Aiden Kiselich, a fourth grader at Ray E. Kilmer Elementary, is experiencing firsthand the impact of generosity from local community organizations.
For Aiden, participating in standard school-based vision screenings has been a challenge due to his limited ability to communicate. “He couldn’t tell us if he had issues with his vision,” said his mother, Melissa Kiselich. But this fall, things changed. Thanks to a new piece of equipment funded by a $3,000 grant, split between the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club and Lions Club International, school staff were able to screen Aiden’s vision and identify concerns that had previously gone unnoticed.
The state-of-the-art tool is called a PlusoptiX Vision Screener, and is perfect for students like Aiden, requiring only a few seconds to capture an image of his eyes. Its engaging sounds and cheerful “face” quickly grab the attention of students, making the screening process smooth and stress-free.
The technology is helping students like Aiden receive the care they need, ensuring that all learners can thrive. “The screening results gave us a starting point to take to his doctor for further testing,” Aiden’s mother shared.
Kristen Thiessen, School Nurse Consultant at RKES and Prairie Winds Elementary, recognized a need within the district and took action by submitting the grant proposals. “We felt there was a need to have our own screener,” Thiessen explained. “The Lions Club International helps us with large preschool screenings, but now we have the ability to screen individual students ourselves … kids who have never been screened before, which is helping correct vision concerns at an earlier age,” said Thiessen.
Thiessen can already see what a difference this technology is making, and the school only purchased the tool last July. It’s helping bridge a gap for children who struggle to communicate, ensuring that no student is left behind when it comes to their health and learning.
“Vision impairments in children are common, and uncorrected vision problems can impair child development, lead to behavior problems in the classroom, interfere with early literacy and learning, and lead to permanent vision loss,” Theissen said. “Early detection, treatment, and ongoing care are critical for a student to be successful in school.”
Annie Vandenbussche, a School Nurse Consultant at Palmer Ridge High School, has also witnessed the power of community support. She applied for a grant from the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club to secure an additional Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for the school. Vandenbussche received more than $2,000, turning her goal into a reality to further enhance the school’s emergency preparedness.
“I really believe passionately in having AEDs in the school setting and in our community. Cardiac emergencies can happen to anyone at any age,” said Vandenbussche. “For me, it’s about my background. I was an Air Force nurse. I think long term and like to have a good emergency plan in place.”
Every school in Lewis-Palmer School District 38 has at least one AED on campus, but with the size of Palmer Ridge High School, it was about getting additional resources. The new AED is housed inside the event entrance of the school, near the auditorium.
“I identified that area of our building really needed one. To get from one wing to the other end, it takes about six minutes. I walked it and timed it,” Vandenbussche explained. “That is not ideal for someone having a cardiac arrest. We host community events in our auditorium, and we’ll have upwards of 500-600 people sometimes at an event. We needed this third AED in the building.”
Staff across D38 are trained in how to use an AED, and the district partners with the American Heart Association for CPR and first-aid class training. Vandenbussche’s next step is to meet with principals to ensure they have a cardiac response plan, and that they know where their AED is located and how to use it.
“If we need it, it will save a life. I am very grateful for this donation, and I appreciate them seeing how important this is to Palmer Ridge High School,” said Vandenbussche. “You never know when you’ll be involved in an emergency. We are entrusted with the care of all these kids. We need to exercise our knowledge and have a plan.”
Lewis-Palmer School District 38 thanks the Lions Club International and Tri-Lakes Women’s Club for awarding these grants. The Women’s Club also granted the following requests last spring for a total of more than $12,000.
LPMS Gifted and Talented Department requested funds for hands-on science and engineering robotic sets.
District mental health providers were granted funds for comfort bins to store support items for crisis response in the event of tragedies involving students or staff.
LPMS MTSS/postsecondary purchased armchairs, a couch, stools, and a table and chair set to replace dated and broken furniture.
Transition Services received funds for curriculum and cooking class supplies for students with special needs transitioning to adulthood.
Adaptive P.E. was granted funding for swim lessons for elementary students with special needs.
Counselors at LPMS received funds to purchase work tables, chairs, seating and balance ball stools for students.