I ran across a number of articles, lists and stories as looked to put together something a bit differentthan most others participating in the Active Rain Back-to-School Contest. What did I find?
Well, I checked out Palmetto Elementary School and their information. Why Palmetto? Firstly because I have a family friend that retired from teaching yet went back to work to help there- but secondly because the school lies within the shadow of our Orange County Corrections Department.
Yes, that Orange County Corrections Department. With perhaps the most famous acquitted child murdererin U.S. history now gone, it's a shocker that the school's even open. But yes, it's true- Palmetto is open along with our other local schools. Palmetto, though, must be ready to serve a student population where poor children numbering twice the Florida average comprise it's ranks- and where test scores are typically lower than sister schools by a good margin.
Palmetto has some good kids and some great teachers. The teachers have lesson plans in hand. Their blackboards spell out their names, and tonight's homework assignment is there in the upper-right corner.
You have to SEE it to READ it... If your child has great vision, congratulations. Help spread the word about vision testing- so that other kids less fortunate (in more ways than one) might see their way to a successful school year.
Why it is important to have your child's eyes tested
Undetected vision problems can be a serious barrier to learning. Poorly developed vision skills make learning difficult and stressful often resulting in reading avoidance, difficulty with comprehension, short attention spans and misbehavior in the classroom.
Although schools screen students with the basic Snelling test for 20/20 vision at a distance, this typically detects only 5% of all vision problems. Because vision may change frequently during the schools years, a child should receive an eye examination at least once every two years or more frequently if specific problems exist. Detecting vision problems early can make a difference in future success in school, work and life.
Florida statute requires vision screening at a minimum to students in grades K, 1, 3 and 6 and students entering Florida schools for the first time in grades K through 5. In Orange County, the Health Department coordinates the vision screenings in our schools by providing dates and training for designated school personnel.
"Now that I can see, I can dream!"
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