Vision and Hearing

Texas law mandates vision and hearing screening for students in EE, PK, K, 01, 03, 05 and 07 as well as students in other grades who are new to GCISD. Vision and hearing screenings are conducted in the fall or within 120 days of a student’s enrollment in GCISD. Parents of students who fail two vision screenings or two hearing screenings will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by an eye doctor, audiologist, or physician. For more information please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Spinal Screening

Texas Law Changes to Spinal Screening Law (HB 1076):
Texas law mandates spinal screening for students. Girls will be screened two times, once at age 10 and again at age 12. Boys will be screened one time at age 13 or 14. Spinal screening will be conducted throughout the year according to your child's birthday. If you do not want your child to be screened at school, a physician statement of screening results, or an reason of conscience affidavit (English / Spanish) will need to be on file in the clinic prior to your child's birthday.
This is done in a private environment by school nurses. Parents of students who have positive findings will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by a physician. 

The purpose of spinal screening is to detect the signs of abnormal curves of the spine at their earliest stages so that the need for treatment can be determined. Scoliosis, a common spinal abnormality found in adolescents, is a sideways twisting of the spine. It is usually detected in children between ten and fourteen years of age. Kyphosis, sometimes called round back, is an exaggerated rounding of the upper back and is often confused with poor posture. Many cases of curvature of the spine are mild and require only ongoing observation by a physician when they are first diagnosed. Others can worsen with time as the child grows and require active treatment such as bracing or surgery. Early treatment can prevent the development of a severe deformity, which can affect a person’s health and appearance.

Acanthosis Nigricans (AN)

Texas law mandates this screening for students in grades 01, 03, 05 and 07 in conjunction with the vision and hearing screenings. If an AN marker is noted, the student will have blood pressure, height and weighted measured individually in a private setting at a later date. Parents of students who have positive findings will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by a physician. 

The purpose of the screening is to detect a linear, darkened skin color change that usually appears on the back of the neck. This marker is called Acanthosis Nigricans and is caused by too much insulin in the blood. It is a pre-diabetic condition and serves as an indicator of risk for Type 2 diabetes. Acanthosis Nigricans is usually seen during the pre-adolescence and adolescence years.

If you have any questions about screenings or your child’s results, please contact the school nurse on your child’s campus. Results of the screenings may be viewed through Skyward Family Access.