A public campaign to boost student learning in St. Paul is being expanded to take into account student eyesight issues, as well.
The St. Paul Public Schools Foundation announced Thursday that 40 students at Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet, 1290 Arcade St., will undergo vision screening Monday as part of an initiative dubbed See St. Paul.
"Uncorrected vision problems may impact a child's performance in school and their overall quality of life," Mike Anderson, the foundation's executive director, said in a news release. "Studies have shown that vision is the top health disparity contributing to gaps in student achievement."
The initiative follows the launch last month of Succeed St. Paul, a broader three-year campaign aimed at bolstering the ranks of mentors and tutors, and helping teachers put innovative ideas into action.
See St. Paul is a partnership of the St. Paul Public Schools Foundation, the St. Paul Public Schools and the Phillips Eye Institute Foundation.
The group hopes to raise $500,000 to cover eye screenings and follow-up care over the next 10 years.
Screenings also are planned next month at Battle Creek and Four Seasons A+ elementary schools.
