State Mandated Health Screenings
Vision Screenings will be implemented in grades pre-k, 1-5, 7, & 10. Hearing Screenings in grades K-2, 3, 7, & 10. Heights and weights are measured in grades 1, 4, 7, & 10. Postural Screening in grades 5 - 9. SBIRT Screening in 7 & 10.
Schools are required by Massachusetts General Law to provide vision, hearing, body mass index (BMI), postural, and Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) health screenings to all students. Parents/guardians will be notified if a referral is necessary.
Guidelines may be found at the following website
Vision: | Students entering Kindergarten are required by Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 71 and Section 57, to have had a vision screening by a physician. Annually in grades pre-k, 1 through 5, once in grades 6 through 8, and once in grades 9 through 12 |
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Hearing: | Kindergarten through grade 3 and once in grades 6 through 8 and once in grades 9 through 12 |
Heights and Weights: | Heights and weights are measured and body mass index (BMI) is calculated on children in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. The purpose of BMI screening in all schools is to gather valuable data that can help MDPH monitor trends in childhood obesity and identify possible systems-wide solutions. BMI results are submitted to MDH only. |
Postural Screening: | The state of Massachusetts mandates that all students in grades 5 through 9 be screened for scoliosis. Notification of screenings for fifth grade students will be completed by mail and by newsletters/website in the following grades. |
SBIRT: | Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment is done once in grades 6 through 8 and once in grades 9 through 12. The screening uses the CRAFFT tool as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Substance Abuse. Student screening sessions will be brief and conducted confidentially in a private, one-on-one session. |
We recognize that some parent(s)/guardian(s) may prefer to have the screening performed by a physician. For your child to be exempt from screening in school, please provide the following documentation to your school nurse:
Hearing & Vision: | Copy of the screening results from the physician for the current school year. |
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Postural: | Copy of the screening results from the physician for the current school year or documentation that the student is under care for scoliosis for the current school year. |
Height/Weight/BMI | Parent/Guardian must provide a written request to the school clinic if they do not wish their child to participate in this program. |
SBIRT: | Parent/Guardian must provide a written request to the school clinic if they do not wish their child to participate in this program. |
*Families will be notified of the onset of screenings in school newsletters and on our school website. We will ensure privacy and confidentiality during the screening procedures.*