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5000.1T (R)
SERIES 5000 C-19: STUDENTS
This regulation supersedes existing regulation 5141.3 Health Assessments, Screenings
and Immunizations.
This regulation will be reevaluated by the Board of Education post-pandemic.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS REGARDING HEALTH ASSESSMENTS/SCREENINGS
AND ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
I. Health Assessments
The Colchester Board of Education (the “Board’) requires each student enrolled in the
Colchester Public Schools (the “District”) to undergo health assessments as mandated
by state law. The purpose of such health assessments shall be to ascertain whether a
student has any physical disability tending to prevent him/her from receiving the full
benefit of school work and to ascertain whether school work should be modified in
order to prevent injury to the student or to secure a suitable program of education for
him/her. Such health assessments must be conducted by one of the following qualified
providers for health assessments: (1) a legally qualified practitioner of medicine; (2) an
advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse, who is licensed under state
statute; (3) a physician assistant, who is licensed under state statute; (4) the school
medical advisor; or (5) a legally qualified practitioner of medicine, an advanced practice
registered nurse or a physician assistant stationed at any military base. The Board will
provide written prior notice of the health assessments required under these
administrative regulations to the parent or guardian of each student subject to
assessment. The parent or guardian shall be provided a reasonable opportunity to be
present during such assessment or he/she may provide for such assessment
him/herself. No health assessment shall be made of any public school student unless it
is made in the presence of the parent or guardian or in the presence of another school
employee. Any student who fails to obtain the health assessments required by these
administrative regulations may be denied continued attendance in the District.
II. Health Assessments Required:
The Board recognizes that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “well” child appointments
(“Health Appointments”) with qualified health care practitioners have been subject to
cancelation and may be limited in availability prior to and during the 2020-2021 school
year. Due to the unavailability of Health Appointments, there may be barriers for a
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ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS Page 1 of 9
student to obtain a required health assessment even if the student’s parents or
guardians make every attempt to schedule the Health Appointment.
The Board is permitted to deny attendance to a student who fails to obtain health
assessments required by law and Board policy. However, during the 2020-2021 school
year given the unavailability of Health Appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Board is prioritizing keeping students in school where possible. The Board
recognizes that being present in the classroom is especially important during the
2020-2021 school year due to the cancellation of classes in the spring of the 2019-2020
school year. Accordingly, the District administration, when appropriate, will work with
parents and guardians to have a Health Appointment scheduled as soon as possible
rather than deny attendance to a student. In addition, as set forth herein, the Board has
provided for temporary flexibility regarding the submission of required health
assessments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to enrollment in the District or as soon as possible thereafter, e ach student must
undergo a health assessment, which shall include:
(a) a physical examination which includes hematocrit or hemoglobin tests,
height, weight, blood pressure, and a chronic disease assessment which shall
include, but not be limited to, asthma. The assessment form shall include (A) a
check box for the provider conducting the assessment, to indicate an asthma
diagnosis, (B) screening questions relating to appropriate public health concerns
to be answered by the parent or guardian, and (C) screening questions to be
answered by such provider;
(b) an updating of immunizations as required by state law;
(c) vision, hearing, speech and gross dental screenings;
(d) such other information, including health and developmental history, as the
physician feels is necessary and appropriate.
The pre-enrollment assessment shall also include tests for tuberculosis, sickle cell
anemia or Cooley’s anemia, and tests for lead levels in the blood if, after consultation
with the school medical advisor and the local health department, the Board determines
that such tests are necessary. Such tests must be conducted by a registered nurse
acting pursuant to the written order of a physician, or physician’s assistant, licensed
under state law, or an advanced practice registered nurse, licensed under state law.
Each student enrolled in the District must undergo a health assessment when entering
Grade 7, which shall include:
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ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS Page 2 of 9
(a) a physical examination which includes hematocrit or hemoglobin tests,
height, weight, blood pressure, and a chronic disease assessment which shall
include, but not be limited to, asthma as defined by the Commissioner of Public
Health pursuant to subsection (c) of section 19a-62a of the Connecticut General
Statutes. The assessment form shall include (A) a check box for the provider
conducting the assessment, to indicate an asthma diagnosis, (B) screening
questions relating to appropriate public health concerns to be answered by the
parent or guardian, and (C) screening questions to be answered by such
provider;
(b) an updating of immunizations as required by state law;
(c) vision, hearing, postural and gross dental screenings;
(d) such other information, including health and developmental history, as the
physician feels is necessary and appropriate.
The grade six/seven and grade nine/ten assessments shall also include tests for
tuberculosis and sickle cell anemia or Cooley’s anemia if, after consultation with the
school medical advisor and the local health department, the Board determines that such
tests are necessary. Such tests must be conducted by a registered nurse acting pursuant
to the written order of a physician, or physician’s assistant, licensed under state law, or
of an advanced practice registered nurse, licensed under state law.
The Board of Education shall provide such assessments free of charge to students whose
parents or guardians meet the eligibility requirements for free and reduced price meals
under the National School Lunch Program or for free milk under the special milk
program.
III. Oral Health Assessments:
A. Prior to enrollment in the District or as soon as possible thereafter, in grade 7
and in grade 10, the Board shall request that each student undergo an oral
health assessment. Such oral health assessments must be conducted by one of
the following qualified providers for oral health assessments: (1) a dentist
licensed under state law; (2) a dental hygienist licensed under state law; (3) a
legally qualified practitioner of medicine trained in conducting oral health
assessments as a part of a training program approved by the Commissioner of
Public Health; (4) a physician assistant licensed under state law and trained in
conducting oral health assessments as part of a training program approved by
the Commissioner of Public Health; or (5) an advanced practice registered nurse
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ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS Page 3 of 9
licensed under state statute and trained in conducting oral health assessments
as part of a training program approved by the Commissioner of Public Health.
B. The oral health assessment identified in subsection A above shall include a
dental examination by a dentist, or a visual screening and risk assessment for
oral health conditions by a dental hygienist, legally qualified practitioner of
medicine, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse. The
assessment form shall include a check box for the qualified provider conducting
the assessment to indicate any low, moderate or high risk factors associated
with any dental or orthodontic appliance, saliva, gingival condition, visible
plaque, tooth demineralization, carious lesions, restorations, pain, swelling or
trauma.
C. No oral health assessment shall be made of any public school student unless
the parent or guardian of the student consents to such assessment and such
assessment is made in the presence of the parent or guardian or in the presence
of another school employee. The parent or guardian shall be provided with prior
written notice of an oral health assessment and be provided with a reasonable
opportunity to opt his/her child out of such assessment or may provide for such
oral health assessment him or herself.
D. If the Board of Education hosts a free oral health assessment event where
qualified providers (identified in subsection A above) perform oral health
assessments of children attending a public school, the Board shall notify the
parents and guardians of such children of the event in advance and provide an
opportunity for parents and guardians to opt their child(ren) out of such event.
The Board shall infer parent/guardian consent for each child whose parent or
guardian did not opt him or her out of the free oral health assessment event and
shall provide such child with a free oral health assessment; however, such child
shall not receive dental treatment of any kind unless the child’s parent or
guardian provides informed consent for such treatment.
E. Any student who fails to obtain an oral health assessment requested by the
Board shall not be denied enrollment or continued attendance in the District.
IV. Screenings Required:
The Board will provide annually to each student enrolled in kindergarten and grades one
and three to five, inclusive, a vision screening using a Snellen chart or equivalent
screening device, such as an automated vision screening device. The Superintendent
shall give written notice to the parent or guardian of each student (1) who is found to
have any defect of vision or disease of the eyes, with a brief statement describing the
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ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS Page 4 of 9
defect or disease and a recommendation that the student be examined by an
optometrist or ophthalmologist licensed pursuant to state law, and (2) who did not
receive such vision screening, with a brief statement explaining why such pupil did not
receive such vision screening.
The Board will provide annually to each student enrolled in kindergarten and grades one
and three through five, inclusive, audiometric screening for hearing. The Superintendent
shall give written notice to the parent or guardian of each student (1) who is found to
have any impairment or defect of hearing, with a brief statement describing the
impairment or defect, and (2) who did not receive an audiometric screening for hearing,
with a brief statement explaining why such student did not receive an audiometric
screening for hearing.
The Board will provide postural screenings for (1) each female student in grades five and
seven, and (2) each male student in grade eight or nine. The Superintendent shall give
written notice to the parent or guardian of each student (A) who evidences any postural
problem, with a brief statement describing such evidence, and (B) who did not receive a
postural screening, with a brief statement explaining why such student did not receive
such postural screening.
All of the screenings required under these administrative regulations will be performed
in accordance with regulations applicable to such screenings as adopted by the State
Board of Education.
V. Assessment/Screening Results:
The results of each assessment and screening required or requested by these
administrative regulations shall be recorded on forms supplied by the State Board of
Education. Each qualified provider performing health assessments or oral health
assessments under these administrative regulations shall sign each form and any
recommendations concerning a student shall be in writing. Assessment/screening
forms shall be included in the cumulative health record of each student and they shall
be kept on file in the school attended by the student. If a student transfers to another
school district in Connecticut, his/her original cumulative health record shall be sent to
the chief administrative officer of the new school district and a true copy retained by
the Board. For a student leaving Connecticut, a copy of the records, if requested, should
be sent and the original maintained.
Appropriate school health personnel shall review the results of each assessment and
screening. If the reviewing school health personnel judge that a student is in need of
further testing or treatment, the Superintendent shall give written notice to the parent
or guardian of such student and shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that such
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ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS Page 5 of 9
further testing or treatment is provided. Reasonable efforts shall include determination
of whether the parent or guardian has obtained the necessary testing or treatment for
the student, and, if not, advising the parent or guardian how such testing or treatment
may be obtained. The results of such further testing or treatment shall be recorded,
kept on file and reviewed by appropriate school health personnel in the same manner as
the results of the health assessments and screenings required or requested under these
administrative regulations.
The district shall report to the local health department and the Department of Public
Health, on a triennial basis, the total number of children per school and on a
district-wide basis having a diagnosis of asthma (1) at the time of public school
enrollment, (2) in grade six or seven, and (3) in grade ten or eleven. The report shall
contain the asthma information collected as required under Section II of this Policy and
shall include information regarding each diagnosed child’s age, gender, race, ethnicity
and school.
VI. Exemption
Nothing in these administrative regulations shall be construed to require any student to
undergo a physical or medical examination or treatment, or be compelled to receive
medical instruction, if the parent or legal guardian of such student or the student, if
he/she is an emancipated minor or is eighteen (18) years of age or older, notifies the
teacher or principal or other person in charge of such student in writing that he/she
objects on religious grounds to such physical or medical examination or treatment or
medical instruction.
VII. Other Non-Emergency Invasive Physical Examinations and Screenings:
A. In addition to the screenings listed above, the district may, from time to time,
require students to undergo additional non-emergency, invasive physical
examination(s)/screening(s).
B. A non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening is defined as:
1. any medical examination that involves the exposure of private body
parts; or
2. any act during such examination that includes incision, insertion, or
injection into the body, but does not include a hearing, vision, or scoliosis
screening; and
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3. is required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school and
scheduled by the school in advance; and
4. is not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the
student, or of other students.
C. If the district elects to conduct any such examinations, then, at the
beginning of the school year, the administration shall give direct notice to
parents of affected students of the district's intent to conduct the
non-emergency invasive physical examination(s) and/or screening(s) described in
this subsection. Such notice shall include the specific or approximate dates
during the school year of the administration of such non-emergency invasive
physical examination(s)/screening(s).
D. Upon request, the administration shall permit parents or students over the
age of eighteen (18) (or emancipated minors) to opt out of participation in the
non-emergency invasive physical examination(s)/screening(s) described in this
subparagraph.
VIII. School Representative to Receive Information Concerning Health Assessments:
The Board designates the Director of Pupil Services and Special Education as the
representative for receipt of reports from health care providers concerning
student health assessments and oral health assessments.
Legal References:
Connecticut General Statutes
§ 10-206 Health assessments
§ 10-206a Free health assessments
§ 10-208 Exemption from examination or treatment
§ 10-214 Vision, audiometric and postural screenings: When required;
notification of parents re defects; record of results
Public Act 18-168, “An Act Concerning the Department of Public Health’s
Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes,” Sections
8, 80 and 81.
State of Connecticut Department of Education, Bureau of Health/Nutrition, Family
Services and Adult Education, Cumulative Health Records Guidelines (Revised Jan.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS REGARDING HEALTH ASSESSMENTS/SCREENINGS AND
ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS Page 7 of 9
2012),
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/School-Nursing/Publications/CHR_guidelines.pdf
State of Connecticut Department of Education, Memorandum from Dr. Miguel A.
Cardona, Commissioner of Education, to Superintendents of Schools, regarding “Health
Assessments for 2020-2021 School Year.”
Federal Law:
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student
Succeeds Act, Public Law 114-95, at 20 U.S.C. § 1232h(c)(2)(C)(iii).
TEMPORARY POLICY ADOPTED: August 17, 2020
COLCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Colchester, Connecticut
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ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS Page 8 of 9
SAMPLE: NOTICE OF FREE ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
The Colchester Public Schools (the “District”) shall hold a free oral health assessment event for students
on _____________________ [insert date and time of event] at your student’s school. The oral health
assessment shall consist of [insert one of the following options depending on the professional staffing
the oral health assessment event: (1) a dental examination by a dentist OR (2) a visual screening and
risk assessment for oral health conditions by a dental hygienist, legally qualified practitioner of
medicine, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.] The practitioner conducting the
oral health assessment shall indicate any low, moderate or high risk factors associated with any dental or
orthodontic appliance, saliva, gingival condition, visible plaque, tooth demineralization, carious lesions,
restorations, pain, swelling or trauma. No student shall receive dental treatment of any kind as part of
the free oral health assessment event.
This event is free of charge. You may be present during the oral health assessment of your student, if you
so wish. When, based on the results of the assessment and in the judgment of school health personnel,
your student is in need of further testing or treatment, you will be notified by the District.
You may elect for your student not to participate in the free oral health assessment event. If you do not
want your student to participate, you must sign the form below and return that section of the form to
___________________ by ___________________. If you fail to return the form by this date, you have
consented to the free oral health assessment and your student will participate. If your student does not
participate in the school’s event, you will be asked to provide documentation that your student has
received an oral health assessment, in accordance with state law.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the free oral health assessment event, please contact
________________________.
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FREE ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT EVENT - ______________ [insert date of event]
Name of student: __________________________ Student’s Date of Birth: ___________________
Student’s Address: ___________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (print): ________________________________________________________
As the parent/guardian of the above-named student, I elect for my student to not participate in the free
oral health assessment. I understand that I will be asked by school officials to provide documentation that
my student has received an oral health assessment by a qualified professional. I further understand that
this “opt-out” is effective only for the free oral health assessment event being held on the date listed
above.
___________________________________________________________ ______________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
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