Dear Parents/Guardians,
In order to support student health and academic success, our school will conduct Vision, Hearing, Spinal, and Type 2 Diabetes screenings for students in the grade levels required by Texas law, which include:
Vision - Kinder, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and NEW students
Hearing - Kinder, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and NEW students
Spinal - 5th & 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys
Acanthosis - 1st , 3rd, 5th, 7th
Under Texas Senate Bill 12 (SB 12), parents and guardians have the right to withhold or decline consent for school-provided health-related services, including these screenings. If you declined screenings for your child upon enrollment, you will be notified via email and given the opportunity to opt-in to screenings.
Please note that recent guidance related to SB 12 indicates that parents who decline school screenings are not required to provide proof of screening completed elsewhere or submit a religious exemption affidavit. Families may choose to provide documentation of screenings completed by a healthcare provider, but it is not required.
Screenings help identify potential health concerns that may affect a student's learning, development, and overall well-being. If a screening indicates the need for further evaluation, parents will be notified and encouraged to follow up with their healthcare provider.
If you have questions regarding the screening process or your consent options, please contact the school health office at nurse.northaustin@valoreducation.org.
Thank you for your partnership in supporting the health and success of our students.
Aubrey Laws
REGISTERED NURSE