Getting Ready: Your August Action Plan
📋 SCHOOL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: WHAT'S ACTUALLY NEEDED
Maryland law requires certain health documentation before a child can attend school — but there's more flexibility than most families realize, and free help is available. Here's what matters:
- Exemptions come first. If a physician or nurse practitioner certifies a medical reason, or if immunization conflicts with your family's religious beliefs, your child can be exempted from some or all vaccine requirements. Ask your child's doctor or the local health department about the exemption process before assuming a requirement applies to you.
- You're not locked out on day one. If paperwork isn't complete by the first day, most Maryland schools temporarily admit students for 20 calendar days as long as you can show proof of an upcoming appointment. Talk to your school's health office — don't assume your child will be turned away.
- Who needs what: All students entering preschool through 12th grade need up-to-date immunization records. Students new to Maryland public schools, and those entering 7th and 9th grade specifically, must also submit a physical exam completed within nine months before or six months after starting. Children entering pre-K, kindergarten, or 1st grade for the first time also need a blood-lead test certificate.
- Free and low-cost help exists. Your pediatrician's office, a Baltimore City Health Department clinic, or a school-based health center can administer required vaccines and physicals, often at no cost with Medical Assistance or most insurance plans.
Questions about a specific requirement or exemption? Contact your child's school health office, the Baltimore City Health Department, or your CHA case manager — we can help you find an appointment.
STEP 1: Book School Health Appointments This Week
Pediatric offices and health department clinics fill up fast in the final weeks of August. Call now to schedule any needed immunizations, physicals, or lead screenings rather than waiting until move-in week. Bring your child's existing immunization record if you have one — it speeds up the visit considerably.
STEP 2: Take Advantage of Tax-Free Week and Local Giveaways
Combine Maryland's Aug. 9–15 tax-free week with a free backpack or supply giveaway to stretch your back-to-school budget further. Check page 3 for specific dates, times, and locations, and check secondhand stores for gently used uniforms, coats, and backpacks — a great way to save even more.
STEP 3: Circle Back on Benefits You Checked Mid-Year
Last month's newsletter covered new SNAP work-requirement rules and exemptions. If you haven't yet confirmed your recertification date or discussed a possible exemption with your case manager, this is a good moment before the school-year routine takes over. A new school year can also mean new child care costs or a changed work schedule — both are worth reporting if your household situation has shifted.
HURRICANE SEASON: WE'RE ENTERING THE PEAK MONTHS
🌀 August Through October Is Historically the Busiest Stretch
Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, and activity typically climbs through August, September, and October. If you built a storm kit earlier this summer, take ten minutes this week to check it: replace any expired food or medication, and confirm your flashlight batteries still work. If you haven't built one yet, the basics are simple — water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a week's supply of medications, and copies of important documents in a waterproof bag. Sign up for city alerts at emergency.baltimorecity.gov/bmore-alert (BMORE Alert) and statewide alerts at mema.maryland.gov.
🌡️ Heat Is Still a Real Risk in August
Baltimore's hottest stretches this year have run from late June through mid-July, but dangerous heat index days remain common through August. Heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, weakness, headache, nausea — calls for a cool place, slow sips of water, and cool wet cloths. Heat stroke is a 911 emergency: confusion, hot/dry or damp skin, and a rapid pulse mean you should call for help immediately and move the person to a cool place while you wait. Call or text 211 for current cooling center locations if a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert is declared.
Back-to-School Events & August Community Resources
🎒 Free Backpack & Supply Giveaways
Mark These Dates
- August 8, 11 AM–2 PM: Annual Backpack & School Supply Giveaway, Church of Christ in Sandtown, 801 N. Mount St. Free backpacks, notebooks, pens, and more.
- August 22, 12–5 PM: Back-to-School Cookout & Backpack Giveaway, hosted by the Hit Me With Music Foundation. Backpacks, school supplies, food, music, and community resource vendors.
- August 29, 2–4 PM: Free Backpack Giveaway at Boost Mobile locations across Baltimore. One free backpack per student while supplies last; a parent or guardian must accompany the student.
Additional community and church-hosted giveaways happen throughout the month — ask your case manager or check local community bulletin boards for events near you.
🚔 National Night Out — August 4
Connect With Your Neighbors and Local Police
Communities across Baltimore host block parties, cookouts, and family activities with police and city agencies every year on the first Tuesday of August. It's a good chance to meet neighbors, learn about neighborhood safety resources, and pick up back-to-school giveaways at some locations. Call 311 or check with your community association for an event near you.
🛍️ Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week
August 9–15: What Qualifies
Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item are exempt from the state's 6% sales tax for the full week — no limit on the number of items. The first $40 of a backpack's price is also tax-free (any amount above $40 is taxed as usual). The exemption applies automatically at checkout at participating Maryland retailers, both in-store and online; no coupon or paperwork is required.
📋 School Health Paperwork
What to Bring to the Appointment
- Your child's existing immunization record, if you have one
- Insurance or Medical Assistance card
- Any prior physical exam paperwork from the last school year
- A list of questions about exemptions, if applicable
Baltimore City Health Department clinics and school-based health centers can help at low or no cost — ask your case manager for the nearest location.
August Community Resources and Services
| Organization |
Service |
Phone |
Details |
| Baltimore City Public Schools |
Enrollment / Health Office |
(410) 396-8637
baltimorecityschools.org |
Enrollment help, immunization records, physical exam forms. First day of school: August 24 |
| Baltimore City Health Dept. |
Immunization Clinics |
(410) 396-4436
health.baltimorecity.gov |
Low- or no-cost school immunizations and physical exam referrals |
| Comptroller of Maryland |
Tax-Free Week Info |
(800) 638-2937
marylandtaxes.gov |
Full list of qualifying items for Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, Aug. 9–15 |
| Church of Christ in Sandtown |
Backpack Giveaway |
801 N Mount St, Baltimore |
Aug. 8, 11 AM–2 PM. Free backpacks, notebooks, pens, and more |
| Hit Me With Music Foundation |
Back-to-School Cookout |
baltimore.org |
Aug. 22, 12–5 PM. Backpacks, school supplies, food, music, community vendors |
| OHEP / Maryland Energy Assistance |
Utility Help |
(800) 332-6347
MarylandBenefits.gov |
Continued summer electric bill assistance. Income-qualified |
| BGE Customer Assistance |
Utility Payment Plans |
(800) 685-0123
bge.com |
Payment plans, Budget Billing. Call BEFORE missing a payment |
| Maryland CASH Campaign |
Financial Coaching |
(410) 234-8008 |
Free one-on-one budgeting help ahead of back-to-school costs |
| Maryland Legal Aid |
Free Legal Help |
(410) 539-5340
mdlab.org |
Help with benefit denials, exemption documentation, housing issues |
| Maryland Food Bank |
Food Assistance |
(410) 737-8282
mdfoodbank.org |
Mobile pantries and family food boxes at Baltimore sites citywide |
| Summer Food Service Program |
Free Kids' Meals |
(410) 396-0773
mars.msde.maryland.gov |
Free breakfast & lunch for anyone 18 and under. Baltimore City sites run through August 21 |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline |
24/7 Crisis Support |
Call or text 988
988lifeline.org |
Free, confidential. Back-to-school transitions can be stressful for parents and kids alike |
| Baltimore Crisis Response |
Mental Health |
(410) 433-5175 |
24/7 crisis support for Baltimore City residents |
| Chase Brexton Health |
Primary / Mental Health |
(410) 837-2050
chasebrexton.org |
Medical, dental, mental health, and school physicals. Sliding scale, Medicaid accepted |
| Baltimore City 311 |
Non-Emergency City Services |
Call or text 311
balt311.baltimorecity.gov |
National Night Out event info, cooling centers, non-emergency city services |
| 211 Maryland |
Resource Navigation |
Call or text 211
211md.org |
Free 24/7 help finding food, cooling centers, utility help, and more statewide |
IMPORTANT: Report Any Changes to CHA Within 10 Days
What to report: New jobs or changes in hours/wages, unemployment benefits, SSI/SSDI changes, child support, settlement payments, tax refunds over $2,000, household composition changes (adding or removing a family member), new child care costs tied to the school year starting, or any other new income source.
Why it matters: Timely reporting keeps your housing benefits accurate and protects you from back-charges or loss of assistance.
How to report: Contact your CHA case manager immediately when any income or household change occurs. Don't wait until your next scheduled meeting.
AUGUST CRITICAL REMINDERS
First Day of School: Monday, August 24 — Baltimore City Public Schools.
Tax-Free Week: August 9–15. Clothing/shoes under $100, first $40 of a backpack, tax-free.
School Health Paperwork: Book immunization and physical appointments now — don't wait until move-in week.
National Night Out: Tuesday, August 4. Check with your community association or call 311.
Heat Safety: Confusion + hot dry skin = call 911 immediately. Check on elderly neighbors.
Hurricane Season: August–October is peak season. Check or build your storm kit this week.
Your Case Manager: We are here every step of the way. Reach out — that's what we're for.
