Berg thought it was a great opportunity for her students to learn about the importance of eye health and to meet a local community helper.

“School-community relationships are so important; it was great to see my student’s make meaningful connections with Dr. Senn,” she said.

Senn, a recent graduate from Puerto Rico’s Inter American University of Puerto Rico, read a story, completed a lesson about the different parts of the eye and emphasized the importance of eye health. Then, students engaged in different eye-related activities such as using Play-Doh to fill in the iris of the eye, role playing being an eye doctor/patient, practicing addition with googly eyes, designing their own glasses, collecting data on the class’ eye colors, and writing about their experience with the eye doctor.

Senn also completed a brief eye exam with each student and let every student choose a pair of sunglasses to take home with them. Dr. Senn was mentored by the late Dr. Timothy Grace, whose memory is honored through the Chautauqua Blind Association’s Sight For Success Program. The program has been an incredible resource/opportunity for students. The Sight For Success Program is available for families in need of financial assistance to ensure that children have equal access to eye care, including glasses. You can find more information at chautauquablind.org/ways-to-give/sight-for-success.

Bush Elementary School kindergartner, Jacob Morales, received an eye exam with Dr. Senn.

“Vision screening for children in their elementary years is vitally important,” Senn said. “Sometimes children have no idea that they might have a visual dysfunction, or are in need of glasses. The Chautauqua Blind Association does a great job screening elementary age students, and will make a referral to an eye care professional if needed. Visual health is important at all ages, and especially so in a child’s school years to give them the best opportunity to learn in the classroom. For me, I love contributing my time to the community. My visit to Miss Berg’s kindergarten classroom is a unique opportunity to teach about eye health to an especially eager group of learners.”

Berg said children loved the visit.

“I thought the visit was a huge hit!” Berg said. “Students were engaged and eager to participate in an eye exam with Dr. Senn. Going to the doctor is not always a favored activity for younger students. Dr. Senn’s visit not only taught students the importance of their eye health, but also how fun seeing the eye doctor can be. This partnership is something that Dr. Senn and I plan to continue with future students.”

Bush Elementary School kindergartners show off their new sunglasses given to them during a visit by local optometrist, Dr. Hayden Senn from Chautauqua Eyecare. Submitted photos