These screenings are mandated by Texas law in grades PK, KG, 01, 03, 05, 07, and students in other grades who are new to S-TISD. Parents of students who fail vision screening will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by an eye doctor. Parents of students who fail hearing screening will receive a letter from the school nurse for a more comprehensive exam by a physician. Parents who do not want their child to participate in state mandated screening must provide a notarized letter by September 1st of the current school year stating they would like to opt out and provide results of a current vision and hearing screen from an authorized provider within 30 days.

This screening is mandated by Texas law as follows:

• Girls will be screened two times, once at age 10 (or fall semester of grade 5) and again at age 12 (or fall semester of grade 7).

• Boys will be screened one time at age 13 or 14 (or fall semester of grade 8).

Spinal screening is designed to detect abnormalities that may be indicative of conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or lordosis. This is done in a private environment by the school nurse. Parents of students who have any positive findings will receive a letter from the school nurse with recommendations. Parents who do not want their child to participate in state mandated screening must provide a notarized letter by September 1st of the current school year stating they would like to opt out and provide results of a current spinal screen from an authorized provider within 30 days.

This screening is mandated by Texas law in grades 01, 03, 05, and 07 and is usually done at the same time as vision and hearing screening. Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is a skin discoloration that may indicate high levels of insulin in the blood which results from insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can create a potential risk for the development of Type 2 Diabetes. The skin on the nape of the neck will be visually examined. If the AN marker is noted, then the student will have blood pressure, height, and weight measured. Parents will be notified of these specific findings.