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4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST AUgUST - BAck TO SchOOl | SATURdAY, JUlY 29, 2017 metro creative ServiceS School time requires having all of the necessary supplies, clothing and gear ready for the year. In addition, preparing for a new school year often involves providing updated physical health information to the school administration. The requirements for health screenings and reporting may vary between school districts. Some physical examinations need to be conducted annually, while others may only need updating at certain intervals, such as when kids transition from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school. Updated physical forms also may be required at the start of a sports season. Health screenings are intended to detect problems that may interfere with learning. Physical exams may indicate issues that can hamper progress or shed light on undiagnosed problems that may require further assessment and necessitate customized learning plans to help students succeed. Physical exams are also a way to ensure students' immunizations are up to date. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, physical exams typically are completed by students' primary care providers. Some school districts offer free or low-cost health assessments through school providers as well. Students who will be traveling for school may be required to meet the health requirements of their destination country. For example, medical students admitted to a Canadian university may be required to get a medical exam, according to the Government of Canada. Visiting the doctor, nurse practitioner or a school-provided medical professional may not make school-aged children too happy. To make the process go smoothly, consider these suggestions. Work with physicians who have access to electronic health records EHRs are secure technology that provides easy access to vaccination records, health history, appointment reminders, and even prescription information. Some providers even make it possible for patients to directly access their health information through a secure login, helping save time. Make appointments during school hours After-school appointments are peak times for pediatric offi ces and medical clinics. Sign students out of school early to visit the doctor for medical exams. The staff likely will be less harried, and you can spend more time asking questions and completing forms. Schools may not count the absence if a doctor's note is provided. Don't forget the forms Bring the right paperwork so that the staff can fi ll out what is necessary for the school, camp or sports league. Know your insurance guidelines Physical exams may be part of routine well visits. Insurance companies institute their own policies regarding how frequently physicals can be conducted (usually annually). Be sure to schedule the appointment accordingly. Physical examinations are on many parents' back-to-school to-do lists. Certain strategies can make physicals easier for adults and children alike. Student physical exam tips Treat kids to lunches that meet all needs metro creative ServiceS School lunch may seem like a relatively easy concept for parents to master. However, day in and day out, enterprising moms and dads grow anxious over what to put into kids' lunch boxes or bags. Parents have foods they want their kids to eat, and then there are foods their grade-schoolers will actually consider. Schools may also place limitations on what kids can bring to school due to allergies or school rules on sweets versus healthy foods. Then there's the packaging itself. Parents may weigh the benefi ts of everything from clever accessories to eco-friendly materials. Removing school lunch stress is easy. Once these steps are conquered, sending children off to school with acceptable meals becomes that much easier. Foods Keep a running list of must-have foods to stock the pantry. This will make it easier when it's time to go shopping. Picky eaters may return again and again to familiar comfort foods. As long as the child is getting enough vitamins and growing, there should be little issue in letting him and her eat the same foods day in and day out. Because parents cannot police what their children eat at school, it's better to devote time to introducing new foods during breakfast or dinner. Involve kids in some of the food decisions, especially since they are the ones eating the lunch at school. Certain foods may not keep well or become less appealing after sitting in backpacks until lunchtime. Respect kids' input and try to make some changes accordingly. Restrictions Researchers have estimated that food allergies affect one in every 13 children under the age of 18 in the United States alone. That equates to two in every classroom. The group Food Allergy Research & Education says eight foods account for the majority of all reactions: peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, eggs, wheat, fi sh and shellfi sh. Parents should be cognizant of common food allergies and be considerate of other kids in the classroom who may have allergies by limiting some of the most common allergy-associated foods in their children's lunches. Packaging The way foods are presented can improve the dining experience. Just ask professional chefs who go to great lengths on creative "plating" in restaurants. Children who are fussy about foods touching might enjoy one of the economical (and eco-friendly) designs of reusable bento boxes, which separate foods into different sections. They also help parents pack perfect portion sizes for healthier eating habits. Snack and food containers now come in colorful and clever designs that appeal to the toy-lover in most kids. Also, lunch gear manufacturers are thinking outside the sandwich to offer pouches and baggies that are leak-proof so that smoothies, soups and yogurts can be enjoyed during lunch, too. The school lunches parents enjoyed are being replaced with fresh ideas that accommodate todays' kids and schools. 4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST AUgUST - BAck TO SchOOl | SATURdAY, JUlY 29, 2017 4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST AUgUST - BAck TO SchOOl | SATURdAY, JUlY 29, 2017 The way foods are presented can improve the dining experience. Just ask professional chefs who go to great lengths on creative "plating" in restaurants. Children who are fussy about foods touching might enjoy one of the economical (and eco-friendly) designs of reusable bento boxes, which separate foods into different sections. They also help parents pack perfect portion sizes for healthier Snack and food containers now come in smoothies, soups and yogurts can be enjoyed 4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST AUgUST - BAck TO SchOOl | SATURdAY, JUlY 29, 2017 4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST AUgUST - BAck TO SchOOl | SATURdAY, JUlY 29, 2017