Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1922-03-01
DECORAH'S HEALTH NURSE
REPORTS
DEBORAH, Iowa, Feb. %, 10:

DEBORAH, Iowa, Feb. 28, 1922.
To the Parents of Children in the
school:
Miss Quammen's reports of the re-
suit of her health inspection of the
grade children in the Public Schools
of DEBORAH show some conditions
that call for serious consideration.
Among the chief defects listed in
her report are poor vision; defective
noses and threats (adenoids and ton
sils); decayed and irregular teeth;
and malnutrition of undemourish-
ment.
The remedies for these conditions
are in the parents hands. Consult
an oculist in regard to the eyes; a
dentist in regard to the teeth; a
physician for the other defects.
The part that the school can play
in building up the health of school
children is limited. Out of door
play has been encouraged; instruc-
ton in hygiene has been given
throughout the eight grades; the for
nation of the proper health habits
has been fostered as much as pos
sible; and the findings of the county
nurses examination of the pupils
have been reported to the parents.
Outside of this the school has done
very little. aa ~
There are a good many schools
in the U. S.--some of them in Iowa
which have gone step further
and organized campaign against
mainutrition. The chief feature of
this campaign has been the milk
lunch at school. The results of this
plan have been, in general, a mark
ed improvement in the physical and
mental condition of the children who
were previously in the under weight
class. Children are weighed at regu-
lar generally monthly intervals and
are inspired to take pride in getting
their weight up to normal.
The DEBORAH Public Schools is
about to put on such campaign,
with the assistance and financial
backing of the Civic Club. All pupils
who are 7 per cent or more under
weight, will be given half pint of
milk with a graham cracker or two,
morning and afternoon. The cost
of the milk will be 30c per week.
Parents are requested to send that
amount to school with the child, I'M
less they are unable TO do so-tor
unwilling. In that case the milk
will be furnished free. No one ex-
cept the school authorities will know
who is paying and who is not.
OF course it is within the author
ity of the parent to refuse to allow
/ his child to have milk at school. Any
who are unwilling for their children
to have milk at school may signify
their wishes in writing and those
wishes will be respected.
Remember that i'll nourished chilr
dren "take everything. Their re-
sistance to infection is markedly de-
creased. Malnutrition is from two
to three times as frequent among
those who are behind in their stud
les as among those who are making
normal progress. The milk will be
bought only from inspected herds.
Some Questions and Their Answer
Who are expected to take milk
lunches? All pupils who are Z pei
cent under weight. -,
Besides these who may take milk
! II they WISH 80 All VIII "i'h w Wv
so and who will bring their money
20 school Friday morning before tne
week in which the milk is desired.
What pupils are expected to pay
for>their milk? All who can.
What if they cannot afford to pay
The Civic Club will pay for all who
cannot afford to pay.
What will happen if the parents
of an underweight child do not WISH
him to drink milk at school? II
parents will signify, in writing, thell
unwillingness to have their children
! drink milk at school, their wishes
win be respected.
| Respectfully submitted,
MRS. Z. ]. CURTIN,
President Civic Club
| C. c.. GAMERTSFELDER,
Supt. Schools.