Back to School, Back on Track: What Every Family Should Do Before the Bell Rings

Summer goes fast. One minute you are at the pool, and the next you are hunting for a backpack and trying to remember where you put the school supply list. Before the chaos of the first day takes over, there is one item that deserves a spot at the top of your to-do list: your child's health.

At Nurture Pediatrics, we see it every year. Families rush in during the last two weeks of August because a school physical is required for enrollment, a sports form needs to be signed, or a medication check has not happened since spring. We love seeing your kids no matter when you come in, but we also know that scheduling early makes everything easier for your family and ours.

Here is what to think about before school starts:

Well visits and school physicals

Most schools require an updated physical on file, and for good reason. A well visit gives your child's provider a chance to check in on growth, development, vision, hearing, and overall health. It is also a great time to ask questions you have been holding onto since the last visit. If your child plays a sport, their TSSAA sports physical can be completed at the same time at no additional cost. For the 2026-2027 school year, physicals completed on or after April 15, 2026 are valid.

Immunizations

Back to school season is one of the most important times to make sure your child is up to date on required vaccines. Tennessee has specific immunization requirements by grade level, and schools do check. If you are not sure where your child stands, give us a call. We can pull their records and let you know what is needed before the first day.



Medication management

If your child takes a daily medication, summer can throw off the routine. Before school starts, make sure their prescription is current, refills are in order, and any forms needed by the school nurse are completed. A medication maintenance visit is required before we can process refill requests, so do not wait until the week before school to get this on the schedule.

Mental health check-in

Starting a new school year can bring up big feelings, especially for kids heading into a new school, a new grade, or navigating friendships and social pressures. It is worth taking a few minutes to talk with your child about how they are feeling about the year ahead. If you have concerns about anxiety, attention, or behavior, your child's well visit is a great place to start that conversation.

A note for our Smyrna and Nolensville families

Our schedules fill up quickly this time of year, and we want to make sure your family gets the appointment time that works best for you. Whether you are a long-time patient or just getting established with us, we would love to be your partner this school year and every year after.

Call us at our Smyrna office at 615-223-5565 or our Nolensville office at 615-776-8703, or visit nurturepediatrics.com to schedule. We are here, and we are ready for the school year if you are.

Here is to a happy, healthy school year for every kid in our community.