Staying Healthy for a Strong Start to the School Year
August 29, 2025 – August is National Immunization Month, which makes it a great time to highlight the many ways schools support student health. As the year begins, students are filling classrooms, sports teams are practicing hard, and new routines are settling into place. With all the excitement, it is also a time when staying healthy becomes especially important.
For athletes, this often means making sure they have their physicals completed before hitting the field or court. These checkups are a way to confirm that students are ready for the demands of practices and games. For others, it might mean scheduling visits to the dentist or chiropractor to make sure small issues don’t turn into bigger distractions during the year. Along with these appointments, simple steps like washing hands often, getting plenty of rest, and eating balanced meals go a long way in avoiding the common colds and stomach bugs that seem to spread quickly once everyone is back together.
One of the most important things our students can do to stay healthy during the school year is to make sure that they are getting enough sleep, along with healthy foods and good hand hygiene. Simple things for us to remember, but it truly can make a difference in staying healthy,” said Marisa Moyers, Manager of School Health Programs.
Some students even take part in unique health screenings tied to their classes. This year, 34 of our health science students at Hixson High School received tuberculosis (TB) tests. The Tennessee Department of Education requires students who are preparing for clinical internships to have this screening. Because they will be working in health care facilities, it is important to make sure they are clear of any possible TB exposure before working with patients. Offering the screening right at school removes a barrier for students and makes it easier for them to take the next step in their education. It also helps them gain real-world experience in health care facilities, giving them the skills and confidence they will carry into their future careers.
These types of opportunities reflect our commitment to keeping schools both safe and equipped. Health screenings, physicals, and access to school-based care may seem like small steps, but they make a big difference. When students have what they need right on campus, they can stay focused on learning instead of worrying about how to get the care required to participate in classes, sports, or internships.
At the heart of our Every School Equipped initiative is the belief that every student deserves the tools and resources to succeed. Sometimes those tools are books and technology, and other times they are health services that keep students strong enough to take advantage of those learning opportunities. By investing in both academics and student well-being, we are building schools that not only prepare students for today but also set them up for a healthier and brighter future.
