Dear Parent/Guardian:

Massachusetts General Law c. 71,s. 57 requires all publicly enrolled students in grades 5 through 9 to receive annual postural screening for scoliosis. Postural screening is essential as your child is going through his/her most rapid rate of growth during 5th-9th grade. During this time, early detection of a spinal curvature can create opportunity for the easiest treatment to correct the growth of the spine. Not recognizing the problem until the child is fully grown can lead to serious complications as an adult, such as pain and even difficulty breathing, which may only be corrected by surgery. 

Generally, these screenings are part of your child's annual physical examination with their pediatrician. If you would like to opt out of this screening, if your child has had this screening with their healthcare provider, please let us know in writing, no later than January 28th. 

We will conduct our postural screenings on February 2nd -4th.

It is important to note that on the day of screening, the screenings will be conducted ensuring the privacy of our students. We ask that female students wear or bring a bathing suit top on the day of the screening; sports bras may cover the scapula and obscure the visualization of the spine and therefore are not optimal. Males will be asked to remove their shirt to ensure appropriate visualization of the bare back to properly see the curves of the spine. If your child is not comfortable participating in this screening during the school day, you may decline the screening by contacting the school nurse. We recommend, in this case, contacting your health care provider to ensure they are screened at their annual physical. 

Please note that your student has the right to refuse screening on the day of assessments.  If you wish for them to have the screening completed please make sure you talk to them ahead of time. 

Please call your school nurse with any questions,

Sincerely,

Your McCarthy School Nurses

Nurse Maeghan and Nurse Clancy