In this newsletter:
Vision screening
Recess Before Lunch
School gardens
Dear District 3 residents,
As a former teacher, a mother, and a grandmother, I know this is a special time of year with children going back to school, or starting school for the first time. I have three things on my heart that I want to share with parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers, and really, anyone. Every child should be provided with all of the preparation and tools they will need to be successful in school. Here are a few ideas to help all children have the best opportunity to succeed.
Vision screening
As a teacher, I saw first-hand the changes that vision correction made for many children. Some children are unaware that they even have vision problems. Most schools screen students annually with the basic Snelling test for 20/20 vision at a distance. However, they rarely test for a host of other vision skills such as close vision and tracking. School screenings typically detect only 5 percent of all vision problems. In the average classroom, 20 to 30 percent of students may have a vision problem. Undetected vision problems can be a serious barrier to students learning at their best. A growing body of research indicates that undetected vision problems may be at least partially responsible for behavioral problems as well as academic challenges.
Many kinds of vision problems reveal themselves most easily in behavior, posture and attitude. These signs usually are associated most closely with long periods of visual work done at less than arms length from a childs eyes. Vision problems can be identified by observing a child and marking the following checklist. If you mark more than a few signs, there is good reason to suspect a vision problem.
Does the child:
Squint when looking up from reading?
Have trouble seeing the chalkboard?
Frequently blink or rub eyes?
Have headaches while doing school work?
Demonstrate frequent awkwardness, bumping into things, knocking things over?
Hold books extremely close?
Report that things look blurry?
Have trouble copying work from the chalkboard to paper?
Spend a long time doing homework that should take only a few minutes?
Experience reduced attention span, ability to concentrate for only a moderate time?
Cover one eye by leaning on hand?
Lay head on desk when doing pencil work?
Frequently lose place when reading?
Skip or re-read words and lines?
Reverse words or letters (was and saw, b and d) beyond second grade?
Do better at math than English, history or social studies?
Need to re-read material several times to grasp its meaning?
Get tired quickly when reading or doing homework?
Daydream a lot, or stare off into the distance frequently?
Learn best through auditory tactics (listening to learn)?
Have problems with misbehavior (to cover up poor school performance)?
Avoid work that includes reading or near seeing?
Fall more than one year behind his/her group in reading-related skills?
Have poor posture, slouching or slumping in chair?
If several of these symptoms are detected, the child should see an eye doctor. Most vision problems can be detected by an optometrist who tests for visual function as well as eye health and visual acuity. These problems often can be corrected with glasses or eye exercises.
Recess Before Lunch
New research, this time in a recent Montana study, has found that a simple change in scheduling recess before lunch offers significant health and learning improvements for school children. Students who ate lunch after being physically active had a higher nutritional intake, improved attention and behavior in the classroom, and lower disciplinary rates. Specifically, children having lunch after recess ate 35 percent more calcium-rich foods and significantly increased their iron and Vitamin A intake. Students also ate more of their meal overall instead of just the high-fat and protein-rich foods, resulting in improved nutrition and less food waste. Lunchroom discipline problems and referrals to the school nurse dropped significantly.
Students receiving better nutrition are better able to focus on instruction and learning in the classroom. You can help implement this method of improving childrens health and educational experience by encouraging your school to adopt Recess Before Lunch. For more information, go to http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008030499_lunchoped03.html and also see the attached flyer.
School gardens
Another way to get children to eat healthier food is to help them grow their own fruits and vegetables. With the help of volunteers and community resources, many schools are installing their own edible garden spaces to help teach children about science, biology and good nutrition.
One source of support for school projects such as installing garden beds is the Lowes Hardware Toolbox for Education K-12 Grant Program. This program provides funding for school projects that have a permanent impact, such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor) and landscaping/clean-up projects. Proposals that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit are encouraged. Up to $5,000 per school is available, and the deadline to apply for a grant is Oct. 17, 2008. More information and applications are available at www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/Community
I hope you have a great school year!
Sincerely,
Kathy Lambert
District 3
(206) 296-1003