All Pendleton School District students ages kindergarten through fifth grade will have their vision checked on November 17 and 18 during the district’s annual Vision Screening event. Students at the PELC, McKay Creek, Sherwood Heights, Washington and Sunridge Middle School will be screened.  SMS students will be screened on November 19.

According to Matt Yoshioka, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, the screenings are a partnership with Lions Club and the Oregon Department of Education, who help cover the cost of the screenings, which is usually between $3.50 and $4.00 per student. A team of trained screeners from the Portland area and volunteers from the local Lions Club.

The purpose of the event is to check for vision issues which may impede learning, help students get a full exam and glasses if needed through local offices and check for any more serious eye health issues. It is also a state law for schools to do a variety of student health screenings, including vision. “Doing the screenings at school can help ensure all students have equal access, ensure parents are notified if anything of concern is found and help connect to resources to
help them get the vision care they need,” Yoshioka said.

For more information, please contact your student’s school.