Schedule Your Child’s School Physical Now

Summer is here! But while the kids are soaking it up, now is the perfect time to check one important back-to-school task off your list: scheduling your child’s school physical. Appointments fill up fast, so booking early means less stress when August arrives.

More Than Checking a Box off Your To-Do List

A school physical is a comprehensive look at your child’s overall health and development.

“The school physical is an excellent opportunity to talk about developmental milestones and make sure the child is progressing normally,” said Kara Shafer, DO, a primary care and pediatrics physician with Memorial Care in Forsyth. “As children get older, we also discuss nutrition and exercise, screen for depression and cover topics that matter at each stage of their life.”

Also Required by Illinois Law

If your child is entering one of these grades this fall, a physical is required before Oct.15, not just recommended.

• Daycare / Preschool / Pre-K entry
• Kindergarten (also requires dental and eye exams)
• 6th grade
• 9th grade
• First-time entry into any Illinois school

What’s Included

• Height, weight and BMI
• Blood pressure and vital signs
• Vision and hearing screening
• Developmental and mental health screening
• Nutrition and physical activity counseling
• Immunization review and updates
• Sports physical clearance

Your provider will cover all of that and more. Mackenzie Heywood, MD, also a primary care and pediatrics physician with Memorial Care on Koke Mill in Springfield, says these visits are just as much about connection as clinical checks.

“One of the things I appreciate most about school physicals is the chance to sit down with a child and their family without a sick visit driving the conversation,” she said. “It gives us the opportunity to address concerns parents might not even realize they had – from sleep habits to social development to how a child is feeling about going back to school.”

Common Questions

• When should I schedule?
  June or July. Summer slots fill quickly. Booking now ensures you’re well ahead of the Oct. 15 deadline.
• Does my child need one every year?
  Illinois only requires physicals at state-mandated milestones, but annual well-child visits are strongly recommended by pediatricians.
• What should I bring?
  Your child’s immunization record, insurance card, any prior health forms and a list of questions for your provider.
• Can a sports physical replace a school physical?
  A school physical can fulfill the sports physical requirement, but a stand-alone sports physical cannot be submitted to meet the Illinois school requirement.

Book Your Child’s Physical Today

Don’t wait until August. Beat the back-to-school rush and schedule your child’s school physical online today at Memorial Care where you can find a doctor and even schedule an appointment – all online at https://memorial.health/medical-services/primary-care.