UPDATE: Scoliosis Screening At HMS Has Some Parents Outraged

Parents say they did not consent to their child's shirt being removed for a scoliosis screening.

A social media post from September 15, 2021, called into question a health screening performed on sixth grade students at the Harrison Middle School. A post in the Facebook group called “The Harrison Daily Gossip Column” said, “Some parents are saying No consent forms were even sent out for these testings. Others state they believe they signed a consent at the beginning of the y[ea]r for eye and hearing exams but, are not sure about this specific testing but, they damn sure did not sign anything to have their child’s clothing removed.”

The parents main concern was the children being asked to remove their shirt for a scoliosis screening. The post also states that when contacted school personnel were not able to immediately disclose who had done the screening or who authorized it.

               Dr. Stewart Pratt, Superintendent of Harrison Schools, confirmed that the screening took place and that it was part of a regular, annual screening  done at the school. Pratt said that "All components of the screenings were conducted by RN or LPN nurses. All screening personnel are employed by the district except one RN nurse who has been contacted by the district in past years to assist in Harrison School health screenings. All screening personnel were female...no males are involved in any grade level screenings since I have been at Harrison." 

 Dr. Pratt acknowledged that the district should have done a better job communicating with parents beforehand about what the screening would entail. Students were taken into a private room where Dr. Pratt said, “Some students were nervous and anxious and got emotional during the process.”

Dr. Pratt said the district is going to learn from their mistake and they have already sent home two letters apologizing to parents about the lack of communication and acknowledging the district was wrong in the way they went about it. A second letter was sent letting parents know when the next screening for their child would take place.

Letters will be sent home with eighth students to inform parents that their children will be assessed in the same manner as part of the annual screening next week.

This story was updated to include the words of Dr. Stewart Pratt in bold after it was posted.