Rhode Island Department of HealthState of Rhode Island
Department of Health
Rhode Island Department of HealthState of Rhode Island
Department of Health
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.
It’s common to get sick from respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially in the fall and winter. Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. RHODE ISLAND RESPIRATORY VIRUS DATA
To protect yourself and others from respiratory virus illnesses:
Contact your pediatrician or healthcare professional if you believe your child needs medical care. They can offer advice on whether your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for COVID-19, RSV, or flu, and the best location (doctor's office, urgent care, emergency room) for care.
RIDOH will once again offer flu vaccinations through schools this year. Clinics for students in kindergarten through grade 12 will run from October through mid-December. Evening clinics are open to community members age 3 and older.
Make sure your child has gotten all immunizations required for school entry. Children need certain immunizations before starting pre-k, kindergarten, and grades 7, 8, 9, and 12. High school and middle school students can be immunized against many vaccine-preventable diseases through the state's Vaccinate Before You Graduate program.
Back-to-school season can be stressful for parents and students. Supportive mental health strategies can help families manage and cope with strong emotions. If you or your child is feeling stressed, sad, or worried during the transition back to school, learn more about local resources. More
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Schools should be safe and supportive environments. Rhode Island Statewide Bullying Policy prohibits bullying in schools and recommends ways to prevent it.
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.