School supply list: Pencils? Check. Folders? Check. Back to school physical? Vaccines?
If your children are entering pre-K, kindergarten, sixth or ninth grade or are new to Illinois or Springfield Public Schools, they need a medical checkup. New this year, high school seniors also need the meningococcal vaccine.
For Springfield School District 186, the first day of school is Aug. 24. All required health information is due at that time. If students don’t have the required medical care by Sept. 4, they won’t be allowed to attend school on Sept. 8. In 2013, more than 700 students in Springfield Public School District 186 were excluded from school because of missing physicals and/or immunizations. District officials urge parents to make an appointment with their child’s pediatrician now.
In 2014, the Keep Kids in School Coalition, a group of local health care providers and district officials, worked together to provide physicals and vaccines for students who had difficulty getting to a doctor. This group is a collaborative effort among Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield Public School District 186, Central Counties Health Center, Hospital Sisters Health Systems, Sangamon County Department of Public Health, Sangamon County Medical Society and Urban League.
“Last year we had nearly 100 percent of all District 186 students in compliance with the medical needs for their grade,” said Mike Zimmers, president of the District 186 school board. “We hope this year will be just as successful. This coalition has been a fantastic team effort to help families get their students the required physicals in time for the first day of school.”
To keep kids in school this year, several events are set in August to provide physicals and immunizations for District 186 students. Only students currently attending or entering District 186 are eligible for the physicals. No appointments are necessary for these events. A nominal charge for immunizations will be billed to the parent’s or guardian’s insurance.
Free physicals will be offered:
11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, at the three middle schools: Washington Middle School, 2300 E. Jackson St., Jefferson Middle School, 3001 Allis St., and Grant Middle School, 1800 W. Monroe St. School registration will also be held at this time.
8 a.m.-2 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Jefferson Middle School, Washington Middle School and Grant Middle School. School registration will also be held at this time.
8:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St.
1-6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, 2833 S. Grand Ave East.
For more information, call the school support office at 525-7911.
David Steward, M.D., associate dean for community health and service at SIU School of Medicine, noted, “Working as partners, the coalition has been able to help students have a healthy start to the school year. We hope parents will make that appointment with their primary care provider to ensure their children get a checkup before school starts.”
Make an appointment with your pediatrician or family physician to ensure that your student starts the school year healthy. Parents who have questions about vaccines should talk with their primary care physician, pediatrician or local public health department.
Karen Carlson is director of public relations and communications at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield and mother of a seven-year-old daughter.
