Luke Judge

The state of Iowa continues to ignore the fact that vision screenings in school can prevent many current and future problems for our children. Kids need to see to learn.

Considering that nearly

80 percent of what a child learns the first 12 years of life is through vision, good eyesight is an essential part of a child’s education. so, when a vision problem is overlooked, a child goes through life in a blurry fog, with poor grades and potential behavior issues.

It is disheartening to know that Iowa is one of only 10 states that does not require a vision screening or examination to ensure school-aged children are ready to learn.

Iowa spends thousands of dollars annually to educate each child in our school system, but we fail to ensure that they can see.

In addition to wasting state funding, we have disregarded the clear

connection between vision problems and learning disabilities along with behavior issues. Nearly

80 percent of children with learning disabilities and 70 percent of juvenile delinquents have an

undiagnosed vision problem.

The newly elected Iowa Legislature has the opportunity to ensure that every dime we invest in our children’s education is being put to good use by requiring vision screenings at every school during the first and third grades.

This legislation is supported by Prevent Blindness Iowa (PBI) and other organizations who understand the importance of our children being visually prepared to learn. PBI, a voluntary health organization dedicated to the prevention of blindness and the preservation of sight, provides free vision screenings to nearly 20,000 Iowa children annually to detect common eye problems. once a vision problem is detected through a vision screening, these children are sent to an eye doctor for a comprehensive exam to ensure their vision is corrected.

Not only do these screenings assist in learning, but they can also detect a vision problem that can cause permanent sight loss if left untreated. with one in four school-aged children experiencing a vision problem, we can’t afford to let these children slip through the cracks and suffer from vision problems that can have lifelong consequences.

Iowa has fallen behind other states on investing in our children’s vision health. The Iowa Legislature has the power to help ensure each child has the opportunity to excel in school and become successful adults through affordable, regular vision screenings.

Our children’s health and education must continue to be our No. 1 one priority.

Chris Schroeder is president of Prevent Blindness Iowa, preventblindness.org/Iowa/. Comments:

devon Torquay Ware iowa legislature, poor grades, s education, state of iowa, vision problem, vision problems

Dear Tom,

Historically some instances of volcanic activity have been responsible for changes in weather due to ash in the atmosphere. With the ongoing eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, will Europe have a cooler-than-normal summer? Could the U.S. be affected?

—Jeff Schmeckpeper, Lockport

Because sun-blocking particles following volcanic eruptions are eventually disbursed worldwide by high-level winds, the resulting cooling is a global rather than a local affair.

However, the particles, so-called aerosols, must be injected into the stratosphere, the atmospheric layer extending from about 6 to 30 miles aloft. The layer below that, the troposphere, is the layer in which “weather” occurs. Particles injected into the troposphere are washed out of the air by precipitation, usually within a few weeks. To date, ejecta from the Iceland volcano are mainly below 20,000 feet.

devon Torquay Ware precipitation, stratosphere, troposphere, volcanic activity, volcanic eruptions, weather

Northumberland is situated in the north of England and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the UK and is an ideal place to travel for a little holiday or long weekend. In Northumberland you will discover a varied range of activities including walking, pottery and golf or you can simply come and admire the incredible scenery. As you would expect there are a variety of locations to stay while you are here ranging from 5 star hotels to homely country cottages Northumberland. Cottages in Northumbria are the ideal solution for bigger groups with most being able to cater to groups of 8 or more.

While you are here there is so much to do that your visit will simply dash by. One of the major attractions is the magnificent landscape that goes from golden sandy beaches to rolling hills and rugged highlands. The coast of Northumberland is rightly renowned for its beauty and its eclectic variety of wildlife and The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is somewhere you will be able to look at a massive range of birds and sea animals together with grey seals. By renting coastal cottages in Northumbria you will be able to experience all this just on your doorstep.

The North Pennines has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is among of England’s most special locations. There are masses of locations that are well worth a trip including the magnificent High Force cascade, High Cup Gill and the small marketplace towns of Allendale and Blanchard. Cycling, walking and horse riding are immensely well-liked pastimes in the North Pennines and there are hundreds of miles of beautiful bridleways and paths for you and your kin to explore. Or if you would like some water based activities Northumberland has some of the best trout fishing in the UK and Derwent Reservoir is a magnificent place to go for sailing and water sports such as canoeing and windsurfing.

Northumbria is furthermore a place of profound historical significance and boasts a collection of castles that are rich in history and magnificent to look at. The two most well known castles are Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle. Dunstanburgh Castle was constructed in the 14th century and was a much loved subject matter for the famous painter Turner while Bamburgh Castle was totally remodelled and restored by the Victorian industrialist Lord Armstrong and is at present one of the most visited castles in the UK.

To get the most of your time in Northumberland there are a broad range of Northumberland country cottages for you and your group to get pleasure from. Holiday cottages in Northumberland can accommodate groups of assorted sizes and are obtainable in a broad range of locations whether you desire to be by the sea or more inland. Northumberland self catering cottages are great for the more free minded as it gives you the liberty to pick when and where you take your meals. Self catering cottages Northumberland are great for families and will save you cash compared to the cost of staying in a lodge or catered accommodation.

If you are searching cottages for rent Northumberland or Northumberland cottages to rent the community tourist board provides a complete inventory of Northumbria cottages and Northumberland cottages as well as up to date information on cost and availability.

A short break Northumberland

devon Torquay Ware grey seals, sea animals