Returning to the cadence of the school year can be a stressful and challenging time not just for kids, but for the whole family. Whether it’s starting a new school or shifting from your summer schedule, it’s normal for kids to need some time to adjust to a different routine.

“Be excited and prepared for your kids to start school,” says associate clinical manager Sasha Jacobs, B.S.N., RN, NCSN. “Encouragement can go a long way.”

We’ve asked our experts the hard questions and compiled back-to-school tips to help ease the transition.

Back-to-school health tips

What appointments does my child need before starting school?

1. About a month before school starts, schedule a checkup with your child’s pediatrician, also called well-child visits or wellness checks. These are crucial for your child’s physical and mental health.
2. Vaccines help protect your child from viruses that cause illnesses such as COVID-19, chickenpox and influenza. Your pediatrician can make sure your child is up to date and help you follow the immunization schedule provided by your child’s school and the state of Colorado.
3. Many schools and state-sanctioned sports require a sports physical to play. Schedule this exam alongside the wellness check to guarantee your child is ready to play.

How do I set up a medication plan with my child’s school for asthma, diabetes, allergies or other chronic conditions?

1. If your child has a chronic condition or food allergy, their school needs to know about it. First let the school nurse know and provide a health plan signed by your child’s pediatrician, such as diabetes orders or an asthma action plan, to identify medication doses and/or what to do in an emergency.
2. Bring any medications your child needs to the school nurse for use either daily (insulin) or in an emergency (EpiPen).

When is my child too sick for school?

1. It’s important for kids to be in school as much as possible, but sometimes your child needs to rest and recover. A good rule of thumb is if the child needs more care and attention than teachers and staff can give while assisting other children, your child may be too sick to go to school.
2. Common symptoms that require a child to stay home include diarrhea, a severe or new cough, high fever, flu-like symptoms and vomiting.
3. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment shares the “How Sick is Too Sick” guide to help parents and caregivers keep their children healthy and communities safe.

How can I help my child with their school anxiety or school refusal?

1. Anxiety most often shows up in the form of exhaustion, stomach aches and headaches.
2. Identify and communicate any mental health struggles with your child’s school nurse and school psychologist to come up with a supportive plan, including strategies to combat anxiety, such as box breathing or sensation exercises.
3. Sometimes strategies aren’t enough. Try having your child label their anxiety like a stoplight: Green means good to go, yellow means yield and use strategies, and red means the possibility of leaving the environment.
4. Notice when anxiety becomes school refusal and help your child build resilience to get through the school day.
5. Be excited for them and make going back to school a big deal. Feeling loved and encouraged can help regulate anxious thoughts.
6. Look for events, such as picture day, fun holiday activities or field trips, to volunteer at that give your child something to look forward to.

How can I help my child if they need more assistance in the classroom?

1. Sometimes children need some extra help in the classroom, which can be provided by an evaluation and a plan. These might include:
   • An individualized education plan (IEP) for students with disabilities that need educational support. This plan is legally mandated and is developed by a team of teachers and parents, and sometimes includes the student. This can include modifications to the curriculum and specialized instruction that can change as your child grows. In addition to educational support, IEPs can also cover other types of support your child may need such as mental health.
   • A 504 plan provides accommodations and support for students with disabilities in a regular classroom setting. This can look like sitting closer to the board, adjusting testing locations or using assisted technology.
2. If your child doesn’t qualify for one of these plans, it can be helpful to work with your child’s teacher to identify peer groups, tutoring options and other support programs that can help.

Back-to-school gear and supplies

What do I need for my child to go back to school?

1. Most large retailers have lists of school supplies by grade level available if you don’t receive a list from your child’s school.
2. Your child may need sports gear during the year. Ask a coach or physical education instructor for guidance.
3. Make sure to label school supplies, sports equipment and any lunch boxes as children may leave or misplace their belongings at school.
4. Ensure your child’s clothing fits the dress code provided by the school, whether that includes a specific uniform or the cut or color of certain pieces.
5. If you need assistance with school supplies, 2-1-1 Colorado is a free resource that can help you find school supply drives in your area.

Back-to-school nutrition tips

How can I establish healthy eating habits during the school week?

1. Find ways to mimic the same schedule at home that your child will follow when they go back to school, especially having lunch at the same time if possible.
2. Plan for lunches, whether that means reviewing the cafeteria calendar or practicing packing balanced snacks and meals.
3. Many teachers ask to have each child bring a water bottle to keep hydrated while learning.
4. Breakfast can be hard to make in a pinch, so have on-the-go or easy breakfasts for those rushed mornings.

Back-to-school routines

How can I re-establish bedtime and morning routines after the long summer break?

1. Summer can be a lawless time full of lots of screentime and late bedtimes, but kids need a lot of sleep to thrive. Try limiting screens an hour or more before bed, and social media use for older kiddos, to ensure a good night's rest.
2. Set timers to slowly integrate a school-appropriate schedule. That can mean adjusting bedtime and wake time by 15 to 30 minutes each day for a week to ensure that school mornings go smoothly.
3. Reintegrate a consistent bedtime routine, such as a calming bath or reading a book, to signal that it’s bedtime.

How can I help my child with those first-day jitters?

1. New experiences can be scary, but talking through the first day and answering any questions on what the day and consecutive days will look like can release some of those jitters.
2. Attending an open house or orientation at the school to meet teachers and staff can help your child feel more comfortable.
3. Whether it’s a bus, bike or an adult picking your child up, confirm transportation plans to and from school for safety.

How can I help my child stay on track?

1. Providing a designated homework station can help you and your child keep up with assignments. This could be a certain spot at the kitchen table or a desk that has all the necessities to get homework done.
2. Keeping an updated family calendar in a common location allows children to see what their day has in store and can ease some anxiety.
3. Prepare for the next day by getting things ready ahead of time, including backpacks, lunches and laying out clothes.

Tips on bullying

What to do if you suspect your child is being bullied?

1. Many schools continue to face issues related to bullying. It’s important to talk to your child about bullying and how to handle situations that may be uncomfortable.
2. Contact the school, especially your child’s classroom teacher, who can escalate to other school staff, if needed.