Dear Alma Families:
Starting this month, the Health Office will be conducting the following state mandated health screenings such as Vision, Hearing, Posture, Growth (Height/Weight - Body Mass Index), and SBIRT as required by the state.
- Vision assessment in grades K through 6.
- Hearing assessment in grades K through 3 and grade 6.
- Posture assessments in grades 5 through 8.
- Growth (Height/Weight - Body Mass Index) assessments in grades 1, 4, and 7, as required by the state. This data will be reported to the state as a cumulative number with no individual identities provided.
- SBIRT is a brief private conversation that will take place between the nurse and each 8th grade scholar. In March, 2016, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted an Act relative to substance use, treatment, education and prevention (STEP Act) which outlines the requirements for public schools in the Commonwealth to engage in substance use screening and education.
Most importantly, screenings will be conducted in privacy. The results of any screenings will be kept in your scholar’s school health record and be kept confidential. If a parent/guardian would like a copy of the results, please write a note stating this and give it to the Health Office. Parents will be notified of failed screenings with a Referral Letter, which will suggest seeking further medical assessment, such as a professional eye exam for example.
If you do not want your scholar to be screened for any reason, please submit a letter to the Health Office stating such, prior to screens starting. Please contact the Health Office for any questions regarding these screenings.
Sincerely,
The Alma Health Office