The school nurses engage students in annual health screenings that include vision, hearing, body mass index (BMI), scoliosis, and SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment). The nurses follow the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations for all screening activities. Parents and guardians will be notified in advance of all screening dates and allowed to opt their child out from screenings.
Children in the 1st-5th, 7th, and 9th grades are screened for near and far vision acuity. Stereopsis screening is done with children in the 1st-3rd grade to identify potential for amblyopia. Kindergartners are screened if the Primary Care Provider has not submitted evidence of a recent vision screening exam.
Elementary school-aged children in Kindergarten-3rd, 7th, and 9th grades are screened for hearing problems.
The child’s height and weight are taken to find the child’s BMI. The height and weight are taken in 1st, 4th, 7th and 9th grade. Measurements are done in a way that is objective and confidential.
Scoliosis (Postural) Screenings: Postural screening is done in 5th, 7th and 9th grades.
SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment)
SBIRT in Schools is a proactive approach to having conversations about substance use. The SBIRT approach is:
A way for trusted school professionals to have 1:1 conversations with students
A prevention strategy for youth who are not currently using
An early intervention approach for youth who report substance use and a way to connect youth to supportive resources and services
A Massachusetts requirement since 2016.
Parents/guardians are only notified if a vision or hearing screening has abnormal findings. If you receive a notice, please have your child evaluated as soon as possible, and return the completed form to the school nurse. Children who can see or hear more clearly are better learners.