Note: Grades K, 2,4,6,8 and 9th grades participate in school health screenings each year. Parents receive their child’s health screening results. Pre-K students receive vision and hearing screening only. Pre-K parents are notified of these results by their child’s teacher. Information about each screening is provided below.
Vision: Good vision is very important! Good vision is needed throughout life to conduct every day skills, keeping safe and performing academic skills, such as reading. A Potec 5000 Auto-Refractometer is used to screen vision for those students who do not wear corrective lens. For those students who already wear corrective lens, a Snellen chart is used. It is recommended that children have their eyes checked every two years by an optometrist for an exam, unless the student already wears lens. If the students already wears lens, then it is recommended every year.
Hearing: Hearing deficits in children can interfere with normal speech and language development, communication, and with the ability to learn. The objective of the hearing screening is to identify students with possible hearing deficits at the earliest stage possible in order to refer for diagnosis and treatment, if required. An audiometer is used for the hearing screening.
Blood Pressure: High blood pressure or hypertension can be an indicator of serious health issues. Blood pressure can usually be controlled with diet and exercise. High blood pressure should always be monitored by a doctor. Blood pressure classifications in children and adolescents are determined by comparing their blood pressure readings to their height.
Body Mass Index (BMI): The height/weight/age method of obtaining BMI is a general test. A BMI above the 85th percentile or below the 5th percentile may place a child at health risk; and parents should seek further assessment by a health care professional. BMI’s above the 85th percentile may lead to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol levels. Weight can be controlled with reductions of soda and sugary foods, as well as increased exercise.
Scoliosis (6th grade only): A spinal condition that often develops during childhood or adolescence. A spine with scoliosis will curve to the left or right. Scoliosis curves often look like the letter “S” or “C,” and they primarily affect the thoracic (middle) or lumbar (low back) regions.
Screening is NOT diagnostic and should NOT be considered the equivalent of a medical examination. Your child should have well check-ups with his/her pediatrician as he/she deems necessary.