• Keeping your hands clean is one way to stay healthy when going back to school.

LANSING - It’s time to dust off those backpacks and set your alarm clocks because going back-to-school is just around the corner.

One local school district is getting a bit more personal this year.

“We are going to have personal learning devices across our district K-12. So our students will all have a personal learning device. We are starting that rollout process at our high school,” said Catherine Ash, Superintendent at Okemos Public Schools.

The high school will also be getting a new track and the middle school will welcome a new principal. Each school in the district will be holding an open house for the families.

“Our staff will be there and it gives parents a chance to get reacquainted with staff,” said Ash.

A new school year is often exciting but it can be a financial strain to some. Haven house in East Lansing helps families that are still struggling to make ends meet.

“Adopt a child program is geared to any of the children who have stayed in our shelter for the last year, and their family’s moved into housing,” said Angie Mayeaux, Executive Director at Haven House.

With the help of donors, Adopt-a-Child program provides new clothes, backpacks, and school supplies to students in kindergarten to 12th grade.

“The kids are very appreciative and so excited to be able to start school like all of the other kids. They’re going to have their new outfit that they get to put on, and their new backpack and all of the items that the school requested that you bring that you’re the same as everybody else and you brought them,” said Mayeaux.

The program’s goal is to make sure that no one feels different on his or her first day.

“I think that is the most telling this is to have a kid say that’s the first brand new thing I got. That’s amazing, and you don’t realize that kids don’t have that,” said Mayeaux.

New schools supplies aren't the only things students should get for school.

“We want to get kids vaccinated. Right now is the perfect time to be making those appointments,” said Terri Adams, Section Manager Division of Immunizations at the Michigan Department of Community Health. “Be sure to include all vaccines that kids are eligible for not just what they have to have to get into school.”

The flu is the most common illness in schools, but there are things you can do to prevent yourself from getting it.

“Coughing into your sleeve, washing your hands frequently, getting a routine medical exam every year is a good way to keep up-to-date. The best things that we can do in the fall though, when it’s back-to-school time, is to get our flu shot,” said Adams.

Washing your hands, eating healthy and getting a good night’s rest are other ways to stay healthy when going back-to-school.

And although there are still a few more weeks left of summer, now is the time to start school supply shopping and making sure students are up-to-date with their immunizations.