Dear Alma Families,
Starting in March, our school’s health staff will begin a health screening called SBIRT. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. SBIRT is used to screen for alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, and other drug use. This health screening is required by Massachusetts law.
Students in grade 8 will take part in this screening which takes about 5-10 minutes. School health staff will have one-on-one conversations with students. They will ask students about alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, or other drug use over the past year. Staff will then talk with each student about how to support their overall health, safety, and success in school. If the student needs more assessment or support, health staff may work with the student and/or their parent/guardian.
The questions asked during this screening are listed in the attached CRAFFT screening tool. Please read this tool, which has been approved by the Department of Public Health.
Please note:
- Screening results are recorded. No information that could identify a student is kept (for example, name or date of birth).
- Screening results will not go into the student’s school record.
- Screening results will not be shared without the permission of the student or their parent/guardian. However, results may be shared in the case of immediate medical emergency, or when required by state law.
As with any school health screening, you can opt your child out of this process. If you wish to opt your child out, please do so by Friday, February 23rd. Students themselves may also choose not to take part. If you do not want your child to participate in this screening or you have questions, please contact the following health staff:
Grace Rego, RN Kimberly Harrison, Nurse Leader
Sarah Molina, RN (Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus): 774-206-6827
(Frederick Douglass Campus): 774-762-4770
Parents and guardians can help their children make healthy choices. One important way to prevent alcohol and drug use is to talk with them about your thoughts and expectations. Some resources that can help these discussions include:
Together, schools and parents/guardians CAN make a difference for our scholars at Alma Del Mar.
Alma del Mar Health Office