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THE SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM

When one reads the minutes of the board meeting prior to 1926,' he finds that there are frequent references made to problems relative to the health of school children. After 1926 a school nurse had been employed, and many of the problems were settled by the nurse and other employees so that fewer problems of this nature came directly to the board.

In the early days when sickness was prevalent in the community, the board would order the schools closed for a time and open them again only after the school rooms had been "properly fumigated." Many impromptu meetings were held in Gamble4s Drug Store to determine whether the schools should be closed or not.

At the meeting of the board held in January 7, 1913, the principal was instructed to have two fire drills each month.

As early as 1921 the need for a full time school nurse was considered, and at the meeting hold on February 7th of that year, the subject was discussed at great length. However it was not until 1926 that a school nurse was employed. In 1921 the board hired Dr. Cristler to inspect the school children once each year; he was paid a fee of 250 per pupil for this service.

Back in 1919 the school board instructed the borough health officer, who at that time was Mr. Mercer, to report to the board every week the names of pcople in Midland with contagious diseases. Also in 1919 it was reported to the board that some of the local merchants were selling cigarettes to boys under 16 years of age. The secretary of the board was instructed to write a letter to the chief of police bringing this matter to his attention and asking for better observance of the law.

To facilitate the work of the school nurse, the board purchased an automobile in 1928. This meant that the nurse could got to more homes, transport children to clinics, and generally extended the effectiveness of the health program.

By board action the services of the school doctor and school nurse were extended to include the parochial schools on February 13, i936.

The Medical Health Program grow to include pro-school clinics, the administration of toxins when necessary, administrations of Chest x-rays, etc. The Health Act of 1945 made mandatory most of the-program, which had already become established in Midland except after 1945 the state reimbursed the school district provided they conformed to certain practices. Under the now law every pupil must have a thorough examination every other year.

The medical examiners to serve the Midland schools have been:

Dr. J. W. Chrlstlor Feb. 21, 1921 to June 1, 1934

Dr..Dan Suffolotta Sept. 1, 1934 to June 1, 1942

Dr. Thomas Boyd Sept. 1, 1942 to (incumbent)

Those who have served this district as nurse are as follows:

Margaret Foster - 1926 - 1928

Mrs. James Jackson - 1928 - 1929

Olive MOchling - 1929 - 1934

Bernice Spargo - 1934 - to lo/l/36

Mrs. Eleanor McKinnon - l/l/37 to 1939

Margaret Gressly - 1939 to 190 (loft on military duty)

Virginia Rogers - 1942 - 1943

Mary Kessel - 1943 - 1946

Margaret Grossly - 1946 - Incumbent

The Dental Program has boon much shorter lived than the Medical Program, in the Midland Schools. Back in 1928 the board engaged dental hygienist. The first person to work in this capacity in Midland was Miss Hazel Crum who worked from September 1928, to December 1, 1930. The depression caused a curtailment of services, and the dental hygienist was one of the persons eliminated; such services have not been restored to this day. It wasn't until February 1946, that any further work was done with this phase of the health program. At that time Dr. Frank Benedict was employed as a dental examiner; it became his duty to inspect all school children in the odd grades. His services were paid for by the school district but reimbursed by the state.

In 1945 the State Legislature passed the Health Act §426. This act mandated all school districts to make physical and dental examinations at state expense of all school pupils every other year. The act also provided for a Health Advisory Council which was a representative group of citizens organized for the purpose of assisting the school health program by encouraging and arranging for financial assistance for follow-up work and remedial work found necessary by the examinations.

It wasn't until November 1, 1951, that the Midland Health Advisory Board

Was organized with the following officers:

Wilbert Bassinger - President

Alex Della Valle - Vice President

J. J. Migliore - Sccrotnry

This group meets twice each year to hear the health reports of the school officials and to determine how the health council can be of assistance. It was upon the recommendation of this group that a dental clinic was organized in February 1953. The Board of Education supported the program by providing the equipment for a modern and convenient dental office in the Fourth Street School. The various organizations in town were asked to contribute the necessary funds to operate the dental clinic; these funds pay the dentists’ fees, cost of supplies, etc. All indigent children of the district were sent to the clinic to receive dental care. All dentists in the community cooperated with this program.

The Health Act of 1945 gave such an impetus to the program that it was necessary to provide a suitable place for examinations. Therefore a medical clinic was established at the Fourth Street School and equipped properly. It provided a waiting room, dressing rooms, and examining rooms. All pupils of the school system go to this clinic to receive their examinations.

Such a program necessarily requires many reports. This work became so voluminous that in 1953 a clerk was hired to do the clerical work necessary in the health clinic.