It’s not too early to get a jump on helping your kids prepare for the next school year, especially if you can avoid the cost of required school or sports physicals with some early planning.

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) is again offering its annual Back to School Clinics from June 28 to Aug. 10 at four of its clinics in area high schools. Students in grades kindergarten to 12 can get physicals, basic dental services, vision/hearing screenings and any needed immunizations—including COVID-19 shots—during the same visit. Services are not provided to students entering pre-kindergarten.

Basic dental services such as sealants, fluoride and assessments will be offered only during July 19-Aug. 10. As part of the vision screenings, students who qualify can receive exams and glasses courtesy of Preserve Vision Florida.

Screenings are provided by appointment only and the student must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please bring immunization and health records so that staff can update them.

To make an appointment, call 727-824-6900 menu option #4. The forms for services can be pre-filled and are found at the DOH-Pinellas website here: https://pinellas.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/school-clinics/index.html.

These are the Back to School Clinics offering services this summer:

• Boca Ciega High School, 924 58th Ave. S., Gulfport
• Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S., St. Petersburg
• Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave., Largo
• Pinellas Park High School, 6305 118th Ave. N., Largo

The DOH-Pinellas school-based clinics are funded by the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas.

For information about DOH-Pinellas, go to www.PinellasHealth.com or follow us on Twitter @HealthyPinellas.