Dear Parents/Guardians:

 

The Carroll Middle School Nurse will be conducting spinal screening for all of 8th grade, Wednesday, Nov. 14 and Monday, Nov. 26, during their social studies class.  If your student has a current athletics physical on file, they will not be screened unless you request it through the Nurse.  The purpose of this screening is to detect signs of abnormal curves of the spine at their earliest stages so that the need for treatment can be determined.  Scoliosis, a common spinal abnormality found in adolescents, is a sideways twisting of the spine.  It is usually detected in children between 10 and 14 years of age.  Kyphosis, sometimes called round back, is an exaggerated rounding of the upper back and is often confused with poor posture. Many cases of curvature of the spine are mild and require only ongoing observation by a physician when they are first diagnosed.  Other cases can worsen with time as the child grows and require active treatment such as wearing a brace and surgery.  Early treatment can prevent the development of a severe deformity, which can affect a person's appearance and health.

 

The procedure for screening is simple. Students will be asked to remove their shirts so screeners who have been specially trained can look at the child's back while he/she stands and then bends forward.

 

To avoid changing clothes at the school:     

 

* Girls should wear a thin tank top/cami, a sports bra, or a two-piece swimsuit top underneath their shirt on these days.

* It is recommended that students remove their shirts during the screening

 

* Boys and Girls will be screened separately, and one at a time.

 

Parents will be notified of the results of the screening via letter/email, only if professional follow-up is necessary.  The screening procedure does not replace your child's need for regular health care and check-ups.

 

According to state law, all students in this grade must receive a spinal screening from a trained professional. IF, FOR A RELIGIOUS OR MEDICAL REASON, YOU DO NOT WISH TO HAVE YOUR CHILD SCREENED, YOU ARE TO SUBMIT AN AFFIDAVIT OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION TO THE SCHOOL NURSE OR A MEDICAL WAIVER STATING THEY HAVE ALREADY HAD A SCREENING PERFORMED BY A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL AND IT MUST BE SIGNED BY A DOCTOR NO LATER THAN 8:00 AM ON NOVEMBER 14TH.

 

Feel free to call the nurse at 817-949-5402 with any questions you have regarding this screening.

 

Thank you for your cooperation,

 

Susan Bonczyk, RN

Carroll Middle School Nurse