Van Wert County General Health District
Proud to Serve the Residents of Van Wert City & Van Wert County.
en English
zh-CN Chinese (Simplified)en Englishes Spanish
(419) 238-0808

School Environments

  1. Home
  3. Environmental Health
  5. School Environments

School Health

The Van Wert County Public Health Nurses along with assistance from the School Nurses do annual screenings in the fall at some of the schools in Van Wert County.

The following is a list of the screenings and at which grade they are done.  Any child that a teacher refers is also checked regardless of their grade.

 

Screening

Hearing
Tympanogram
Vision
Color Vision
Weight
Hieght
Scoliosis

Grade Level

K, 1, 3, 4, 8
K, 1
K, 1, 3, 5, 7
K (males)
K – 8
K – 8
6, 7, 8

  • Spinal curvature is best dealt with when a young person’s body is still growing and can respond to one or more combinations of treatments (body brace, electro stimulation, etc.)  Mild cases may not need treatment, but just monitored.
  • One in 10 persons will have scoliosis. 2-3 persons in every 1000 will need active treatment for a progressive condition. In 1 out of every 1000 cases surgery may be necessary.
  • Scoliosis is a sideways curving of the spine.
  • One in 10 persons will have scoliosis. 2-3 persons in every 1000 will need active treatment for a progressive condition. In 1 out of every 1000 cases surgery may be necessary.
  • Frequent signs are a prominent shoulder blade, uneven hip and shoulder levels, unequal balance between arms and body and clothes that do not “hang right”.
  • Kyphosis (round back) may occur in developing adolescents. It should be screened for and may need to be treated.
  • An annual 30-second screening for scoliosis and kyphosis (which is what we do in the schools for 6th-8th grade) during the bone-growing years can make the difference between a preventable condition and a disability in adult years.

More information or questions:
For questions on our School Health Program, email our

School Environment Inspections

The Van Wert County Health Department conducts basic safety and sanitation inspections at all county schools twice per school year.  These inspections are conducted according to guidance from the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Environmental Health Association. Previously, the inspections were based upon regulations known as Jarod’s Law, which was rescinded on October 16, 2009.

Since Jarod’s Law was repealed, any findings during the inspections are recommendations for the schools.

Schools are encouraged to check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website at www.cpsc.gov for recalled products.  We are also encouraging schools to continue to remove products and chemicals that are dangerous to students.  The Ohio Department of Health’s website contains a multitude of resources available to schools that can help them to ensure a safe and healthy environment for students.