PAGE 2 • PLAINDEALER No child is ever too young to develop an eye problem No child is too young to have a vision problem. Eye disorders affect nearly half a million pre-i school children, or one in every twenty youngsters between the! ages three through five. "Some of these problems can easily be overlooked," said Virginia S. Boyce, executive di rector of the National Society to Prevent Blindness. "The child probably won't complain be cause he or she doesn't realize there's anything amiss. After all, he's always seen his world I the same way." Early detection important Mrs. Boyce stressed the im portance of finding eye prob lems early because, by the time the disorder becomes apparent, it may be difficult to correct. Ideally, children should have a professional eye examination by age four or five, or at least a vision screening. The Society sponsors periodic free preschool vision screenings, conducted by a network of trained volunteers. One of the eye problems of most concern is amblyopia -- "lazy eye" -- a dimness of vi sion in the affected eye which, without professional treatment, can lead to permanently im paired vision, or even blindness in that eye, if not discovered and treated by age six or seven. The earlier the treatment, the better the chance for its success. The usual method of treat ment is to patch the stronger eye, forcing the weaker one to FRIDAY. AUGUST 22. ltM devetof, sometimes in combi nation with eye exercises, glio ses or surgery. Parents who cannot take their children to a doctor or commun ity vision screening can send for the Society's do-it-yourself Home Eye Test for Preschool ers. Preliminary test "Like any other screening," Mrs. Boyce pointed out, "it does not take the place of a pro fessional eye examination, but it can tip off parents to the fact that a problem may exist, so that the child can see an eye doctor for a thorough check-up." Available in English or Spanish, the test is presented as a game for children too young to recognize letters and numbers. \ Thf kit is self-cenuine^, with „ 'directions for gMngthe teStahd * interpreting the results, and is available free from the National Society. • Help available For a copy of this, or other helpful brochures on children's eye care, write: National Soci- A An Account Which Is Designed With The Student In Mind - -A N.O.W. ACCOUNT- McHenry Savings and Loan Association understands the awesome responsibilities in pursuing an education. A N.O.W. Account offers o No Minimum Dolance and No Service Charge account. Now your education can be pur sued with the convenience of a N.O.W. Account. McHenry Savings V ANO LOAN ASSOCIATION W 1209 North Green Street McHenry 815 385-3000 10520 Mom Stiopf Richmond 815 6*8 2061 10402 Noith Vine Street Huntley Cen«ei on Route 4? Huntley Jl? 66*3133 LOBBY HOURS: Daily 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Friday 9:00 am to S:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to closed Wednesday. McHENRY DRIVE-UP WINDOW: Daily 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. Wednesday 8 2:00 pm. Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Saturday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm McHENRY S A V I N G S . S III! SSIICIll l l iJ SSI 0 3:00 pm, 00 am to fcJ-lbiiy Mop/a fle/fwy faff/to fy fdopk / Preveat Blindness, 79 fadlsbn Avenue, New York NY 10016. The National Society, estab lished io 1908, is the oldest vol untary health agency nationally engaged in preventing blindness through community service programs, public and profes sional education, and research. Changes in, out of class await students this fall Our children spend a large part of their day in school, under the influence of our educational system. What's "new" for back-to- school, from the government, the media, the classroom, higher educational organizations, the fashion industry and even the home, has bearing on the quality of education children of all ages will re ceive this fall. In May, a major change occurred in the government when the Department of Health, Education and Welfare officially became the Department of Health and Human Services. The administration of educational programs is now the responsibility of the new Depart ment of Education. Changes in ideas, policies and administrative structures are inevitable for the future. Closer to the classroom, the improve the quality of chil- nation-wide emphasis on im proving the health and well- being of the American public becomes evident. Physical education stressed Fitness programs for all ages, supported by the President's Council on Physical Fitness, and private organizations such as the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, are being implemented in gym clas ses, adult education programs and after-school curricula, and at the college level. The institution of Title IX, which requires schools receiv ing federal funds to offer equal sports opportunities to both men and women, will be met with praise from some schools, criti cism from others. Nutrition Implementation Changes will appear in the lunchroom also, as more and more schools translate their concern over the eating habits of today's young people into more wholesome, nutritional plans. To accompany the appear ance of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and sugar-free desserts on the menus, teachers will be em phasizing the basic principles of nutrition to promote the accep tance of healthful eating. Learning with technology The media is a powerful learning tool. Television has become a predominant force in the teaching of new ideas and social values to children. It will become more so in the future as organizations strive to dren's programming. This year's technological ad vances into the classroom take the form of microcomputer sys tems, wrist-watch calculators and in-classroom TV screens. At home, the technological learning process continues with home-video games becoming a popular way to have fun while learning. On the campus Video tapings of lectures, ear phones, computers and tape re corders will be widely used on college and university campuses as methods of self-teaching be come more widespread. Changes in school and col lege fashions ease the student into the changes accompanying the back-to-school blues. With styles emphasizing comfort, durability, easy care and, of course, a fashionable look for the '80s, one that is both preppy and classic, stu dents are free to ponder leSs about " what they will wear to day" and more about the new experiences that await them. A lot for a little And, the new foil schoolwear is versatile enough to allow stu dents to build a complete ward robe on a limited budget. Although there are many in novations to come in our school systems, there is still a central core based upon the "Three R's." Our school systems reflect changing times and new educa tional theories, while striving to remain a respected institution in the eyes of our children. For the high-eneigy athlete COMFORTABLE YET RUGGED ACTIVE WEAR with new- for-fall styling touches will help take the sting out of going bark to schooll These spiffy sweat outfits -- for the junior jock »« well as big brother -- are by Hang Ten. They're nude of Du Pont's new "Hi-Nell" yarns that help keep combatants cool during the heat of high energy iports.