Preparing children for upcoming school year Published April 23, 2008 By 375th Medical Group SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 375th Medical Group's first School Physical Day is scheduled for June 30. Two additional mass school physical events are scheduled for later in the summer - one in August and one in September. Children enrolled to the primary care, flight medicine and pediatric clinics are eligible to participate. Children enrolled with the Family Medicine Clinic in Belleville obtain their physicals from Family Practice. This summer, the Family Medicine Clinic will be offering school physicals every Tuesday from 1 to 8 p.m. and will also have a mass school physical event Aug. 1. Families enrolled at the Family Practice Clinic in Belleville can call 256-7311 to arrange for a physical. Illinois law requires a school physical for children entering pre-school, kindergarten, fifth and ninth grades, as well as all children participating in scholastic sporting event. Additionally, Illinois requires school physicals for all new students. Active duty members sponsoring an incoming family can help by having them complete the Illinois school physical form at their current base before departing. Children not in the above categories do not need an annual school physical. Of note, Illinois is also requiring a dental evaluation for children entering kindergarten, second and sixth grades. Dental services are extremely limited at the 375th Medical Group and parents should select a local dentist for their pre-school evaluation. Forms for the dental visit are on the web link listed below. Sports physicals are not a covered benefit under TRICARE and parents are encouraged to participate in school-sponsored physical programs if they are offered. Sports physicals are done on the Physical Days, but some Fall sports may start before the August School Physical Day occurs. A parent or guardian must be present with the child during the physical. Additionally, parents can fill out the demographic information on the school physical or sports physical form before arriving at the clinic. Clinic staff will fill out the medical information on the form and the provider will sign the form after the examination. Illinois School physical forms and dental forms are available online at: http://www.ofallon90.net . Physical appointments can be booked online at https://www.tricareonline.com. Parents must register the child on the site, but can then access the appointments section and select a school physical appointment. Parents can also call 256-WELL (256-9355) to arrange an appointment for their children ages 4 to 18. The best time to call is late morning or afternoon when the regular appointment lines are less busy.