What parents need to know about back-to-school exams - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports

What parents need to know about back-to-school exams

LOUISVILLE (WAVE) - Most parents know students who want to participate in school sports need to get a physical. But other exams are also important as kids head back to school.

According to Pediatrician Dr. Erica Labar, with UofL Pediatrics-Stonestreet, there are several different kinds of exams that will help health care professionals, schools and parents monitor the health of students.  Some are even required by school districts.

These exams are required for new and returning students:

• Physicals: Children must get physicals for kindergarten and sixth grade.
• Dental exams: Kentucky law requires proof of a dental screening no later than January of the first year a child is enrolled in public school.
• Eye exams: Kindergartners require an exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
• Sports physicals: Athletes are often required to receive comprehensive physical exams to ensure they are ready to participate in organized sports.
  • To print out the JCPS sports physical form, click here.
• Other: Your child's doctor may do other exams, based on the requirements of your child's school and the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"If your child is on medications that must be taken at school, parents must be sure to get the proper forms during your child's check up," says Dr. Labar.  To print out the JCPS medications form click here. 

Keeping up with vaccinations is important, too. 

JCPS students are required to have the following vaccinations:

• Hemophilia influenza type b conjugate (Hib) Required for preschoolers under 5.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Second dose for students and Preschool or Head Start children who have reached 4^th birthday.
• Hepatitis B Three doses required for:  Preschool, Head Start, Kindergarten through 6^th grade and students, birth date 10/1/92 or later.
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP, DTaP, Td, Tdap) Minimum: four doses with one dose on/after 4^th  birthday and at least six months between last two doses. For 6^th grade entry, age 11 or 12 years old, one dose of Tdap.
• Polio (OPV/IPV) Minimum: three doses, one dose on/after 4^th birthday, and at least four weeks apart, but preferably six months between last two doses.
• Chickenpox (Varicella) One dose, on/after age 12 months; second dose required for students and Preschool or Head Start children who have reached their 4^th  birthday unless physician confirms previous chickenpox.
• Pneumococcal (PCV) Vaccine Four doses, one on/after 12 months of age.
• Meningococcal (MCV) Vaccine One dose at 6^th grade entry, students 11 years of age.

For other JCPS health forms click here.

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