Scoliosis screening is required for all students in grades 6 and 8 who attend public school in Georgia. The screening is done yearly in the middle school grades as required by State Law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-772), Department of Community Health, and State Department of Education guidelines.
Northbrook Middle School will support scoliosis screening on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. You may opt out of scoliosis screening for your student by signing and returning the #4400 form by Monday, October 14, 2024.
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. About 3% of children are affected by scoliosis. It can occur at any age but is often noticeable between the ages of 9 and 16, when growth occurs rapidly. Early detection is important to avoid potentially serious problems later in life if a spinal curve is not recognized, treated, and it continues to progress. The screening test is an observation of the child’s back when standing and bending forward.
The procedure for screening is a simple observation test in which the screener looks at the child’s back in the standing position and the forward bending position. Boys and girls are screened separately. Your child will be asked to remove their shirt. Girls should wear a sports bra or bathing suit top. Accurate screening cannot be performed if girls are wearing camisoles.
If your child has a suspected abnormal curvature, you will be notified by letter from the Gwinnett County Health Department of the results and the need for further follow-up screening either by the Health Department or private physician. If your child is absent on the day of screening, please contact your local health department or private physician for scoliosis screening.
If you DO NOT want your child screened for scoliosis, complete the #4400 opt-out form. Scoliosis Opt-Out Form #4400
If you have any questions, please call our Parent Center at 678-407-7179.
