Hailey Heseltine
ECB Publishing, Inc.
It's time to make sure your loved ones are in tip-top shape for a healthy year of activity ahead. At the Florida Department of Health-Jefferson (DOH-Jefferson), your child can receive a free school physical on Thursday, June 4, or Friday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What are school physicals? These are comprehensive health visits that evaluate your child's overall health, development progress and readiness for the academic year ahead. DOH-Jefferson will be offering specifically sports physicals, EKGs and school entry physicals.
This event is particularly important for young athletes. Children who plan to participate in athletic activities must complete an annual Pre-participation Physical Evaluation (PPE), also known as a sports physical. These are examinations that evaluate your child's wellness and verify that they are healthy enough to play their sport during the exciting school year ahead. It also provides you with the opportunity to discuss medical history and any possible concerns. The healthcare provider will screen the child for undetected conditions, illnesses, injuries or other issues that could interfere with their ability to safely play. They will also evaluate their overall fitness and development progress, vision and hearing and vital signs. The healthcare provider will then either clear your child to play without restrictions, with restrictions, temporarily withhold clearance or disqualify them based on their important health needs.
An electrocardiogram, more commonly known as an EKG, is a short test that records electrical signals in the heart. Such records provide useful information on the heart's rate, rhythm, oxygen and blood supply, structure changes and heart attacks. EKGs help diagnose causes of chest pain, irregular heartbeat patterns known as arrhythmias and overall detect potential cardiac risks. Since some types of cardiac conditions show no noticeable symptoms, an EKG can be a valuable tool in detecting such conditions before they present themselves. Florida's Second Chance Act, which takes effect on July 1, 2026, requires students to receive an EKG before participating in school athletic programs.
Children in grades pre-kindergarten to 12th must take a school entry health examination within one year before their initial enrollment in a Florida school. Though it varies, some schools may require updated physicals at certain milestones. These exams, which must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare provider, confirm that your child is in good health and ready to learn alongside their peers. Healthcare providers often review medical history, measure growth and development, evaluate immunization status and screen them for deficiencies in vision and hearing.
These services will all be available for free at DOH-Jefferson on a first-come, first-served basis June 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Note that children under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present with them. DOH-Jefferson is located at 1255 W. Washington St. Its regular hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 850-342-0170.