No one can say precisely what schools, public and private, will be like when they open for the fall semester.

For that matter, predicting when individual school systems will reopen remains a guessing game.

Right now, a lot is still up in the air. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine has mapped out some guidance for schools, but many decision remain.

But we do know some things will be the same as at the beginning of any new academic year. Among them are requirements for student health care.

Some school districts are attempting to remind parents of requirements for vaccinations and health care examinations. These rules can vary from state to state and even from school to school.

Virtually all schools require that children be up to date on certain vaccinations, such as those for measles.

Some require physical examinations conducted by health care professionals, especially for children planning to engage in extracurricular activities.

A few even mandate dental health checks.

As we have noted previously, this has not been an easy time to ensure that children can check all the health care boxes when they return to school.

Many health care providers were closed entirely for several weeks.

Some were not accepting people for so-called “elective” appointments.

Many opted to conduct most patient screenings via “telehealth” visits, keeping patients at home and away from crowded waiting areas. All of this was done in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

But while it may be a bit more challenging to accomplish this time around, this year it is more important than ever that your child be in compliance with school health care rules.

If you are uncertain what they are, contact your school district office.

Then make an appointment or two to ensure that when schools do reopen, your children will be ready.