Families in the Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay area can knock out school physicals, immunization checks, dental screenings and school supply pickups in a single Saturday morning before Miami-Dade County Public Schools opens the 2026-27 year on Thursday, Aug. 13, according to the district calendar.

Community Health of South Florida is hosting its Back to School Family Wellness Expo at the Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216th St., on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. School and sports physicals cost $25 each. Appointments are required; families must call 786-272-2100 to reserve a slot.

The expo falls 12 days before the first bell, giving parents time to file the paperwork schools need before a child can start class.

State Law Sets Immunization, Physical Requirements

Florida law — Section 1003.22 of the Florida Statutes — requires every child entering a public or private school to show proof of immunization on Form DH 680, signed by a licensed health care provider. Required vaccines for K-12 students include DTaP, polio, two doses of MMR, three doses of hepatitis B, Tdap and two doses of varicella. Seventh graders need an additional Tdap booster.

Physicals are required for kindergartners and students entering a Florida school for the first time. Student-athletes seeking sports physicals at the expo will pay the same $25 fee, but CHI notes a required EKG must be completed by a referred outside provider and is billed separately.

Screenings, Supplies and a Teddy Bear Checkup Round Out the Morning

The expo includes dental and health screenings at no additional charge, plus school supplies distributed while they last. Younger children can visit the Teddy Bear Hospital, where kids bring a stuffed animal or doll for "treatment" to help ease anxiety about doctor visits. Games, food and family activities round out the morning.

Sliding-Fee Scale Available for Uninsured Families

Doris Ison Health Center offers a sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients and can help families enroll in Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, Medicaid or Florida KidCare.

Missed Aug. 1? Discounted Physicals Run Through September

According to CHI's website, the $25 physical pricing is available from Wednesday, July 1 through Wednesday, Sept. 30 at any of its pediatric locations, including Doris Ison, South Miami Health Center, West Kendall Health Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center and Key Largo Health Center.

M-DCPS students return Thursday, Aug. 13. Families who need physicals or immunization paperwork completed should call 786-272-2100 to schedule.