Back to School Reminders

It's time to think about ways to keep your children healthy and safe this school year. Vaccinations, eye exams, bike helmets, and healthy snacks are at the top the back-to-school health tip list.

Disease Prevention

Protect yourself from COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
It is common to get sick from respiratory viruses such as COVID-19flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially in the fall and winter. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and others. Learn about whether you’re more likely to get seriously ill, how to prevent these viruses, and if these viruses are spreading in your community.

To help prevent respiratory viruses, Rhode Islanders should:

  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, and school.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Keep children home from daycare or school who have fever, especially with a cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat, until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever.
  • Contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider if you believe your child needs medical care. Your provider can offer advice on whether your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for COVID, RSV, or flu, and the best location (doctor's office, urgent care, emergency room) for care.
  • Get your flu shot. Everyone older than six months of age should be vaccinated every year. For information on where to get a flu shot, see health.ri.gov/flu.
  • Be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. For many people, that means getting a booster. For information on how to get vaccinated against COVID-19, see C19vaccineRI.org.

Germ Fighting

Hand washing is one of the simplest and most effective means of preventing the spread of infectious diseases. If soap and warm water are not available, consider giving your child packets of hand sanitizer. Clean counters regularly with cleanser or soap to lower germs that may hitch a ride back home from school.

Planning for Sick Days

Make plans ahead of time to care for your children in case they get sick. If your child has a fever, keep them home from school until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medications such as Tylenol or Advil.

School Flu Clinics

The school flu vaccination program will once again run throughout Rhode Island this year. Clinics for students in kindergarten through 12th grade will begin in October and run through mid-December. Evening clinics are open to community members (ages 3 and up). more

Immunizations

Make sure that your child has recieved all the immunizations that are required for school entry. Children need certain immunizations before entry into pre-k, kindergarten, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 12th grade. more High school students can be immunized against many vaccine-preventable diseases through the state's Vaccinate Before You Graduate program. more

 

Healthy Living, Injury Prevention and Safety

School-Based Health Centers

School-based health centers make getting healthcare easy for students because they do not have to leave school and do not need medical insurance to receive services. Find a school based health center near you.

Healthy Snacks

Set a good example and promote good health habits for children by eating healthily and being physically active. Provide healthy options for your child's meals and snacks at school. more You can also view inspection reports for the state's school cafeterias.

Eye Exams

Every child should have a complete eye exam by age three. Serious eye diseases such as Amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed eyes) are correctable with eye patches or surgery if caught early. All children entering kindergarten are required by state law to have a vision screening before the start of the school year.

Pedestrian Safety

Walking has great health benefits, but a walk to school should be safe. Learn how you can help your child be the safest pedestrian possible. more

Bicycle Safety

Be sure your child wears a properly-fitted bicycle helmet and follows a safe route when riding to and from school. State law requires that bicycle operators, bicycle passengers, skateboarders, roller skaters, inline skaters, and scooter riders 15 years old and younger wear a helmet.

Backpack Overload

Make sure children are not having back pain as a result of carrying a backpack to school. Look for packs with individual compartments and put heaviest items closest to the body. Sharp objects like pencils should be in smaller pockets on the outside. School back packs should have two shoulder straps and your child should use both. more

Bullying

Schools should be safe and supportive environments. Rhode Island Statewide Bullying Policy prohibits bullying in schools and recommends ways to prevent it.

Sports-Related Concussions

Concussions can occur in sports or recreational activity. Sports-related injuries are one of the primary causes of Traumatic Brain Injury in school-aged children. Athletes who return to play before they are cleared by a physician could risk serious or permanent injury.