Lee Ware, Virginia Delegate
“Having spent three decades teaching History and Government to young people, naturally the wellbeing of our children in school is of immense importance to me. How well children can read can determine the quality of their learning, and poor vision is by definition an impediment to reading. Consequently, I admire—and support—Conexus in its mission to expand vision-testing for school pupils.”

When 5-year-old Preston went to school one day, there was a lady there to check his eyes. It was important, his teacher told him, because he needed to be able to see well to read and learn.

Preston was a little nervous, but the lady showed him the box that she would be using to screen his vision. It looked a little bit like the pad he used to play games and watch cartoons. All he had to do was stand still for a few seconds while she looked at him through that box. It was over before he knew it!

This quick and easy screening, called VisioCheck and conducted by Conexus, determined that Preston had astigmatism. Astigmatism can cause blurred vision, which can impact reading and many other activities.

Read the full article: ​http://bit.ly/2DSBJHV

Conexus recently honored Delegate Lee Ware with its prestigious ‘The Joseph Nichols Award’ in recognition of his ongoing efforts to remove poor vision as an obstacle to children’s success in school and in life. 

“Delegate Ware has made a significant difference in the lives of children throughout the Commonwealth, addressing both a public health and public education issue,” said Tim Gresham, CEO of Conexus.

In addition to serving two terms on the Conexus Board of Directors, Delegate Ware has worked to update and modernize the state law dealing with public school based vision screenings. This past year, Delegate Ware introduced a budget amendment to support a pilot program that provides for comprehensive vision programming in more than thirty school districts across Virginia, serving more than 55,000 children.

​Click HERE to read the full press release.

The Conexus, Richmond Public Schools, and Vision to Learn partner project culminated its year one activities with a press conference and celebration at E. S. H. Greene Elementary in Richmond.  Richmond Mayor, Levar Stoney, and RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras addressed the crowd to share in their support and appreciation of the 2 year project which is working to improve vision outcomes for students in RPS. 
CLICK HERE to read the full press release from the Mayor’s office
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A special thanks to our friends Jill Lemon and Carol Anne Lajoie from IMPACT 100 Richmond who visited with us today to deliver the official award from the Big Give Event!  We can't wait to get started!

Conexus was invited as one of 4 finalist to present at the IMPACT 100 Richmond Big Give Event.  Each of the finalists were allowed 5 minutes to highlight the details of their proposal to the full IMPACT 100 membership of over 300 Richmond area women.  Following the presentation, finalists were escorted to the “green room” while the membership took a live vote to award two, $100,000 grants.

We are pleased to share Conexus was selected as one of the winners!  Conexus will use the $100,000 to bring full service vision programming to the Communities in Schools designated schools in Chesterfield and Henrico Counties (a total of 13 schools).  The project will deliver the Conexus VisioCheck program to over 5,100 student, finding nearly 1,100 in need of follow-up exams and possibly glasses. 

Conexus will then follow-up the screening program with free, onsite eye exams and glasses if necessary to referred students.  Conexus will set up a mobile vision lane in each of the participating schools and will work in collaboration with the Richmond Optometric Society to staff the clinic with local, licensed optometrists to provide the exams.

Additionally, Conexus will work with Essilor, VSP, the Robins Foundation and the Community Foundation to advance the efforts of this project.  

                THANK YOU IMPACT 100 RICHMOND!

The Conexus Board gathered to review recent programming success, approve the organization’s annual budget, strategize next steps for the Kids 2020 Campaign, and offer a heartfelt goodbye to long time screening technician, Corrine Huber.  After nearly 4 years with Conexus, Corrine and her husband are relocating to San Diego, CA in early June.  We are so grateful for all the contributions Corrine has made to Conexus over the years.  Her positive, upbeat attitude and energy will be missed!

Conexus Staff had the pleasure of meeting Michael Duenas, Chief Public Health Officer, AOA and several members of his key staff to discuss how Conexus programs and data could work to support objectives of the Association.  The meeting offered a wonderful opportunity to reflect on mutual goals regarding children’s vision and explore  opportunities to expand on current data to support increased awareness regarding the importance of good vision as it relates to school success.  We look forward to taking some of our ideas to the next step to advance vision outcomes for students!