As required by state law, a postural screening program to detect possible curvature of the spine will be conducted for all students in grades five through eight. The purpose of this program is to recognize the signs of abnormal spinal curvature at its earliest stages in order to ensure timely diagnosis, monitoring and, if indicated, treatment.  Early detection and treatment are important to ensure a successful long term outcome.

Screening programs in schools are primarily targeted to identifying the type of spinal curvature referred to as “idiopathic scoliosis.”  This type of scoliosis typically occurs during the growth spurt in adolescence and is called “idiopathic” because it has no known cause.  Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine; it generally develops slowly and without pain, and can remain stable at a mild level or progress to a moderate or severe curvature.  

School nurses and substitute school nurses will conduct the scoliosis screenings with full privacy. The examination is simple, usually requiring less than a minute. These trained examiners inspect the student’s spine as he/she stands and then bends forward.  Girls are asked to wear a bathing suit top or sports bra under their clothing during the week of examination to allow exposure of the back. 

We will conduct scoliosis screening during the weeks of January 11^th and 18^th.  If you have any questions concerning the postural screening program, or if you do not want your child to be screened here at school, please call us at 938-4892.

After the screening, if further consultation is recommended, parents will be notified by mail of the findings and will be asked to seek further evaluation with their own physician.