Dr. Medina’s 101 for the Back to school in Palm Beach!
August 3, 2016Sales tax-free days, changes in school start times, school requirements, Tips, and much more… Here are some great facts that will help us, parents in Palm Beach, get ready for the 2016-17 Back to School. Hope it helps! Don’t forget to share to help friends and families!
2016-17 School Calendar
- Want to know when Winter Break is? What about Spring Break? Click here
Changes in School Start Times
This year 17 elementary schools have school day extended by 30 minutes and middle schools start times where modified for the season. Click here for the complete schools list and look for your child’s school.
Tips – Some good ideas to encourage the Back to School success!
- CELEBRATE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Small details like making their favorite breakfast, taking a photo to commemorate the occasion, slipping an encouraging note into your child’s backpack along with his favorite candy bar (yes, they deserve a candy pass), and going out for ice cream after school, will make the first day of school seem like something to celebrate rather than something to dread. Keep it up as a tradition for every good grade or school activity.
- School supply lists are individualized to each school and grade. Check your child’s school’s website. ShopSavvy is one application that parents keep mentioning to me and I’ll be trying soon. It, “supposedly”, allows you to scan bar-codes and compare prices among different stores. Other good read is the Back-To-School Cheat Sheet, that compares prices for where to get the best deals on school supplies.
- Plan ahead for lunch. It is easier to insert money to the meal program and have them eat whatever the school provides but, easiest isn’t always the healthiest. You can track down the school menu ahead and decide which days you should pack your child’s lunch. For a pick at your child’s school food menus click here School Food Services. Also, always look at your child’s Meal Account lunch history. I remember how shocked I was when I found out my daughter was eating ice-cream and pizza 2-3 times per week. http://palmbeachschools.nutrislice.com/.
- For walkers and riders: Make sure you practice with your child the route before school starts. Remember, all riders must wear a helmet at all times!!! Make sure your child’s walk to school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
- Discuss the bullying and cyber bullying scenario with your child. Check the “Bullying: It’s Not OK” from the AAP. Discuss other safety Rules for Before and After School.
- Back-to-school, especially for little kids, means receiving piles of artwork during the season. Prepare yourself to celebrate each one! Create a designated home gallery for displaying the favorite ones if not all of them. Include all of your child’s accomplishments.
- Here are other safety tips from the AAP – click here
Bus Stop Locator
- Routes for the 2016-2017 School Year will be posted on August 10.
School Requirements for Physicals & Immunizations
Students entering kindergarten and seventh grade, and new students to Palm Beach County are required, by the school district, to provide proof of immunization and a physical exam. In addition, children entering or attending licensed facilities for child care and child care homes should have received the greatest number of appropriate immunizations as medically indicated in accordance with the recommended immunization schedule for children. For more information click here. To schedule an appointment with us click here!
Sales Tax Holiday was Aug. 5-7…
Schools in Palm Beach County start on August 15, 2016 and, as expected, this means that parents are preparing for back to school shopping. Legislation was passed that created a 3-day sales tax holiday that will begin at 12:01 a.m., Friday, August 5, 2016 and end at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, August 7 2016. During this period, back-to-school listed items will be tax free (Florida Sales Tax or local option tax).
Generally, clothing that is $60 or less is tax-exempt, and school supplies that cost less than $15 are exempt.
- Clothing and accessory items and their taxable status
- School supplies and their taxable status
- Other accessory items and their taxable status
- Facts and Frequently Asked Questions for Taxpayers
Lizaida Medina Candelaria, MD FAAP
SuperKids Pediatrics is a high-quality, convenient and patient oriented pediatric healthcare office where Board Certified Pediatrician, Dr. Medina, will help you make sure your child is completely ready for this new school year. We will honor your appointment with limited waiting time! Give us a call at 561-619-2460, or visit us at www.skpediatrics.com for more details.
