Dr. Jackie Nielsen, a member of the Beatrice Public Schools board, received the Rask School Vision Care Advocate Award during the Jan. 13 board meeting for her role in a pilot vision-care program that expanded to other districts across Nebraska.

David (Dave) McBride, program director for the Nebraska Foundation for Children's Vision, told trustees the foundation developed a pilot program in partnership with Beatrice that provided comprehensive vision exams and free eye care to underserved students. McBride said the pilot, conducted about four years ago, produced data and a template the foundation has since used in about a dozen other schools and served more than 350 additional students.

McBride said the foundation’s board created the Rask School Vision Care Advocate Award to recognize individuals whose work substantially advances school-based vision care; Dr. Nielsen was one of the inaugural recipients. McBride described the program’s goal as ensuring students have the vision care they need to succeed and said "about 80% of what children learn have some connection with vision." (Quote as spoken.)

Separately, the board recognized Mrs. JC Blackburn as January’s employee of the month; Blackburn is a third-grade teacher praised for her work supporting students with behavioral challenges and for contributing to a positive school culture.

Ending: Board members congratulated both honorees; McBride said the Beatrice pilot helped secure broader collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Education to expand school-based vision services.