When parents don't read carefully

[MHDNURSE]

Where I am, parents have to opt-out of mandated BMI screening. I sent a letter home specifically explaining the screening, what we do with results, confidentiality, etc. At the bottom it says:

If you DO NOT want your child to participate in the BMI screening, please check the box below, sign, and return the form by September 15.

This is clear as day to me. I am getting back signed forms with no student's name, names but no signatures, people crossing out the DO NOT and writing "I do", people not checking the box...completely insane. There is NO WAY I am going back and calling every single parent or re-sending the form. But only 1/4 of the first grade families were clearly opting out, so now what?

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

Then you screen the other 3/4 and when parents throw a fit explain the problem with the forms and they'll know better next time.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

We tend to just make parents have to do a pro-active "opt out", i.e. we send a letter letting them know when screening is going to be, directing them to send a note if they don't want their child to participate. (No response = screening the child)

[OldDude]

If this is a mandated screening why are you giving parents the option to opt out? Do you do the same for vision/hearing screening? I'm not talking to you specifically but about your district policy or whoever makes such decisions.

[MHDNURSE]

If this is a mandated screening why are you giving parents the option to opt out? Do you do the same for vision/hearing screening? I'm not talking to you specifically but about your district policy or whoever makes such decisions.

In our state, it's an automatic unless you opt out, so we have to give the parents a chance to opt out. Last year, I proactively had all families sign allowing for all our screenings, and then learned at our state's mandated screening training, that we aren't allowed to do that. Parents must get a letter home regarding each screening with a chance to opt out. It's completely ridiculous that the state makes things way more complicated for everything.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

Do we work for the same district? Parents do this with us as well. It clearly in big bold letters says to sign if you DO NOT want the screening. And like you, I am not calling two dozen parents. Happens every year.

I get it, it's confusing, why would you sign if you DON'T want something...But c'mon, just read it before you sign it. Ugh.

[Windchaser22]

In several districts around here the screening and opt out language is posted on-line and/or in a booklet. I don't send any letters nor does my child's school. If a parent wants to opt out, they have to send a letter. No letter=screen and I don't have to track anything. Worth looking into.

[Amethya]

Yeah... parent's don't read anything. The enrollment packet had the medication authorization letter, and it says specificially that the only way I can give ANY medication is if I have either paperwork from the doctor, signature from doctor on letter and the parent's signature as well together. Nope... I got more than 200 letters, blank and just crossed out some things and parents signature. I called some parents and they assumed that if they signed it, it meant I was giving permission to give medications. I had to explain that's not the case.

For my screenings, I just send a letter to let them know what I'm going to do, if they do not consent, they have to give me a letter that says why and such. If they don't give me an answer by then, then I'll do the test either way. They complain, I can prove I sent the letter on this day at this time and they can't say I didn't tell them. I even send monthly newsletters and I tell people 2 weeks and so ahead of time.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

Our medical release form that parents put medical conditions on has a place that says "medications to be given at school_______" with a big bold note below that says "Please note that ALL medications, including over the counter, must have a medication authorization form completed by the doctor." Parents still write "Tylenol and Motrin" and when I call they let me know that they thought that meant medicines I kept here to give them.

NO. Just... read the papers you are signing for the love of Pete.

[Amethya]

I just got a parent who wrote her kid was allergic to pork and said, it was "life threatening" and when I asked her she said he's not allergic to it, it's just a dietary choice they do at home, they don't eat pork. The paper said it was ONLY for legit food allergies.

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]