Required Physical Exams
In accordance with Massachusetts General Law 105CMR 200.00 Section 100, every child registered in Massachusetts public schools must be carefully examined by a physician at intervals of three or four years. A physical exam is required for all Kindergarten, 3rd, 6th, and 9th graders enrolled in Chelmsford Public Schools. Please submit documentation from your health care provider to your school nurse in a timely manner.
All newly enrolled students must submit a physical exam dated from one year prior entrance to public school or within 30 days of school entry.
Students in competitive school athletics must provide annual physical exams prior to sport participation.
School Screenings
Screenings are conducted by Chelmsford Public Schools annually per Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regulation.
Hearing: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10
Scoliosis: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Upon request
Height/Weight: Grades 1, 4, 7, 10
Vision with Stereopsis: Grades * 1, 2, 3 Vision acuity: 4, 5, 7, 10
*Kindergarten:
Upon entering kindergarten or within 30 days of the start of school, the parent/guardian shall present to school, Health Care Provider documentation within the previous 12 months that the child has passed a vision screening.
A parent may send a written request to exclude student from participating in school screenings.
SBIRT
Massachusetts school districts are required to include a substance use preventive screening as part of their annual mandated universal health-screening program. Our district will use the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol with students in grades 7 & 9.
The SBIRT protocol facilitates a one-on-one conversation between each student and a school nurse or counselor in an effort to prevent or at least delay the start of using harmful substances, such as alcohol and marijuana.
This program focuses on reinforcing healthy decisions and addressing concerning behaviors around substance use with the goal of improving health, safety and success in school. We will use the CRAFFT II screening interview, which is the most commonly used substance use screening tool for adolescents in Massachusetts.
All screenings will be conducted in a confidential setting in private one-on-one sessions with a nurse or counselor trained in SBIRT screening.