The goal of health screening within a school setting is to detect possible health problems early. Early identification and correction of deficits will enable students to maximize their educational opportunities during the school year. The district health staff will perform the following state-required health screenings. If you do not wish the district health staff to perform the screenings, you may substitute a professional examination by a health care provider of your choice. Please contact your campus nurse for further instructions.

The screening program and referral process is not diagnostic. The results of these screenings may indicate that your child needs diagnostic evaluation to a health care provider. Referrals to physicians are made as needed. Parents are urged to obtain appropriate medical care following a school screening referral.  If you do not have insurance or cannot afford care, your campus nurse may be able to assist you with referrals for free or affordable care.

Health Screenings
Texas law requires schools to conduct hearing, vision, spinal, and Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) screenings to help identify potential health concerns early.  New legislation now requires parent to opt in for these screenings. Required grades for Vision and Hearing screening are: PK, K, 1, 3, 5, and 7. Required grades for Spinal screenings are: 5th and 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys. In addition to these required grades, all new to district students are required to be screened for vision and hearing regardless of grade. Some students may need to be screened during the year for special programs like special education as well as a concern for vision or hearing in the classroom. We are requesting that all parents complete the consent for screening regardless of grade. Your child will only be screened if they fall in one of the above categories.  Parents will be notified of any screenings that are not passed for follow up care referrals.

Please complete the consent for health screenings at the link or scan the QR code to complete.

Please reach out to your campus nurse for any questions or concerns.

Vision and Hearing Screening
These screenings are required for students in Pre-k, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades, as well as all students who are new to Hays CISD.

Scoliosis (spinal) Screening
In order to identify unnatural curvatures of the spine, this screening is required for girls two times, once at age 10 (of fall semester of grade 5) and again at age 12 (or fall semester of grade 7). It is required for boys one time at age 13 or 14 (or in the fall semester grade 8).

Acanthosis Nigricans Screening
The 77th Texas Legislature passed legislation requiring school districts to screen students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades for Acanthosis Nigricans (AN).  AN is a skin marker which may indicate pre-diabetes. AN is a light brown or black, velvety, rough, or thickened area or "marker" on the surface of the skin (usually on the neck)., The presence of AN may signal high insulin levels, which puts a person at risk for stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.