BMI Information

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’.  The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low.  Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination.  A sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health.  Our school has been selected to be part of the survey this year and we will be gathering either all students or a randomly selcted group to obtain BMIs for study purposes. Only summary information is used.  No names and no information about individual students are ever attached to the info.  However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report.

The information sent to the New York State Department of Health and/or grants will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier.

If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the Health Department’s survey or as part of info used for grants etc., please fill out the opt out form below and return it to the school nurse before January 4, 2020.