SBIRT Health Screening
for Grade 9 Students
March 26, 2024
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Starting next week, our school’s health staff will begin a health screening called SBIRT. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. SBIRT is used to screen for alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, and other drug use. This health screening is required by Massachusetts law.
Students in grade 9 will take part in this screening which takes about 5-10 minutes. School health staff will have one-on-one conversations with students. They will ask students about alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, or other drug use over the past year. Staff will then talk with each student about how to support their overall health, safety, and success in school. If the student needs more assessment or support, health staff may work with the student and/or their parent/guardian.
Please note:
- Screening results are recorded. No information that could identify a student is kept (for example, name or date of birth).
- Screening results will not go into the student’s school record.
- Screening results will not be shared without the permission of the student or their parent/guardian. However, results may be shared in the case of immediate medical emergency, or when required by state law.
As with any school health screening, YOU CAN OPT YOUR CHILD OUT OF THIS PROCESS. Students themselves may also choose not to take part. If you do not want your child to participate in this screening, please email or call either Susan Bowen, RN, sbowen@hudson.k12.ma.us, 978-567-6250 ext. 13145 or Pat Emmons, RN, pemmons@hudson.k12.ma.us, 978-567-6250 ext. 13144 before Friday, April 5, 2024.
Parents and guardians can help their children make healthy choices. One important way to prevent alcohol and drug use is to talk with them about your thoughts and expectations. Some resources that can help these discussions include:
Together, schools and parents/guardians CAN make a difference for the youth of Hudson Public Schools.
Jason Medeiros, Principal