The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-12-21
HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF
LOCAL SCHOOLS ACTIVE

!. s'The well being of the state is a:
much dependent upon the strength
health and productive capacity OF its
members as it is upon their knowl.
edge and intelligence. In order that
itamay insure the efficiency of its
citizens, the state, through its com
spulsory education enactments, re-
quires its youth to pursue certain stu.
dies which experience has proved
necessary to secure that efficiency
Individual efficiency, however, rests
not alone on education or intelligence
but is equally dependent on physical
health and vigor."-Ayres.
It is then one of the duties of the
school to see that the health Of each
student is considered, hence the health
department..
The late war was brought home to
the people Of these United States the
need of well directed health habits
in the early years of the youth OF
the country. This advise the health
department of the Bemidji public
school aims to give.
The department works to promote
health in every possible way, II
works to prevent disease, to promote
cleanliness of mind and body; it calls
parents attention to physical defects
in the child; it works to keep up at
tendance by investigating absences
and consulting the parents.
Weekly inspections Of the children
are made. Each student receives one
physical examination during the
year and more if necessary. The
needy are aided by calling special
cases to the attention of the county
commissioners, Salvation Army, Child
Welfare committee, etc.
Children of school age not enrolled
in the public schools are investigated
when these absences are found to De
from physical causes, means are tax
en- to remedy the condition.
This year a health campaign con-
tinuing for fifteen weeks is being con
Quoted through all the grades below
the eighth.
The object of this is to get the
child into correct habits Of living. Be-
low are the statements which the
child must answer and keep a record
Of:
I washed my hands before each
meal. l also cleaned my finger nails
today. .,
l did not cough or sneeze without
covering my nose and mouth witt
my handkerchief.
r brushed my teeth thoroughly.
tried to keep fingers, pencils and
everything unclean out OF my mouth
and nose.
l played out Of doors or with win
dows open thirty minutes.
Twas in bed ten hours or more las,
night and kept my windows open.
I tried today to sit and stane
straight, to eat slowly, and to attene
to toilet at a regular time.
I drank cup of milk.
I drank no tea or coffee.
I ate dish of cooked breakfast
food.
/ ate at least one vegetable beside:
potatoes.
l took a full bath on every day Of
the week that is checked X.
It is planned during the year thai
the Parent-Teachers' association
which has recently been organized
take up for consideration the ques
ton Of baths in the several buildings
hot lunches for children that canno
get home at noon, and physical train
ing for all pupils.
In consideration Of the health o.
the school children, the questions be
low give an idea Of some of the con
ditions looked into by the health de
partment.
How many children have goot
deal of headache? How many chill
dren have good deal Of earache
How many children have a good dca
of sore throat often? How man!
children have a good deal of tooth
ache? How many children have beer
to a dentist? How many children
have their own tooth brushes? How
many children use tooth brush ev
cry day? How many children sleel
with their windows open sum
mer and winter? How many chill
dren drink tea and coffee? Ho,
many children eat breakfast ever
day? How many children have
weekly bath?
Why are school children failures
The departments feel quite justif1e'
in saying that many Of these fail
ures arc due to some physical defect