It’s almost mid-August, and you know what that means. The return to school (scheduled for Sept. 2 for Seattle Public Schools grades 1 to 12 and Sept. 8 for preschoolers and kindergartners) is just a few weeks away. Time to get things ready, collect needed materials for student backpacks, and get any medical exams needed for school sports or needed vaccines.
Get ‘em ready for the team
“Getting a sports physical sets kids up for healthy play, ensuring a child is healthy and physically ready to participate in sports safely,” according to Seattle pediatrician Dr. Susanna Block. “The clinician — often your regular clinician or pediatrician — will do a physical exam to check vital signs like blood pressure and identify any medical or musculoskeletal issues that could pose a risk during activity. They will also look at your child’s medical history, including past injuries, and talk about any new symptoms or concerns. Your child may be cleared to play, cleared with limitations, or referred for further evaluation. That might include physical therapy.” Sports physicals are recommended six weeks before your sports season starts, so now’s definitely the time to make an appointment for your cold if you haven’t already.
Do a vaccination check
It’s also time to check that your child’s immunizations are up to date. If your child attends a Seattle Public School, immunization requirements are listed on the district’s website. This is a good time to make sure your children are up to date on all their vaccinations. Otherwise, go to the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction website for immunization or waiver information
Block stresses, “Immunizations against measles, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and other diseases help keep your child healthy and in school. Those diseases also pose a serious health threat, and outbreaks can be prevented by keeping vaccinations up to date.”
Volunteer: Help Seattle schools in need prepare
Three SPS schools need extra hands to spruce up their campuses, and the Alliance for Education is lining up volunteers to help. The nonprofit will send volunteers to each campus for half-day shifts, aiming to have classrooms and campuses ready by the start of school in September.
On Friday, Aug. 21, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., volunteers will be at Lowell Elementary on Capitol Hill, where they will prep classrooms and bulletin boards, straighten up classroom spaces, clean up landscaping, haul furniture and supplies into place, and reset shared spaces. The prep crews move to Nathan Hale High School on Aug. 29 from 8-11 a.m. and then to Dearborn Park International Elementary on Beacon Hill the same day from 1 to 4 p.m. Register to volunteer at “Ready, Set, School.”
Upcoming Back-to-School events
School districts and other organizations throughout Seattle and the greater Puget Sound area are already preparing for kids to return to classrooms and planning events to help kids and families get ready too. Here’s a list of events:
Seattle events
SeaTac Back-to-School Resource Fair at Valley Ridge Community Center
August 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac. Get ready for the new school year with free backpacks, school supplies, food, music, giveaways and community resources.
Backpacks for Kids: Summer Bash at South Park Community Center
August 14, 3–6 p.m., at 8319 8th Ave. S., Seattle. A free community celebration for Seattle-area children and families featuring a BBQ, games, activities and backpacks filled with school supplies. Organizers expect to serve more than 500 children and families.
Back-to-School Family Resource Fair at Wellspring Family Services
August 15, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. at 1900 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle. Family resource fair offering school supplies, essential resources, children’s activities, food and community services.
FamilyWorks Back-to-School Bash at FamilyWorks Family Resource Center
August 22, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at 1005 NE 67th St., Seattle. Free backpacks filled with school supplies, a community resource fair, giveaways, raffles, crafts and snacks help families get ready for the new school year.
Rainier Beach Back2School Bash at Rainier Beach Community Center
August 22, 12–4 p.m. at 8825 Rainier Ave S, Seattle A free community back-to-school celebration with school supplies, backpacks, and family/community resources.
Healthy Families and Back to School Fair at High Point Commons Park
August 12, 5–7 p.m. at 3201 SW Graham St., Seattle. A free family fair offering health checkups, school supplies, and helpful resources for kids and families.
YesFest – Health and Back to School Fair at Yesler Community Center
August 14, 4:30–6 p.m., 917 E. Yesler Way, Seattle. A free community back-to-school fair with health checkups, school supplies and helpful resources for families.
Further afield
August 13, 3–6 p.m., at 2550 S. Main St., Auburn. Free family event with food, entertainment, activities, backpacks, socks, health screenings and community resources. Open to Auburn School District families.
Back to School Fair at Our Savior Lutheran Church Tacoma Campus
August 15, 10 a.m. at 4519 112th St E, Tacoma. Free community back-to-school fair distributing more than 400 winter coats and backpacks filled with basic school supplies. Children must be present to receive a backpack and coat; registration is not required.
Back to School Fair at Our Savior Lutheran Church Puyallup Campus
August 15, 10 a.m. at 720 W Main, Puyallup. Free community back-to-school fair distributing more than 400 winter coats and backpacks filled with basic school supplies. Children must be present to receive a backpack and coat; registration is not required.
Back-to-School Beauty Event at Evergreen Beauty College
August 19, 1–5 p.m. at 802 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett. K–12 students can receive free haircuts, mini facials, and mini manicures. Walk-ins are welcome, and services are first come, first served.
Back-to-School Resource & Wellness Fair at LINC Northwest
August 20, 4–7 p.m. at 1424 172nd St. NE, Marysville. A free family event featuring food, games, school-supply giveaways, backpacks, free haircuts and community resources. Open to Lakewood School District families.
Back to School Bash – Central Campus at Life Center Central Campus
August 15, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., at 1717 S. Union Ave., Tacoma. Free community back-to-school celebration where backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to local students.
Back to School Bash – Rainier Campus at Life Center Rainier Campus
August 15, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., at 17708 28th Ave. E., Tacoma. Free community back-to-school celebration where backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to local students.
2026 Everett Block Party and Backpack Giveaway at Bible Way COGIC
August 22, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at 2228 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Free community block party featuring free backpacks filled with school supplies, refreshments, entertainment, and activities for families.
Kids Health and Safety Fair at Tacoma Dome
August 29, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at 2727 E. D St., Tacoma. Free family health and safety fair featuring dental cleanings, vision and hearing screenings, backpacks filled with school supplies, and other resources.
