Schools
Volunteers Needed: Student Scoliosis Screening at Middle Schools
The Gwinnett County school district, including area schools in Lilburn, are having their annual scoliosis screening soon. Schools need volunteers to help.
Every year, Gwinnett County middle school students get checked for scoliosis through the district's health programs.
In the state's largest school district, it's a enormous venture to take on. That's why schools need volunteers from the community to help with the one-day screening.
Sally Beck, who is organizing the screening at , said screenings like these are common now, but for her and her children, it wasn't something required.
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Ironically, not until a recent doctor's visit did Beck learn that she had scoliosis, which is an abnormal curve in the spine.
"A lot of people have it, but something can be done if they're young enough," she said.
Find out what's happening in Lilburn-Mountain Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Hence, the mandatory middle school screening. Lilburn Middle School will hold its screening on Sept. 7
The biggest need is volunteers. Here's a brief Q&A on the screening and how you can help.
Question: How many students will be tested?
Answer: More than 1,000 students in sixth and eighth grades at Lilburn Middle School will be tested.
Q: Where is the screening?
A. The scoliosis screening will be held inside the school's gym.
Q: Why does the school need volunteers?
A. Volunteers will be needed to check students for scoliosis, however they will only do visual checks.
Q: Will the volunteers get training, lunch?
A: Yes, volunteers will be briefed about what to look for, and how to talk to students. They must arrive at 11:30 for the 20-minute training. Lunch will be provided at 12 p.m. by the school cafeteria.
Q: What if the volunteers believes a student has scoliosis?
A: A trained nurse will do another check to determine that for sure.
Q: How long will volunteers be needed for?
Sixth graders begin the testing at 12:30 p.m., and eighth graders begin the testing about 2:30 p.m. The entire screening should end by about 4 p.m.
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For more information about helping at , contact Sally Beck at 678-380-7221 by the end of August. To help at the annual scoliosis screening elsewhere in Gwinnett County, contact your local school.
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