Masconomet Forms Page

MANDATED SCREENINGS

High Nurse's Office:
Karen Flom RN, BSN, NCSN, MEd
Phone Number 978-887-2323 x6116
Fax Number 978-887-7243
Hours Mon.- Thurs.7:25am-2:53pm.
Fri. 7:25am-2:38pm Middle School Nurse's Office:
Gwen Lemire, RN, BSN, NCSN
Phone Number 978-887-2323 x6125
Fax Number 978-887-1991
Hours Mon.-Thurs. 7:25am-2:53pm
Fri. 7:25 am-2:38 pm

"A child must be healthy to learn- and learn to be healthy."
(Mass Dept. of Public Health)

Scoliosis Screenings: All 7th, 8th and 9th grade students are screened for scoliosis. The purpose of this screening is to find early signs of possible spinal problems in children
(Grades 5 - 9). This is not a diagnostic service but a program mandated by the state to identify young people who should have further medical evaluation. If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified by letter and asked to take your child to his or her primary care provider as a precaution. The majority of students exhibit no findings. If nothing unusual is found, you will not be contacted. Ninth grade is the last year that postural screenings are performed in school. If you do not want your child to be screened for reasons other than on religious grounds, please provide written documentation from his or her primary care physician. This documentation should include the date of the most recent screening, the findings, and the signature of the physician.

Vision/Hearing Screenings: All 7th and 10th grade students are tested for vision/hearing. If your child does not pass the screening test(s), you will be notified by letter and asked to take your child for further follow-up.

Body Mass Index (Ht. and Wt.) Screenings: The height and weight of all students in grades 8th, 9th and 10th is measured. Part of this screening is the calculation of a Body Mass Index or BMI. BMI is a standard for estimating body fat. As you know, body fat can be an important indicator in terms of assessing one’s overall health. If your child's BMI falls within the ranges listed below (According to the Center for Disease Control), you will be notified by a letter. recommending that you discuss these results with you child’s primary care physician if you haven’t already done so.
            Underweight                          BMI < 5th percentile
            At risk of overweight               BMI > 85th percentile
            Overweight                             BMI > 95th percentile

Please remember, BMI is a screening tool and may not always accurately describe a child’s weight classification.