By: Richard L. Smith
For one week in late September, the halls of Cicely Tyson Middle/High School in East Orange became more than a place for academics, they became a space for healing and renewed clarity.
From Monday, September 22, through Friday, September 26, 2025, the East Orange School District’s Department of Special Education Services partnered with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation to host a free vision clinic that touched the lives of hundreds of local families.
According to a statement from East Orange High School officials, more than 600 students and staff members received comprehensive eye exams at no cost. 
For many, the transformation was immediate: prescription glasses were made and handed out on the spot, allowing participants to walk out of the clinic seeing the world in sharper detail.
District leaders emphasized that the clinic wasn’t simply about health; it was about equity.
By eliminating barriers such as cost and transportation, the program ensured that children as young as five, with parental consent, could receive the care they needed.
Unused appointments were even extended to staff members, reflecting the district’s commitment to supporting its entire school community.
Ms. Kim Severe, Supervisor of Special Education, played a key role in guiding the effort. 
Her leadership underscored the district’s focus on student wellness, reminding families that when students see better, they learn better.
Superintendent Dr. Christopher C. Irving praised the collaboration, noting that the initiative directly supports academic achievement while promoting overall well-being.
The weeklong clinic ended with not just improved eyesight, but also with a sense of reassurance: in East Orange, every child deserves the chance to see clearly and succeed fully.
