School Health Screenings

Vision, Hearing, Postural, Height/Weight, and SBIRT

All school health screenings are required by Massachusetts state law. Parents/guardians may request, in writing, that their student not participate in a specific screening, and such opt-out requests must be submitted annually. 

WHAT IS A SCHOOL VISION SCREENING? 

A vision screening is a technique used by specially trained school nurses to determine if an individual might have a vision problem. The screening utilizes a chart with letters at a specific distance away from the student which tests vision accuracy. A vision screening is different from a professional eye examination by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. This specially trained optometrist or ophthalmologist looks at all aspects of your child’s vision and eye health and will establish a plan for a vision problem if one is detected. 

WHY DO WE DO VISION SCREENINGS IN SCHOOL?

School vision screenings often pick up vision problems which typically develop during childhood when children and their parents/guardians are unaware of any change. Researchers have established a direct link between vision impairment and school inattention, behavior issues and persistent literacy difficulties. If vision issues are addressed early, children are less likely to develop long term educational and social-emotional difficulties and can be more successful in school. 

WHAT IS A SCHOOL HEARING SCREENING? 

A  hearing screening is a technique used by a specially trained school nurse to determine if an individual might have a hearing problem. It is usually a small tabletop machine with headphones for the student to wear to test for hearing accuracy. A hearing screening is different from a professional hearing examination which should be performed by a licensed audiologist and otolaryngologist/otologist. These specially trained providers look at all aspects of your child’s hearing and will establish a treatment plan if any problems are detected. 

WHY DO WE DO HEARING SCREENINGS IN SCHOOL?

Hearing screenings are an integral tool in identifying children with hearing loss who were not identified at birth, who may have been lost to follow-up, or who developed late-onset hearing loss. Without mandated routine hearing screenings in schools, students with unilateral or less severe hearing loss may not be identified and could result in academic and other learning difficulties.

WHAT IS A SCHOOL POSTURAL SCREENING? 

Postural screening is a procedure performed by a specially trained school nurse or teacher to help determine the risk for a curvature of the spine. All students are given the option to decline the screening or to have the school nurse perform the screening in the separate setting of the health clinic. 

WHY DO WE DO POSTURAL SCREENINGS IN SCHOOL? 

The purpose of postural screenings is to identify early signs of spinal curvatures and other issues. The first mild signs of curvature usually appear in early adolescence and because they almost always develop without any pain or discomfort, they often go unnoticed and untreated. Most curvatures and other spinal issues can be easily treated if detected early. 

WHAT IS A BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) SCREENING?

BMI screening is a tool used to identify individuals who might be at risk for being underweight, overweight, or obese. It is an index of weight and height; defined as body weight divided by height squared. At NPS, students have their height and weight checked in a private setting, facing away from the scales, and are not told the results. BMI results are strictly confidential and not accessible and/or shared with any staff. School BMI results are reported to MDPH in aggregate form, meaning student names and any identifying factors are not reported. 

WHY DO WE DO BMI SCREENINGS IN SCHOOL?

Childhood obesity is a serious health problem in the United States putting children & adolescents at risk for poor health. 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. Its goal is to focus on supporting change at the system and environmental level, not at the individual level. 

WHAT IS SBIRT SCREENING?

SBIRT is a screening questionnaire tool used by specially trained school professionals to identify students who might be at risk for substance use disorders. At NPS, school nurses, school social workers, and school counselors conduct the SBIRT screenings using the CRAFTT-II screening questionnaire during a private, structured 1:1 conversation with students to help build trusting relationships around education, behavior, and support related to substance use. 

WHY DO WE DO SBIRT SCREENINGS IN SCHOOL?

SBIRT is intended to identify substance use risk behaviors and to improve the health, safety, resilience, and success in students. Importantly for NPS students, SBIRT screening provides a unique opportunity for the student to sit with a trusted adult on a 1:1 basis and receive personalized education about the risk of substance use on the young developing brain, to ask questions in a private setting, and to address any concerns. For more info, click on SBIRT in Schools and FAQs.

The 2021 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey reports for middle school youth of current alcohol and marijuana use are 3% and 1%, respectively. Lifetime use (have used in their lifetime) rises to 11% and 2%, for alcohol and marijuana, respectively. 

The 2021 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey reports for high school youth of current alcohol and marijuana use are 25% and 12%, respectively. Lifetime use rises to 45% and 21%, for alcohol and marijuana, respectively. 

For full report: 2021 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey