thing that gets overlooked. This checklist covers what parents actually need to know: physicals, vaccines, routines, and sick-day prep. No noise. Just what matters most.
Before the first bell rings, it’s worth making sure your child is ready to learn, play, and stay healthy all year. A back-to-school physical is the easiest way to do it. In one visit, you can get school and sports forms signed, check growth, vision and hearing, update vaccines, and talk through any concerns about sleep, learning, or behavior.
If your child plays sports, bring the school’s sports physical form with you. Most districts require it to be signed after a specific date each year, so check that deadline before you schedule. During the visit, mention any recent injuries, fainting, chest pain with exercise, wheezing, or a family history of early heart problems. These details help your clinician decide if any extra steps are needed before the season starts.
After the visit, send a copy of the signed form to the school and save a photo so you’re not searching for paperwork during tryouts.
Making sure your child’s vaccines are up to date is one of the easiest ways to avoid missed school days and last-minute clinic visits. Most schools in Michigan require proof of certain immunizations when registering in to a new district. Bring your child’s immunization record to the visit so your clinician can verify what’s needed and sign any forms. Check your district’s requirements for Michigan-specific rules, and review the CDC’s child and adolescent schedule to see the national recommendations.
Getting these updates out of the way early means fewer delays with school registration, sports, and other activities once the year begins
If your child takes daily medication or has a health condition that may need attention during the school day, make sure the school is prepared before the first bell. Without the right paperwork and supplies on site, staff may not be able to give treatment when it’s needed.
Update any care plans for conditions like asthma, severe allergies, diabetes, or seizures. These plans outline what symptoms to watch for, what steps to take, and when to call for help. Most schools require updated versions each year, signed by a clinician.
Back-to-school medication checklist
For younger children, school staff will handle all medication. Older students may be allowed to self-carry certain medications, like inhalers or EpiPens, if they have the proper permissions and understand how to use them.
Taking care of these steps early helps the school respond quickly if your child needs medication or care during the day.
A predictable routine makes school days smoother and supports better focus, mood, and energy. In the weeks before school starts, adjust bedtimes and wake-up times so your child is on schedule by the first day. Most school-aged children need 9 to 12 hours of sleep, depending on age. Keep screens out of bedrooms at night to help with sleep quality.
Mornings are easier when a few things are handled the night before. Set out clothes, pack backpacks, and prepare lunches in advance. Encourage daily habits that support health, such as handwashing before meals, packing a water bottle, and eating a balanced breakfast. Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days and set consistent limits on recreational screen time to make room for movement, homework, and rest.
Taking care of these back-to-school health steps now helps your child start the year healthy, prepared, and confident. From scheduling physicals and keeping vaccines current to managing any ongoing health needs and building strong daily routines, a little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth and successful school year.
With DPC now officially compatible with HSAs, there’s never been a better time to take control of your healthcare.
Join SALTA today or schedule a free consultation to see how Direct Primary Care can work for you.
John Hsieh is the Director of Growth at SALTA Direct Primary Care and the Michigan Chapter Lead for the Free Market Medical Association (FMMA). He is passionate about transforming healthcare through patient-centered models like DPC and works closely with employers, brokers, and clinicians to drive cost-effective, high-quality care.
Yvette Boileau-Lanni, MS, PA-C, is the Primary Care Clinical Lead at SALTA Direct Primary Care in Auburn Hills. She brings over 17 years of experience in family medicine and nine years in neurology, and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Yvette is passionate about delivering patient-centered, relationship-based care and draws on her expertise in family and sports medicine, emergency and urgent care, and public health to help patients achieve long-term health and well-being.