sunpatriot. com Back to School • Thursday, August 14, 2025 Page 7
Healthy Lunchbox Hacks
Pack more nutrition into school lunches with these tips from the American Heart Association:
• Look for 100 % whole-wheat breads and wraps with no hydrogenated oils and low saturated fat.
• Add extra fresh produce like lettuce, tomato, shredded carrot, zucchini strips, sliced apple or pear slices to sandwiches.
• Pack homemade leftovers like veggie soups or chili in a thermos, or swap lunch meats with last night’ s grilled chicken.
• Prep“ dunkers” like apple or pear slices with yogurt or peanut butter, or pair sliced veggies with hummus, fresh salsa or bean dip.
• Get kids involved in planning and prepping their lunches!
Setting Their Sight On Success
Undetected vision difficulties can often impede a child’ s academic performance. A comprehensive eye exam can ensure your child sees clearly before the new school year begins.
Vision Screening vs Vision Examination
According to the American Optometric Association( AOA), school vision screenings may help identify the presence of eye or vision problems; however, they cannot be used to diagnose an eye or vision problem. Comprehensive eye and vision examinations are conducted by an eye doctor using specialized equipment, training and procedures. Vision screenings can give parents a false sense of security, and a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist is important if a child is struggling in school or exhibiting any symptoms of a vision problem. The AOA recommends an eye examination by age 1, at least once between 3 and 5 years of age, before first grade and annually, or as recommended, thereafter.
Protecting Against Measles
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that spreads through direct contact and the air. The virus causes fever, rash, and in some cases, serious complications including blindness, deafness, swelling of the brain and pneumonia. Unvaccinated young children are at highest risk of measles and its complications, including death, according to the World Health Organization( WHO). The WHO reports that measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year prior to the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination. In 2019, the United States reported over 1,200 measles cases, its greatest number since 1992. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention( CDC), a majority of those who contracted the virus were not vaccinated.
According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America( IDSA), the vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella( MMR), is“ safe and effective and vital to public health.” Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97 % effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93 % effective, according to the CDC. The agency reports that scientists in the United States and other countries have extensively studied the MMR shot, and no link has been found between autism and the MMR shot. To learn more, visit idsociety. org / public-health / measles / myths-and-facts /.