IMPORTANT INFO FOR NEXT WEEK 1/16 FROM NURSE AMY
Good afternoon FMS families,
It is that time of year when I will begin conducting the annual screenings for all students in grades 4-8. Next week 1/16 we will start and will continue through the month until done.
I will have assistance from nurse Janet and two nursing students to hopefully achieve this goal in the quickest and easiest way possible for the students and their teachers. Our goal will be to focus on the postural for 5-8th grade next week. These will be done during their gym class. So please read the below information about the postural screening. Inform your student of the upcoming screening as these are best done when the students are informed and prepared.
Postural screening
If documentation of screening was submitted for this year, those students will be opted out. If you opted your student out and documentation had not been provided I will contact you for those results If I do not already have them.
This screening is not a diagnostic service but a program to identify children who may need further evaluation.
Postural screening seeks to detect early signs of a spinal curvature. There are two major types of spine curvatures. The first is scoliosis which is a lateral curvature of the spine. It occurs in about 10% of the population and affects girls more often than boys. Scoliosis must be identified during the growth spurt to maximize effectiveness of treatment.
The second type of curvature is kyphosis which is a front-to-back curvature that is not as common. It affects boys more often than girls.
Although the cause of the curvatures is not known and not preventable, early detection and prompt treatment is recommended to minimize the very serious complications that can arise if left untreated.
Screenings are quick, easy and usually take about a minute. Each student is screened individually by the school nurse usually during a PE class. Students receive information about why the screening is done; what the screener is looking for.
For optimal viewing of the back, the student’s back should be bare. Girls are usually most comfortable wearing a sports bra or a bathing suit top. If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified and asked to take your child for an evaluation by his/her primary care physician as a precaution.
Please remind your child of the screening date so they will be dressed comfortably for them. Please let them know they are in private and peers will not be with them.
Vision and Hearing screening
Screenings are conducted according to guidelines provided by MDPH. A referral letter will be sent home when the student does not meet the screening parameters, recommending evaluation by your physician or vision professional.
Vision screening is performed in grades PK, K-5, 7 and 10.
Hearing screening is performed in grades 1-3, 7 and 10.
Body Mass Index (BMI) (height and weight) screening.
Corresponding percentile is calculated and recorded following guidelines from the MDPH for each student. Results are no longer mailed home however, results will be recorded in the student’s cumulative health record at school. Parents are welcome to call the school nurse to discuss the findings.
I hope that you find this information helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call me at 978-897-9234 or email me at ajamieson@maynard.k12.ma.us
Thank you!
Nurse Amy
