Luminis Health Offers Back-to-School Health Tips for Families as Students Return to Class

 As students prepare to return to classrooms for a new school year, Luminis Health is encouraging families to focus on nutrition, healthy screen-time habits and injury prevention while highlighting programs aimed at supporting students across Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties.

In back-to-school guidance released by the health system, Luminis Health said relatively small changes at home can help children feel their best and remain focused throughout the school year.

Luminis Health recommends that parents and guardians make sure children begin the day with a nutritious breakfast that includes protein.

“Breakfast should always include a protein,” said Colleen Kiley, Luminis Health’s lead diabetes educator. “While eggs are an obvious choice, a good source of protein is also Greek yogurt, a protein shake, protein waffles or pancakes with peanut butter, or cheese.”

Families are also encouraged to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into meals. For packed lunches, Luminis Health recommends options including carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and celery.

Healthy after-school snack suggestions include an apple with peanut butter, a yogurt bowl with fruit, chia seeds and protein granola, or a high-fiber, high-protein muffin.

Luminis Health also recommends avoiding sugary drinks before, during and after school. Water is identified as the preferred option, although families may also consider zero-sugar drink mixes or zero-sugar sports drinks.

Screen time is another area Luminis Health is asking families to consider as students return to school.

The health system’s guidance comes as Maryland moves toward implementation of a new law requiring public schools to prohibit student use of personal electronic devices and certain social media during the school day by the 2027-2028 school year.

“One of the best ways to limit screen time is to delay giving young children their own personal device for as long as possible,” said Dr. Jesselina Curry, a Luminis Health child and adolescent psychiatrist. “Early exposure to screen time has been linked to developmental and cognitive concerns, including delays in language development. When you introduce screen time in your home, it should be in an open area and not behind closed doors.”

Luminis Health recommends that families establish clear expectations for acceptable screen use and consistent weekly limits. For children already spending several hours each day on devices, the health system suggests gradually reducing screen time rather than making an abrupt change.

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to model the habits they expect from their children by limiting their own recreational screen use.

Other recommendations include using built-in phone settings to establish social media boundaries, creating device-free family time during meals and other activities, making screen time a reward, choosing age-appropriate games that do not require internet access for younger children, and requiring older children to obtain approval before making purchases or downloading new applications.

In Prince George’s County, the health system provides behavioral health education and support services in six schools. Developed in partnership with educators, the program has served more than 1,200 students during the past two years, according to Luminis Health.

In Anne Arundel County, Luminis Health orthopedic and primary care teams provided free sports physicals this summer to 240 Anne Arundel County Public Schools student-athletes.

Dr. Mark Denzine, a Luminis Health orthopedic surgeon, emphasized the importance of strength training and injury prevention as student-athletes return to practices and competition.

“Throwing injuries are the most common, particularly in younger athletes when their growth plates are still active,” Dr. Denzine said.

Dr. Denzine advised coaches to monitor pitch counts, teach proper throwing mechanics and ensure young athletes follow a healthy progression with long-toss training.

Luminis Health team members also collect backpacks and school supplies each year for children and teenagers at the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County and Lamont Elementary School in Prince George’s County.

The health system said the initiatives are part of its broader commitment to supporting the physical and behavioral health of children and the communities it serves.