Elementary school provides dental, eye care along with education


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SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake District leaders saw a need and decided to implement serious changes to provide for student needs at Mountain View Elementary School.

Toothaches, poor vision, and sickness often derailed these at-risk students' education. But now when students need help in math, a cavity filled, an eye test or a vaccine, they go to school.

"You have some access to vision screening and dental screening and then follow up to be able to actually get glasses and to actually get your teeth taken care of in ways that otherwise wouldn't take place, " said Superintendent McKell Withers.

Mountain View elementary recently opened as a Community Learning Center, with medical, dental clinics and mental health therapists. The center also provides for families, with Preschools and classes in everything cooking to English.

Robyn Giovacchini, a district early childhood specialist described another force behind the approach.

"Our philosophy is that parents are the child's first and most influencial teacher," Giovacchini said. "And as partners with parents, we work on educating children and educating parents."

The district believes a community's best asset is its school. In addition to providing the building space, they bring in community partners who will be service providers.

Friends for Sight coordinates optometrists who volunteer to screen kids' vision and ensure they get needed glasses.

"They're willing to donate their time for these kids who don't have any other way to get vision correction," said Director Kate Edwards.

Likewise, the Roseman University sends students to examine the elementary students' teeth. IHC and Valley Mental Health provide medical volunteers to help keep students healthy.

"When I drive up here every day I get so excited," said Susan Pizitz of Valley Mental Health. "It's what we've all talked about. It's integrated care. It's about bringing community here."

The Learning Center serves families from more than 80 countries who speak 27 different languages. While they're building bridges, more importantly, they're breaking down the barriers to education.

A community school concept works very well to try to help mitigate some of the debilitating factors related to poverty, Withers said.

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