By Dr. Manny Alvarez

Labor Day weekend is synonymous with the end of summer, and in turn, the start of a new school year.

Are your kids ready to go back to school? I'm not talking about school supplies or whether or not they've finished their summer reading. While these things are important, I think it's equally important to consider health guidelines to follow during the upcoming school year.

Related: Making the Grade: Raising a Successful Student

Here are some of the back-to-school concerns I think are the most important to address to ensure your children have a happy, healthy year:

Vaccinations

Making sure your child is up-to-date on all his or her vaccinations is essential for back-to-school health. In order to even enter kindergarten, there are a number of required vaccinations children must receive, though they vary from state to state. Check with your school system for specific requirements. Additionally, in New York, children must receive the booster for whooping cough in

By Kristen Barricella from Cookie Cutter Lunch

Your kids will adore these cute, creative lunches.

For over 40 more tips on packing school lunch, visit Babble.

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Stay connected. Follow Babble on Facebook and Twitter.

You've been reading this blog and waiting for the dirt, right? (And not just on me and my lackluster crafting abilities.) You want the dish about "He Made, She Made" hosts Jonathan Fong and Courtney Watkins going head to head on the set. You want to hear the story of how Fong held Watkins at glue gun-point.

Well, that's so not gonna happen. Here's a refreshing take on the usual Hollywood tale: "He Made, She Made" hosts Jonathan Fong and Courtney Watkins totally get along.

Even though they'd never met, the twosome had a fabulous time engaging in "handmade-to-handmade combat." To get to know each other before their first shoot, they had a sleepover. Truly. And, how brilliant is that? If you even really want to form a bond with someone, see what kind of weird snacks they're willing to eat at 3:47 a.m.

The two ended up becoming so close that this week's episode, in which each host takes a crack at making a best friend gift, is totally genuine. With kids headed back to

Photo: ThinkstockCreate Your Own Supply Closet
Late August and early September are the best times to find bargains on school supplies, like name-brand marker sets for a dollar and boxes of crayons for 25 cents. Gabrielle Blair, a designer and mother of six whose blog, Design Mom, has chronicled her family's moves from New York to Colorado to France, knows how crucial it is to have a well-stocked art bin no matter where she is.

RELATED: Sign Up for Oprah's Lifeclass!

Blair likes to buy a year's supply of colored pencils and glue at the very end of summer. "You'll be so glad to pull out a fresh set of markers when February rolls around and you're making Valentines," she says. Art supplies make handy last-minute stocking stuffers and birthday gifts, too. Pick out something new for yourself while you're at it, like a fresh notebook or pen. Blair loves Michael Roger Decomposition Books, an updated-and 100% recycled-take on the classic black and white marbled composition notebooks.

RELATED: Your Complete

By outfitting your kid's study station with the coolest new essentials and gadgets, your little learners just might find themselves enjoying homework time. Here are a few kid-approved picks for smart students everywhere.-TABITHA SUKHAI & KAREN ZIGA, This Old House online


See all our back-to-school shopping essentials at thisoldhouse.com!


1. Posture In Style Ergonomic Chair and Desk
If you're investing in new furniture for your study station, this is as good as it gets. Posture in Style's ergonomically designed desks and chairs promote proper posture to prevent back-pain and fatigue, all while encouraging good penmanship. All of their pieces are adjustable, so they'll grow as your child does. You can create a truly custom space with changeable seat covers and desk system additions. Pricing and how to buy


MORE: How to Outfit Your Home to Help Your Kids' Study Habits


2. Under-the-Bed Storage Organizer
Stash all those extra supplies you scored at back-to-school sales under the bed.

Middle school can be hard for some people, but not for me. You see,this is my first year in middle school,and its working out just fine for me. What i do is to survive middle school is simple,and just might be a way for u to survive it too!!

First things first, REMEMBER YOUR CLASSES!!!!!!! If you get lost ask a teacher and they'll guide you. Dont be afraid to ask questions,if you don't understand something, people can help u.

Second thing is, DON'T FORGET YOUR LOCKER COMBINATION!! A lot of kids forget thier locker combination,but its ok! It might be a big issue but if you write it down somewhere it wont be hard to forget. Practice your lock combination in between classes.

Third thing, DON'T SHARE YOUR LOCKER WITH OTHER KIDS, LIKE YOUR FRIENDS. If you do, well, there will be consequences to that.

Fourth thing is, DON'T FOR ANY REASON HAVE AN EXCUSE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR BOOKS FOR CLASS. You should remember to bring them to class,once you learn it will become a habit.

Fifth thing

By Amanda Greene 10 Tips from College Admissions Officers

Between studying for the SATs, crafting the perfect application essay and, of course, figuring out how to pay for tuition, college prep can be tough on both teens and their families. That's why we spoke to admissions officers across the country to get the inside scoop on ways students can improve their odds during the application process. From scheduling interviews to applying early action, read on for 10 tips from the people who decide who's in-and who's not.

1. Don't limit your school options.
While it's exciting to have a top school in mind, if your child only wants to apply to one institution, encourage her to broaden her perspective. "Ultimately, students are going to be successful at a number of different types of colleges," says Jay Murray, director of Admissions at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut. "Plenty of schools will offer the kind of academic opportunities that each student is looking for, as well as give her the chance to grow