Health Office Vision and Hearing Screenings

Health Screenings

Halloween is a good time to learn how healthy eating and exercise helps our bones to be strong.

Each student has their height and weight recorded the first two weeks of school.

Vision and hearing screening is performed on all students Pre K-4th grade. Parents will be notified if the results are not within the normal ranges. (NJ Law does not require it done yearly for all grade levels), Blood pressure is obtained when the student comes for the vision and hearing screening.

Hearing:
If a student does not pass the hearing screening, it will be repeated within a few weeks and then you will be notified if they did not pass again. You will be notified if wax appears to be blocking the ear canal.

Pre K students are screened using the Ero-Scan machine which is an automatic screening device that indicates "pass, fail or refer".
Kindergarten-4th grade students sit for an audiometer screening.

Vision:
The referral level for far vision is 20/40, or if there is a two step difference between the eyes. For example, left eye 20/30 and right eye 20/50.
Muscle balance referral is for a student does not pass at near and far distances.
Please understand that a referral does not mean that your student requires glasses. It means that an eye exam by an eye doctor to exam vision and check eye health is warranted. A report will be sent home and it is appreciated that you have your eye doctor fill in the form and then return it to the Health Office.

Pre K students are screened using a Good-Lite shape board. Verbal skills are not required as shape matching is utilized. Your student's paraprofessionals are instrumental in assisting the nurse with this screening.

Generally, screening is started in October for any Kindergarten student who did not attend the Spring screening session or submit documentation from their physician. Screening continues with 1st Grade-4th grade until April.  You will be notified only if your student does not screen within the normal ranges. Please call the Health Office at 973-584-8957 if you have any questions.

Kindergartners were read a story, "Germs Are Not For Sharing", and we discussed coughing or sneezing into an elbow. They also learned that germs are easily spread through the air and on touch surfaces.  The proper technique for handwashing was reviewed, as well as when it is a good idea to wash hands.