Volunteer Opportunity Coming SOON!

Scolio Dance Initiative

Volunteer Opportunities

You can do ONE or ALL of the following to earn volunteer service hours.

1) Scoliosis Awareness Flyer Outreach (5 hours each flyer - Max 30 hours)

Students can distribute and display Scoliosis Awareness Flyers in schools and dance studios.  These flyers educate students and families about scoliosis and the importance of early detection.  All locations must be approved by a school principal, counselor, or studio owner before posting any flyers.

Physical Flyer Posting = 5 Service Hours per Physical Posting (30 hours maximum per school/studio)

Post a scoliosis awareness flyer in a high-visibility hallway at a school or dance studio. For example:

• School hallway bulletin board, locker room, gym

• Counselor office bulletin board

• Dance studio lobby

• Studio hallway

Volunteer Hours Earned: 5 hours per placement of physical flyers (maximum 30 hours per school or studio)

Approval from the principal, counselor, or studio owner is required. Photo verification required. Screenshot email of administrator’s approval to post physical flyers required.

Digital Flyer Distribution = 5 Service Hours per Digital Placement (no limit)

If a scoliosis awareness flyer is shared digitally through any of the following channels, volunteers will earn 5 hours per placement:

• School's parent newsletter/communication

• School's student newsletter

• School newspaper

• School website

• Dance studio parent newsletter

• Dance studio website

Each approved digital placement/distribution earns 5 volunteer hours. (no maximum hours)

Approval from the principal, counselor, or studio owner is required. Photo verification required. Screenshot email of administrator’s approval to post physical flyers required.

Verification Requirements

To receive volunteer hours, students must submit photo or digital proof:

Examples:

• Photo of flyer posted in hallway

• Screenshot of flyer in school newsletter

• Screenshot of flyer on school website

• Screenshot of flyer in dance studio newsletter

All submissions will be reviewed for verification. Screenshot of administrator’s approval is required.

2) Public Health Awareness Campaign (1 hour each post - Max 6 hours)

Students can post on social media accounts Scoliosis Awareness Flyers and tag @scolio.dance.initiative and @luskinoic .  These flyers educate students and families about scoliosis and the importance of early detection.  All posts must be screenshot and uploaded for verification purposes.

3) Health Policy Advocacy (2 hours)

Students can send a letter to the their state's governor in support of Scoliosis Awareness Month (SAM) using an email template that can be found on Scoliosis Research Society's (SRS.org) website ( https://www.srs.org/Patients/Events/Scoliosis-Awareness-Month/Social-Media-Tools Template Letter to Governor on bottom of the webpage) .  SRS is a nonprofit organization with many objectives, one being to have every state, district and commonwealth to officially declare by proclamation their observance of National Scoliosis Awareness month during the month of June.  All letters to the governor must be screenshot and uploaded for verification purposes.

1 hour for research of your state's scoliosis awareness and screening in schools mandates/suspensions

1 hour for letter writing and sending email to the governor

Volunteer Support Provided

To help volunteers succeed, the program provides:

• A ready-to-use scoliosis awareness flyer - downloadable

• A professional email template for contacting schools or studios

Program Impact

By participating in this program, volunteers help:

• Increase scoliosis awareness among students and families

• Encourage early medical evaluation and support spine health in young people

• Promote awareness in the dance community

Even one flyer can help a student or parent recognize the signs of scoliosis and seek early medical advice.

Scoliosis Awareness Volunteer Program

(Scolio Dance Initiative X Joy Card Project)

The Scoliosis Awareness Volunteer Program empowers students to help spread awareness about scoliosis in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and dance studios. By sharing educational materials with their communities, volunteers help students, teachers, and families recognize early signs of scoliosis and seek medical evaluation sooner.

This program also allows student volunteers to earn verified community service hours while helping improve youth health awareness and providing emotional support. Optional cardmaking component for scoliosis patients to be announced soon.

Why Scoliosis Awareness Matters

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves and twists to the side instead of growing in a straight line. Early detection is extremely important because scoliosis often develops during the rapid growth period of adolescence.

In the 1970s and 1980s, many U.S. states enacted laws requiring scoliosis screening programs in schools to help identify students who might need medical evaluation. However, today these screenings do not always occur consistently. In some areas, school screenings may be suspended or reduced depending on funding, staffing, or district priorities in a given year. Because of this, awareness is more important than ever.

When scoliosis is identified early, treatment options may include:

• Monitoring by a doctor

• Physical therapy

• Bracing

If scoliosis is diagnosed late, treatment options can become more limited, and curves may progress further before being detected.  

By educating students, teachers, and families about scoliosis signs, volunteers can help ensure more young people are evaluated earlier if needed.

Why This Is Especially Important for Dancers

Research suggests that dancers may have a higher rate of scoliosis than the general population.  Because dancers are often very flexible and strong, early signs of scoliosis can sometimes be less noticeable. That is why scoliosis awareness in dance studios and performing arts schools is particularly important.

*Research suggests that up to 20-30% of dancers may be diagnosed with scoliosis, compared to 2-3% of the general population in the U.S.

Signs of Scoliosis to Watch For

Students, teachers, and parents should look for:

• Uneven shoulders

• One hip higher than the other

• One shoulder blade sticking out more

• A rib cage that looks uneven when bending forward

• Clothing hanging unevenly

• A visible curve in the spine

If any of these signs appear, students should consult a healthcare professional for evaluation.

Scoliosis Awareness Flyer for 

DANCERS/Dance Studios 

front and back of the double sided flyer

Scoliosis Awareness Flyer for 

TEENS/Schools

front and back of the double sided flyer

Scoliosis Flyer by Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LOIC)

front and back of the double sided flyer