Auditory Screening
The purpose of a school auditory screening program is to identify students with any hearing loss that may impact their intellectual, emotional, social, speech, or language development.
All Briarcliff students receive auditory screening annually. Parents are notified in writing of any abnormal findings and the need for further evaluation by a healthcare provider.
Blood Pressure Screening
High blood pressure in children can signal the possibility of serious underlying problems, such as heart or kidney disease. The American Heart Association and the Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend annual blood pressure checks for all children above the age of three. Identification of children who have elevated blood pressure allows their healthcare provider to evaluate the cause and institute proper treatment to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease as they grow into adulthood.
All Briarcliff students receive blood pressure screening annually. When a referral is necessary for additional evaluation by a healthcare provider, the parent/guardian will be notified in writing. The results of the school screenings will be included in this notification.
Measurement of Height and Weight
Annual height and weight measurements provide a simple, effective method of identifying significant childhood health problems. Deviation in normal growth patterns can result from any of the following:
- Systemic disorders (malnutrition)
- Intestinal conditions
- Psychosocial conditions (eating disorders)
- Congenital disorders
- Conditions of the endocrine system (hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency)
All Briarcliff students have their height and weight measured annually. Any deviation from the norm, parents are notified in writing.
Scoliosis Screening
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine most commonly detected during the adolescent growth period. It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of school children have such a curvature to varying degrees. However, only about 2% of these curvatures are significant. If someone else in the family has scoliosis, the likelihood of incidence is much higher-approximately 20%. The effect of scoliosis depends upon its severity, how early it is detected, and how promptly it is treated.
By law, every school in New Jersey must provide scoliosis screening of every student between the ages of 10 and 18 every two years. The goal of this mass screening is to identify scoliosis in its earliest stages, because curvatures can often be controlled if detected early. Students diagnosed with scoliosis should be under the care and supervision of a healthcare provider.
All students in The Mountain Lakes School District will be screened for scoliosis in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11. any student may be exempt from the examination as per written request by a parent/guardian.
Scoliosis Examination Exemption Form
Scoliosis screening is performed on all seventh graders. When screening results deviate from the norm, the parents/guardians are notified in writing of these results and of the need for additional evaluation by a healthcare provider.
Vision Screening
In order to detect visual impairment, the vision screening process is essential for all students enrolled in school.
Visual Acuity Screening is performed annually using Snellen Eye Charts. When screening results deviate from the normal, parents/guardians are notified in writing of these results and of the need for additional evaluation by a healthcare provider.