Ten senior University of Scranton nursing students spent nearly a week in Newark, N.J., in January, providing health screenings to nearly 500 children.

The nursing students went to North Star Academy, a charter public school in Newark and part of the Uncommon Schools system.

Stephen Stark, a senior nursing major from Staten Island, N.Y., said that for many of the students at North Star Academy, this would be the only health screening they would receive for the year.

“Some have limited access to healthcare and the screenings we provide them are highly beneficial and help assess their need for glasses or other special consults in order to improve the learning process so they can be the best they can be,” said Stark.

Teresa Conte, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing, who served as one of the group’s chaperones, explained that the North Star Academy aims to educate disadvantaged and inner-city children with the goal of having them attend college. She added that the school’s curriculum has placed it in the top two percent in the country.

To read the full article, available on TheTimes-Tribune.com, click here. (The article was written by Elizabeth Klassner '12, a student correspondent.)

Ten University of Scranton nursing students provided health screenings to nearly 500 children at North Star Academy, a charter public school in Newark, N.J. Students participating in the January service project are (front, from left) Minnel Meglioranza and Kelly Zimmerman. Back row (from left) are Nora Bompensiero, Lauren Meade, Katelyn Mertz, Elizabeth Malocsay, Stephen Stark, Jillian D’Eramo, Ashley Vosilla and Jennifer Farrell. All are members of the University’s class of 2012.