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: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/09/11/105cmr200.pdf
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Vision:
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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:
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Kindergarten through grade 3 and once in grades 6 through 8 and once in grades 9 through 12
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Heights and Weights:
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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.
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Postural Screening:
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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.
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SBIRT:
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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.
SBIRT IN SCHOOLS
CRAFFT-II Screening Interview
Video: Overview of SBIRT in Schools
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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:
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Hearing & Vision:
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Copy of the screening results from the physician for the current school year.
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Postural:
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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.
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Height/Weight/BMI
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Parent/Guardian must provide a written request to the school clinic if they do not wish their child to participate in this program.
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SBIRT:
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Parent/Guardian must provide a written request to the school clinic if they do not wish their child to participate in this program.
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**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. **