Health Screenings & Examination Requirements

physical

Health Examination (Physical):

Education Law Article 19 and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require physical examinations of public school students who are;

  • entering the district for the first time

  • in UPK, kindergarten, and in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11

  • wishing to partcipate in strenuous physical activity, such as interscholastic athletics

  • requesting an employment certificate

Children should have a physical done every year around their birthday. ALWAYS keep a copy of your child's physicals in a safe place at home. Do not assume your doctors office will fax the school a copy. Please ensure Avon CSD receives a copy of your child's physical. You can confirm a copy has been received by calling the school nurse at (585) 226-2455 ext 1435 (MS/HS) or ext 1123 (ES).

dental

Dental Health Assessment:

A law was recently passed that expands health screenings to include the dental health of all students in New York State. Proof of a dental is requested for students entering the district for the first time, in UPK and kindergarten, and students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The exam must be completed no more than one year prior to the current school year. A certificate needs to be handed in once the exam is completed.

hearing and vision

Hearing and Vision Screening:

Commissioner’s Regulation §136.3(e)(1)(iii) requires hearing screening to be conducted in school if results of a hearing screening are not provided to the school on the student’s health certificate (the physical exam completed by a private healthcare provider) within six months of admission to the school and in grades Pre-K or Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11, and at any other time deemed necessary. The hearing screening shall include, but is not limited to, pure tone screening.

Commissioner’s Regulation §136.3 (e)(1)(ii) requires a vision screening to be conducted in school if the results of a vision screening are not provided to the school on the student’s health certificate (the physical exam completed by a private health care provider) within six months of a student’s admission to the school and in grades Pre-K or Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11, and at any other time deemed necessary. The vision screening shall include but is not limited to, distance acuity, and near vision, except within six months of admission to the school, the student will also be screened for color perception.

Please Note: School vision screenings are not diagnostic and should not state that a student has a vision deficit, but instead should state that findings indicate a possible issue that requires a more thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider.

scoliosis

Scoliosis Screening:

We conduct our scoliosis screenings at school during PE swim unit classes. Required for;

  • Girls in 5th and 7th Grade

  • Boys in 9th Grade

Scoliosis is the medical term for sideways curvature of the spine, the cause is unknown. It becomes more apparent during adolescence because of growth spurts. This condition can more often be corrected if found at an early stage. If untreated, the deformity could become unsightly and cause impairment of the body’s range of motion and endurance. In advanced stages, the distortion of the spine can affect the function of other parts of the body, including the heart and lungs. If longstanding, the condition can also cause back pain. There is a tendency for scoliosis to run in families.

If your child appears to have a deviation slightly from the norm you will be contacted and a letter will be sent home. It will be recommended that this problem be noted by your family health care professional. They may just want to keep an eye on it, or they may refer you for x-rays or to an orthopedic surgeon for examination and treatment.

  • If you child was screened at their most recent physical and it was documented then a screening at school does not need to be conducted.

  • If you would prefer that your child does not participate in this screening please contact the school nurse and provide written documentation.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the screening requirements at Avon CSD, please contact:

Catherine Conroy

MS/HS Registered Nurse
Health Services Deparment Leader

(585) 226-2455 ext 1435
cconroy@aoncsd.org