09/29/2026
It was a BIG morning at Kae Avenue Elementary as we welcomed our friends from the Columbus Crew, Zenni Optical, Optical Academy, and OhioSEE for a day focused on healthy vision, great attendance, and lots of fun!
We kicked things off with a pep rally featuring special guests, celebrated our students for showing up and showing out with great attendance, got plenty of high fives (and T-shirts!) from Crew Cat, and wrapped up the celebration with an Atten-DANCE Party! Special thanks to our guests, Governor Mike DeWine; First Lady Fran DeWine; Dr. Bruce T. Vanderhoff, Director, Ohio Department of Health; and Stephen Dackin, Director, Ohio Dept. of Education & Workforce.
Then it was time to get to work! For the third year in a row, Zenni Optical provided vision screenings for Kae Avenue students, but this year, the partnership is going even further. Students who don't pass their screening will have access to a free comprehensive eye exam and prescription glasses through Optical Academy, with their new glasses delivered right to school in the weeks ahead.
And the impact is growing! Through the Crew's partnership with OhioSEE, this resource is also being extended to K–3 students at Beechwood Elementary and Etna Road Elementary. That means, for the first time, every K–3 student across Whitehall City Schools will have access to vision screening and follow-up care.
We're incredibly grateful to our community partners for helping remove barriers to vision care and making sure our young Rams can see, learn, and thrive! 🐏
