Health Screenings

Highland Park Independent School District school nurses will perform age-appropriate health screenings (hearing, vision and spinal screenings) as designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

 

The Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children is a state-mandated program that helps assess children who may be at high risk to develop type 2 diabetes. This assessment is conducted by certified individuals in public and private schools during vision/hearing and scoliosis screenings. Students are assessed for high insulin levels by evaluating the presence of a skin marker known as Acanthosis Nigricans. Children who are identified with the marker are also assessed for body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. The Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children is an important program because it can help identify children who have these risk factors, all of which can increase the possibility for children to develop type 2 diabetes. Click on the link below for more information on this program. 

 

The results of these screenings may indicate that your child requires diagnostic evaluation beyond school capabilities. The school nurse will send a referral letter to the parents of students that require further evaluation by a licensed health care provider. If you do not wish to have your child screened, please let your school nurse know and complete the opt-out form below. You may substitute a professional examination by a licensed health care provider of your choice. Please contact your school nurse for further instructions.