CCSD59 is proud to share the success of a recent staff and community partnership that provided free eye exams and glasses to students at Juliette Low Elementary School. This heartwarming collaboration involved the dedicated efforts of Juliette Low’s school nurse, Lauren Szlaga, and Juliette Low parent and eye doctor, Dr. Nimisa Bhave. Their combined efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of many students, enhancing both their vision and their educational experience.

Dr. Bhave, a devoted school parent and local eye doctor, teamed up with her colleagues and local businesses to organize a free vision clinic for students. Dr. Bhave’s office graciously conducted the eye exams at no cost and allowed students to choose their preferred frames.

Nurse Szlaga played a crucial role in this endeavor. She coordinated with families to identify students in need of vision correction and organized the event to ensure everything ran smoothly. Her dedication to student health and well-being is truly commendable.

“I am proud that we are able to help our students by providing these exams and giving them a tool that can improve their quality of life and education,” said Nurse Szlaga. “I am also so proud to belong to a community where we have members stepping up and helping our own.”

Nurse Szlaga emphasized the importance of vision care for students, noting, “I want our community to know that even though our eyes are small organs, they are extremely important. Poor eyesight affects education. A student who cannot see may have issues with reading, seeing colors, being aware of their proximity to objects or people around them, to name a few. If a young person has an underlying vision issue that is not corrected, it could get worse over time. This is the reason we perform the state-required screenings in schools, so that if there is an issue it can hopefully be corrected in a timely manner.”

Dr. Bhave echoed these sentiments, expressing her joy in making a difference for the students. “I am so proud of seeing the impact on the students, from when they come in for their appointment to being able to pick out a frame they want, to dispensing the glasses and seeing the smile on their faces,” she said. Dr. Bhave also highlighted the program’s potential for growth, stating, “Our office and Nurse Lauren are here to help. Our goal is to expand this program to help other students within our community.”

The successful partnership between Nurse Szlaga, Dr. Bhave, and local businesses exemplifies the spirit of community and the positive outcomes that arise when we work together for the betterment of our students. CCSD59 is immensely grateful for their contributions and looks forward to continuing this opportunity to support even more students in the future.