The health screening programs of the Dunklin R-5 School District are designed to examine the
populations at highest risk at a time when early intervention has the most benefit. The following
guidelines govern the district's health screening program:
1. The district will examine past screenings and assess them for effectiveness in order to ensure
future screening programs effectively meet the needs of the district. The district plan for
assessing the district's screening needs is: age appropriate screenings for hearing, vision,
weight and scoliosis sould be done as early in the school year as possible and new students
should be screened as soon as possible after enrollment.
2. Screening includes immunization assessments, health history at the time of student's
enrollment, screening made by a physician of kindergarten students, and the screening of all
elementary students new to the district. Based on the district's assessment plan above, the
district's screening plan is:
► Vision – Students first enrolling in the district in kindergarten or first grade will
receive a vision screening prior to or upon enrollment. This screening will be
conducted even if the student presents proof of a vision examination for enrollment
purposes, as required by law. In addition, students will be screened again before the
end of the third grade. Students will be excused from any screening upon receipt of
a written request from the student's parent/guardian. Results of each vision
screening will be recorded on a form provided by the Department of Health and
Senior Services (DHSS).
Annual screenings are made for vision in grades Kindergarten, first, third, fifth and
seventh.
► Annual screenings are also made for scoliosis in grades six through eight (6-8);and
in hearing for grades Kingergarten, first, second, fourth, sixth and eighth.
Additional screenings are done when requested by a counselor, teacher or parent. Parents
are notified when referrals are made.
3. The nurse will produce a calendar reflecting the approximate dates for screenings, re-screenings and screening follow-up that is coordinated with the overall school calendar.
4. The nursing staff will assist the superintendent or designee in identifying individual
personnel to be utilized in the screening process.
5. The district will use the following procedures to notify parents/guardians of pertinent
information pertaining to screening:
► Student Handbooks – All student handbooks will include a description of the types
of screenings the district will conduct, the timing for those screenings, and the
process for excusing the student from a screening.
► Parents/Guardians will be made aware of screening by signing a consent form before
each screening is completed.
6. Follow-ups to screenings will include:
► Vision – When a student fails an eye screening, the school district will send a
standard notice to the parent/guardian, as required by law. The notice must be
completed by the parent/guardian and returned to the district, where one (1) copy
will be kept in the student's file and one (1) copy will be sent to DHSS. District staff
will also notify the director of special education to determine whether the district
needs to seek additional evaluation of the student.
► Referrals to parents/guardians should be made in a timely manner. Referrals should
include clear directions to parents for desired follow-up.
► Teachers should be alerted to suspected hearing/vision problems and informed of
preferential seating if appropriate.
► Follow-up with parents/guardians should be conducted after a referral has been
made. If parents/guardians indicate a need for assistance, school nurses should
provide resources for appropriate health care providers.
► Student's health record should reflect medical recommendations, such as student-obtained glasses. Teachers should also be informed of these recommendations.
► Screening program should be reviewed yearly and revised to meet the needs of
students or to change periodically as indicated.
Parents/Guardians who need to consult with district staff regarding the results of any
screening should contact the school nurse.
7. Members of the nursing staff are responsible for monitoring the results of all screenings and
notifying the special education department or other appropriate staff members if a student
may need classroom adaptations, special education services or accommodations.
* * * * * * *
Note: The reader is encouraged to review policies and/or forms for related information in this
administrative area.
Implemented: 05/15/2006
Revised: 10/06/2006; 04/21/2008
Dunklin R-5 School District, Herculaneum, Missouri
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