On Dec. 3, Licensed School Nurse Beth Anderson was recognized by the Cedar-East Bethel Lions Club for her work with vision screening across the district.
Anderson was surprised with the Lions KidsSight Foundation Sight Saver Award by members of the Lions Club, while school and district staff joined the recognition. The school nurse at Cedar Creek Elementary School, East Bethel Elementary School and preschool, Anderson earned the honor for leading the charge in getting 1,142 elementary students screened across the district this fall. As a result, 127 students had referral letters sent home suggesting a follow-up exam be completed by an eye-care professional. View photos from the surprise visit.
“To me it’s just something I think nurses do on a typical day - to try and make sure the students are prepared to learn,” Anderson said. “The Lions have been instrumental for the vision screening and for making sure we can see as many students as we do. It’s important for the students to be able to see the board, or a video, or any visual instruction so they have the best possible opportunity to learn.”
This year marked the third year the Lions and the district have partnered to provide this screening to all elementary students during the school day. The Cedar-East Bethel Lions are able to offer vouchers to pay for an eye exam. To learn more, families can contact the nurse at their child’s school for more information.
The Cedar-East Bethel Lions Club is proud partners of district schools and have donated money for book vending machines and have a scholarship for St. Francis High School graduates, to name a few of the club’s contributions.
More about KidSight
Lions KidSight MD5M is a nationwide program that safeguards the vision of children 6 months through 6 years. According to educational experts, 80% of learning is visual. So if children can't see well, it is much more difficult for them to learn efficiently. Yet most young children don't get their vision screened until they have problems learning or paying attention in school. By then, it may already be too late. Unless vision problems are detected early and corrected, they risk becoming permanent by age 7. Learn more at www.lionskidsightusa.org.