The purpose of completing vision screenings at school is to identify possible visual problems that may be a deterrent to the student's educational performance in school, and to refer for appropriate diagnosis and treatment by an eye care professional.

Every student entering public schools in NC for the first time should obtain a vision screening as a required element of the mandated NC Kindergarten Health Assessment. This may be completed by the student's primary care physician. 

Vision Screenings will be conducted annually in Graham County Schools for all students in grades 1, 3 and 5 at the elementary school, and in grade 7 at the middle school.  Additional vision screenings will be performed for:

•  all students, regardless of grade level, who are new to the GCS system

• students in special education programs 

• students who demonstrate possible vision problems in the classroom and are referred by teachers.

The school nurse can assist families who qualify for vision care programs in obtaining exams and/or eye glasses on an as needed basis.

Vision screeners will follow the Prevent Blindness NC recommendations/procedures as promoted by the N.C. Division of Public Health, Children and Youth Branch, School Health Unit.

Screening shall be done for students being referred for the Exceptional Children’s Program evaluation or for re-evaluation for Exceptional Children’s Program and speech therapy. 

Screening may be done upon referral from teacher or parent/guardian if they suspect a hearing problem. The screening shall be done by the school nurse or speech pathologist. 

Dental Health Screenings serve to increase awareness and the importance of good oral health and it also allows the school nurse to assist students, parents and teachers to become familiar with available dental services. School health programs may help facilitate dental screenings and assist with referral and follow up for students. 

Dental hygienists and oral health professionals from the Smile North Carolina Program visit our schools twice a year to conduct mass dental screenings and provide routine dental care during the school day. Smile NC accepts Medicaid, private insurance, and also offers no-cost care for those students demonstrating financial need.  Dates will be communicated to parents via flyers, social media, and school all-calls.  Permission forms must be signed and returned for students to be seen by the Smile NC Program professionals. If you have questions about this program, please visit their webpage, or feel free to contact your child's school nurse.

A dental hygienist from NC DPH also conducts non-invasive dental screenings of our kindergarten students each year. This screening helps the state to gather data to help prevent dental issues and advance the oral and overall health of students.  

Students may be also be screened for the following annually in a Health Fair setting: 

• Height

• Weight

• BMI

Parents/guardians will be notified if there is an abnormal finding and appropriate referrals will be made. 

All parents must complete the GCS Health Screening Parental Consent Form annually in order for their student to participate in any health screening provided by the school.  A copy of this consent form is provided at the beginning of each school year, and is also available digitally to the left for download. Parents who choose for their child to participate in health screening will be notified of the results of all screenings performed. A separate consent form will be sent home for the NC Smile Program Dental Program, as this program/treatment is not operated by GCS staff. Please feel free to contact your child's School Nurse with any questions/concerns regarding screening(s).