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State Mandated Health Screenings

Schools are required by Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 57 and 105 CMR 200.000) to provide vision, hearing, body mass index (BMI), postural, and Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) health screenings to all students. Parents/guardians will be notified if a referral is necessary.

Students entering Kindergarten are required by Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 71 and Section 57, to have had a vision screening by a physician. 

Vision: Annually in grades 1 through 5, once in grades 6 through 8, and once in grades 9 through 12

Hearing: Kindergarten through grade 3 and once in grades 6 through 8 and once in grades 9 through 12

Heights and Weights: Heights and weights are measured and body mass index (BMI) is calculated on children in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. 

Postural Screening: The state of Massachusetts mandates that all students in grades 5 through 9 be screened for scoliosis. Parents will be notified if referral is needed.

SBIRT: Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment is done in grades 7 and 10. The screening uses the CRAFFT tool as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Substance Abuse.  Student screening sessions will be brief and conducted confidentially in a private, one-on-one session.  

Note: Parents/guardians are notified only if a student does not pass a Vision or Hearing Screening.  If a student fails a Vision or Hearing screening at school, a repeat screening is performed usually within 30 days.  If the student fails the second screening, a parent/guardian notification letter is sent home via backpack mail requesting follow-up by the student’s primary care provider. Results of the physician referral should be communicated to the school nurse.
Please make sure that your child brings their prescribed glasses and hearing aids to school each day. 

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