Health Screenings
Vision and Hearing
This screening is mandated by Texas law in grades EC, PK, KN, 01, 03, 05, 07, and students in other grades who are new to GISD. Parents of students who fail two vision screenings 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 one of the school district’s audiologists recommending either additional testing at the sound booth at the GISD Administration Building (free of charge) or a more comprehensive exam by a physician.
Spinal
This screening is mandated by Texas law in grades 05, 08, and students in grades 06 and 07 who are new to GISD. 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 school nurses. Parents of students who have any positive findings will receive a letter from the school nurse with recommendations.
Acanthosis Nigricans
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 individually and privately at a later date. Parents will be notified of these specific findings.
If you have any questions about any of these screenings or your child’s results, please contact the school nurse on your child’s campus.