“Remember: You’re not in this alone. There are resources available, like your child’s primary care doctor, to help answer questions and provide the resources you need.” 

Here are five ways to help ensure you send your kids back to school safely:

Schedule your child’s COVID-19 vaccination                                              

Being fully vaccinated is one of the best measures you can take to keep you and your family safe. If you haven’t received your COVID-19 vaccine yet, schedule yours today.                                                                    

Reinforce the everyday precautions.                     

You know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as what to do if you think your child might be sick. In addition, you've likely spent the entire summer reminding your kids about the everyday precautions they need to take to prevent getting sick.                                                          

But for all of your efforts, you've probably also caught your kids standing way too close to other people, leaving their masks in the car or at home, and forgetting to wash their hands after touching common surfaces.                                                               

As you prepare to send your kids back into the classroom, be sure to reinforce the everyday COVID-19 precautions they will need to keep in mind, as well as what makes these precautions so effective:

• Social distancing is still important, even if your child is vaccinated. The most likely way for COVID-19 to spread is from person to person — primarily between people who come into close contact with one another. And, while COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection from severe illness, no vaccine is 100% perfect at preventing infection. Also, keep in mind that an infected individual can be asymptomatic but still contagious.                                       
  
  

• Wearing a mask helps contain any potentially infectious respiratory droplets that may be released while breathing, talking or coughing — especially when social distancing is more challenging and even if the person doesn't yet know they're sick.    
  
  

• Washing your hands can help limit the risk of getting sick by touching a contaminated surface and then spreading the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth if you touch your face. Surface-to-person transmission isn't the primary way COVID-19 spreads, but — just as an infected person releases respiratory droplets that have the potential to infect people nearby — infectious respiratory droplets can also contaminate nearby surfaces.               
  
  

The Delta variant spreads much easier than the versions of the virus we've seen previously. Now is the time to recommit to these important safety practices.                                                        

Schools should be proactively reaching out to you about these safety measures, but make sure you have the following questions answered:

• Have teachers and staff been vaccinated?                                             
• What changes have been made to classrooms, hallways, cafeterias and buses to ensure social distancing?       
• Will hand-washing opportunities be frequent and hand sanitizer readily available?                                                 
• Have cleaning services been increased, and how often will high-touch surfaces be disinfected?             
• Are students and staff who feel sick required to stay at home?                       
• What is the plan if someone at the school tests positive for COVID-19?    
• What are you doing about sports and other activities?                                       
  
  

Listen to your child's concerns.                          

As a parent, you play an incredibly important role as not only a trusted source of information, but also as a confidante.      

It's important your child feels comfortable expressing any concerns or anxiety he or she may have about returning to school during the pandemic, so try to be as available and prepared as possible. 

Whether your child is concerned about having to wear a mask all day or what might happen if there's a confirmed case at school, make sure you're listening intently, empathizing often and helping your child cope with his or her feelings in a reassuring manner.                                                                 

Schedule an annual wellness exam.                 

A healthy immune system starts with a healthy kid, meaning checkups with your family doctor may be more important than ever right now.                                   

Safety measures in place to keep you and your child safe during your visit, including:

• Vaccinating our staff.                              
• Screening all patients when scheduling appointments and again upon arrival.                                               
• Practicing social distancing in waiting rooms and check-in lines.       
• Wearing masks and other personal protective equipment while providing care.                                                           
• Cleaning all exam rooms, bathrooms and waiting areas thoroughly throughout the day