The BMI screenings that will be taking place with Nurse Rose
soon come from a Massachusetts General Law that mandates schools provide health
screenings for students (M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 57 and 105 CMR 200.000).
Regulations requiring BMI screening for students in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10 (or
of comparable age) were implemented by the state for all public school
districts about 7 years ago.
The purpose is to provide information that
families may need to support their child’s health as well as provide the state
ongoing data about health trends of children in the state to inform their work
as well. The information reported by the schools helps MA Department of Public Health target necessary areas of education and resources.
Although we are required by state law to perform these
screenings, families always have the option to opt-out (as it is written into
the regulations as well!)
If you are curious to learn more, please feel free to check
out the guidelines here: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/com-health/school/bmi-screening-guidelines-for-schools.pdf
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