Mandated Screenings

Pennsylvania School Health provides the following mandated health services available to students during the school year.

• Growth Screening including height, weight, and BMI percentile for students in grades K-12

• Vision Screening for students in grades K-12.

• Hearing Screening for students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11.

Dental Examinations

• Required in Kindergarten, 3rd, and 7th grades. 

• Parents are advised to have these examinations done by their family dentist because he/she is familiar with the child's past dental history and is prepared to provide any necessary treatment.

Physical Examinations

• Required in Kindergarten, 6th, and 11th grades. 

• Examinations done by a family physician within one year prior to entry into the grade where an examination is required and recorded on a state form are acceptable by state regulations.

Scoliosis Screening

• Required for students in grades 6 and 7.

Parents/Guardians will be notified of any abnormal vision, hearing, or scoliosis screening results. If interested in obtaining a copy of your child's growth screening, please contact the school nurse. 

If you receive a referral form after any school screening, it means that during the screening a possible concern was detected. Further evaluation by a professional healthcare provider is recommended. Please have your private physician (or healthcare provider), dentist, or eye doctor evaluate your child and complete the form. Return the completed form to the school nurse and if you have any questions or concerns please contact the school nurse.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health requires school districts to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). The Stroudsburg Area School District nurses will be implementing the BMI program throughout the district in all grade levels (k to 12).

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) is a good way to monitor a child's weight to determine if he/she is at risk for certain chronic diseases. The BMI formula helps us see whether a child's weight is in proportion to his or her height.

• At risk below average weight BMI-for-age < 5th percentile

• At risk of above average weight BMI-for-age 85th percentile to < 95th percentile

• At risk of above average weight BMI-for-age >95th percentile

For more information on BMI PERCENTILE, click here. 

A check for evidence of spinal curvature is required for all students in Grades 6 (during the physical examination) and Grade 7. If your child has previously been diagnosed with scoliosis or is currently being monitored by their physician for scoliosis, we recommend their private physician complete the screening form for comparison and follow-up. 

Should a problem be detected in any of the screenings or examinations offered by the school health program, a referral will be sent home recommending that the parents seek further evaluation and/or treatment. This referral form is to be completed by the Primary Care Provider evaluating the child and returned to the nurse's office.

If you have any questions please contact the school nurse.