VISION AND HEARING SCREENING

Screenings is an essential component of preventative health care in the school setting. Washington State law (WAC 246-760) requires schools to conduct auditory and visual screenings of children each year. All students in kindergarten through 3rd grade, 5th, and 7th grade are screened. Any students who meet any of the following criteria are also screened:

• New to the Bremerton School District
• Students receiving Special Education services
• Screening requested by parent, guardian, or staff

If your child is not scheduled to be screened this year, you may request a screening by contacting your child’s teacher or emailing the Health Services Department. Please include your child’s name, school, grade, teacher, and any concerns you may have.

Parents who DO NOT want their child screened for either vision and/or hearing will need to send a letter to their child’s school each year indicating their child is to be excluded. Please contact the Health Services office at 360-473-1073 if you have any questions. 

Evaluation by an eye care or hearing specialist is recommended for students who do not pass their vision or hearing screenings.  If you have any questions regarding the results of your child’s screening, please contact the school nurse at your child’s school.

Vision Screening

Vision screening is done using a Snellen E chart or standard Snellen distance acuity chart. Students who wear corrective lenses are screened with the lenses on, and each eye is tested separately. Visual acuity of 20/30 or better in each eye is considered passing.  Parents are informed by mail if their child does not pass the screening.

On request, the District will screen for Hyperopia and myopia (farsightedness/nearsightedness) and color blindness using PIPIC Color Vision Plates (Ishihara color Vision Testing).

Hearing Screening

Hearing screening is done using equipment providing tonal stimuli at 1000, 2000, and 4000 hertz (Hz) at hearing level of 20 decibels (dB).  Students who do not pass the hearing test are re-screened at a later date.  Parents are notified by mail if their child does not pass the second screening.

Community Resources

• Bremerton Central Lions Club - They provides glasses and hearing aids assistance
• Violet Sees Free Glasses Program - They assist students who are in need of glasses