Pupils learn about eye safety

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TORONTO - Pupils in kindergarten though second grade at S.C. Dennis School recently learned about eye safety from a visiting optometrist.

Dr. Christopher Long of Steubenville visited the school Nov. 19 and presented Realeyes, an eyesight safety program geared toward the learning abilities of each grade level, according to Patti Quinn, school principal.

"The kindergarten program discussed the importance of eye safety and the different measures that we should take to protect our eyes such as wearing sunglasses, safety goggles and helmets during sports," said Quinn. "The children were able to ask questions and were tested on their knowledge of the different parts of the eye such as the iris and pupils."

First- and second-graders enjoyed a movie teaching them the importance of eye exams and visiting an optometrist, said Quinn. Pupils also practiced tongue twisters to help them learn the difference between far-sightedness and near-sightedness, Quinn added.

"Pupils really enjoyed an interactive activity that involved them seeing each other's eyes constrict with light," Quinn said. "This is a program that S.C. Dennis offers bi-annually. It's provided to school-age children through the Save Our Sight program and donations made when drivers renew their driver's licenses."

"I think that it's wonderful that Dr. Long is so willing to teach pupils about the importance of proper eye care and safety," said Katie Long, district nurse. "What a wonderful asset he is to have in our community. It's also great that drivers get to see where their donations are going when they donate to the Save Our Sight Fund at their local bureau of motor vehicles. We donate when renewing our licenses and that helps promote and create wonderful programs like this."

Quinn said pupils responded positively to the presentation from the physician.

"The kindergarten pupils really responded well to the new change in curriculum this year," she said. "The new change brought about a more hands-on approach for pupils learning the importance of eye safety.

"We did this program two years ago in our building, and it was such a success that we couldn't wait to bring the program and Dr. Long back again this year," Quinn continued. "Our pupils really look forward to this program."

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)