Back to School Checklist

Going back to school means a change in routine, new haircuts, new shoes, a new classroom and maybe even a new school. That can be exciting for some kids and terrifying for others. Either way, you can ease everyone into the school year by preparing early. Get the vaccines out of the way before health departments and doctor’s offices fill up. Take some time to review how your kids will get to school. Do you need to set up car-pooling for afterschool activities? Familiarize yourself and your child with routines and school information now, and you’ll be more than ready for a smooth start on that first day.

Routine School Vaccine Requirements

All children 2 months of age and older must have an immunization record to attend school in Oklahoma. For complete information, including what to do if your child is behind on vaccines, go to oklahoma.gov or talk to your child’s healthcare provider. You may also go to the Tulsa Health Department for immunizations and vaccines. Children through age 18 may be eligible to receive vaccines at no charge through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

• Central Regional Health Center 315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK 74104-2203
• Collinsville Health Center​ 1201 W. Center St., Collinsville, OK 74021
• James O. Goodwin Health Center​ 5051 S. 129^th E. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74134
• North Regional Health & Wellness Center​ 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tulsa, OK 74126
• Sand Springs Health Center​ 306 E. Broadway, Sand Springs, OK 74063

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit tulsa-health.org or call 918.582.9355.

Childcare/Daycare Vaccines

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
• PCV (pneumococcal)
• Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• IPV (polio)
• Hep A (hepatitis A)
• Hep B (hepatitis B)

A seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination is recommended.

Kindergarten-6th Grade Vaccines

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• IPV (polio)
• Hep A (hepatitis A)
• Hep B (hepatitis B)

Recommended additional immunizations include seasonal influenza (flu), a second varicella shot at 4 years old and a polio vaccination on or after the 4th birthday

7th-12th Grade Vaccines

• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• IPV (polio)
• Hep A (hepatitis A)
• Hep B (hepatitis B)

Recommended immunizations include seasonal flu, the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, the MCV4 (meningococcal ACWY) and Men B (meningococcal serotype B) immunizations

Eye Health

Vision screenings are recommended at least once for all children aged 3 to 5 years. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends having eyes checked between 12 and 36 months. An eye exam can catch visual disorders or diseases early, so that your child can start school seeing clearly. Many times, visual problems and disorders may go unnoticed by parents or teachers, and children may not know that they have a problem.

Dental Health

While you’re thinking of your children’s health, don’t forget their teeth. With new schedules, lunches and snacks, brushing may suffer. Dentists can ensure that kids start school with a healthy, plaque-free mouth. Lurking tooth decay or other oral health problems can be spotted and addressed. You can ask about sealants, fluoride coating, good brushing habits and tooth alignment.

Read additional Dental Health tips from On the Cusp at tulsakids.com/keep-your-kids-dental-health-with-this-checklist

Hearing Checks

Make sure your child’s hearing is checked. Hearing loss can hamper learning and social development. The Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders at The University of Tulsa provides free speech-language and hearing screenings for children.

Back-to-School Physicals

A general physical exam will make sure your child is ready for school. For kids and teens involved in sports, a physical may be required. Health providers can check the musculoskeletal system as well as checking all the vital signs. They can also identify and treat health problems or chronic illnesses such as asthma.

Back-to-School Safety

Explain and practice safety tips with children several times before school starts.

• Walking & Biking. If your child will be walking or biking to school, take the route with them several times before school starts. When biking, always wear a helmet. Remind them of traffic rules for pedestrians and bikes. Tell them to make eye contact with drivers before crossing streets or intersections. Look right, left, right before crossing. Children younger than age 10 should cross the street with an adult.
• Bus. Go to the bus stop with your child and remind them of bus safety rules. Children should stand 6 feet away from the curb. If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach them to go 10 feet ahead and make eye contact with the driver before crossing.
• Electronic Distractions. Remind kids and teens to never use phones, headphones or other electronic distractions while walking or riding a bike.

Before the Big Day

• Check your child’s school website and Facebook page for information like back-to-school nights, school rules, school supply lists and general information.
• Join PTA.
• Find out the best way to contact your child’s teacher, the school and how to access grading/homework portals.
• Ease your child’s curiosity or anxiety by touring the school, meeting the teacher, finding the classroom, cafeteria, gym and lockers before school starts. Often, you can do this at back-to-school night.
• Listen to your child, let them ask questions, ease their anxieties with information they can use.
• Start a fall bedtime routine a couple weeks before the first day of school.
• Have a plan for screentime, phone use, school/home communication and homework expectations. Some families create family contracts.
• Go over school and classroom rules with your child, including bus numbers, drop-off and pick-up routines.
• Make sure your child knows their address and your phone number. Have an agreed upon emergency contact person.
• Find ways to volunteer at your child’s school.
• Remember that it is now Oklahoma law that kids cannot use cell phones during school hours.