Health Screenings
Health screenings and assessments are a group of screening procedures which, when combined with health history, parent and staff observations and the school nurse’s professional judgment, provide an indication of health status. Health screenings are not intended to diagnose defects or pathology, but to evaluate the need for further medical or other professional care.
Vision Screening
A program of early identification, diagnosis and correction of childhood vision difficulties is an essential part of all child health programs. Screenings are required by the Ohio Department of Health and done under the authority of the Ohio Revised Code, section 3313.69. All students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will have a general distance vision exam. Grades K and 1 screenings also include assessment for eye muscle balance, stereopsis, and color perception (males only). Students new to thedistrict will also be screened during their first year of enrollment.
Parents are notified of exam failures only. If your child passes school screenings, no notification will be sent. If a student fails vision screening, a Referral Form will be sent home. This form should be completed by your eye care professional and returned to the school nurse.
Scoliosis Screening
Scoliosis screening is conducted every January for all students in grade 6. This screening will help identify students with curvature of the spine. You will receive a permission form detailing the method and date of screening prior to the actual screening date. If scoliosis is suspected, you will receive a Referral Form from the school nurse. This form may be completed by the physician and returned to the school nurse. Please contact your school nurse for further information, or to request a screening procedure be done with your child.
BMI (Body Mass Index) Screening
BMI stands for Body Mass Index. Body Mass Index is a number calculated from a child's weight and height. It is a way of checking to see if your child has a healthy weight. The results of the BMI screening are given as a "percentile," and the results compare your child's height and weight to those of other children of your child's age and gender. In general, the higher the BMI, the more fat there is in the body. All students in grades K,
3, 5, and 9 will be asked to participate.