Children need to be given the full package when signing up to a new school. This doesn’t just include a higher chance of attending college and a more attentive classroom setting.
Their physical health and mental wellness needs to be of the utmost priority. School staffing agencies today have quite the juggling act to keep track of as they give their educational foundation another look. What’s the best way to ensure children are both socially adjusted and generally healthy? While every school is going to have a slightly different way of doing things, the basics should be just that. A little bit of everything in one accessible package, including, but not limited to, check-ups, vision screening, and counseling.
Learn more about what children are facing today and how your school can help them through.
Vision Screening
Good health is an ongoing process. This means providing children with regular check-ups to catch any small problems before they get bigger. Children without health insurance have been found to be three times as likely not to have eyeglasses, even when they need them. According to data provided by the National Commission On Vision and Health, 25% of school-age children suffer from vision problems that could have been detected from a proper screening. Vision screening is recommended on a yearly basis, with more serious conditions needing more frequent check-ups.
Hearing Screening
Your school sensory screening should be well-rounded. A hearing screening should be coupled alongside a vision screening to ensure children are healthy enough to attend class and receive a full education. Recent data has found three out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss. The American Academy Of Pediatrics suggests hearing screenings should be conducted before a child enters school for the first time. Hearing loss, chronic ear infections, and tinnitus are the most common issues in young children.
Student Counseling
Mental wellness is of the utmost importance to give children the best possible education possible. Mental health is slowly and surely becoming better understood, with symptoms easier to spot and resources more accessible. Counseling is a great way for children to open up about their struggles and receive direction on where to go next. Medication and regular therapy may be required in more severe cases. ADHD, depression, and anxiety are just a few of the mental health issues you can expect to see after a diagnosis.
Specialized Services
Just like your school staffing plan will be different depending on the size of the school and where it stands in terms of updated protocol, so too will your services look different. Specialized services can include increased accessibility to students with disabilities, learning difficulties, and chronic health issues. They can also involve tutoring for those learning English as a second language. Schools should be dynamic, rather than attempting a one-size-fits-all approach, and more specific details will help steer your staffing plan.
Staffing To Fit Inside Budget Plan
Student focused plans are designed, first and foremost, to ensure the best education possible. A student that struggles to read text on the board or can’t hear dialogue in the classroom runs the risk of becoming alienated from their studies. A recent study found nearly 80% of children today haven’t visited an eye care provider in the past year. Another 20% of teenagers have some form of hearing loss today, 30% higher than in the 1980’s and the 1990’s. Keeping children healthy means being proactive and reactive.
How can your nationwide school staffing plan include more services? Look into vision screening and hearing screening services in your area to give your students their best chance at success.
