Evening star., 1942-03-22

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and results of this annual health
program, it might be well to outline
briefly what 1t is.
Each spring for more than Is
years the parent-teacher associa-
ton has conducted a health exami-
nation of pre-school children which
has been called summer roundup
because 1t is hoped that remediable
defects will be corrected during the
summer months before school
opens in September. All pre-school
children of the various school divi-
sions are eligible to participate in
these examinations. The parents
urgently desired that all children do
participate.
Eligible Children Listed.
Local unit chairmen, in most
cases, canvass the neighborhood and
secure q list of children eligible for
these examinations. The parents
are urged to take their children to
their family physician or to the local
schools on designated days, where
physicians, dentists and nurses are
in attendance to give them thorough
physical examinations.
II remediable defects are discov-
cred the parents are so informed
with the expressed hope that these
defects will be corrected. The real
object of the checkup is to pave
the way for entrance into school
with 100 per cent physical fitness.
There are several reasons for
anxiety over physical fitness on the
part of health authorities and
adults. One Is the belief that a
we'll child is happy child and is
much more easily adjusted to the
new school environment.
Another reason is the conviction
that all children are entitled to a
healthy. happy childhood and it is
believed that if the habit of yearly
physical examinations can be estab-
lished it will go with the child
through life, thus adding not only to
his life expectancy but to his en-
joyment of responsibilities which life
may bring to him.
During these spring health exam
nations. In addition to the compul-
sorry smallpox vaccination, immuni-
zation against diphtheria is ad-
vised and urged inasmuch as 1t Is
the pre- e-school age group which Is
most susceptible to this painful and
frequently fatal disease.
Cooperating with the District OF
Columbia Congress of Parents and
Teachers in this project are the
District of Columbia Health De-
partment. including dental. medical
and nursing services. the District OF
Columbia Medical and Dental So
cieties, the Instructive Visiting
Nurse Society, and the Society for
the Prevention of Blindness.
The Board of Education lends its
hearty Endorsement to the program,
and the elementary public schools
are used as temporary clinics during
the examinations.
In previous years as many as 1000
children have been examined during
one roundup. and large percentage
Of defects which had been discovered
were corrected the following sum-
mer.
urge the parents Of every pre-
school-age child in the city to get
In touch with the local schools II
they are not approached by the local
roundup chairman and make ar
rangements for this important and
effective examination
There are many little folks in
Washington who need but slight
medical attention to approach the
100 per cent class. 1t is our duty
to see that they receive this help
1t is our responsibility to provide
the means for their entrance into
school in the best possible physical
condition.
Carbery-Ludlow
Mrs. Lloyd Head, president. enter
tanned a group Of mothers at her
home recently to work on the year.
book.
The Nominating Committee con-
sists Of Miss Edith Williams, Miss
r. Dick and Mrs. Milton Whip.
Pupils are collecting coat hangers
to sell In order to obtain money
for defense work.
Grade mothers attended the Ex-
ecutive Board meeting on March 10.
A group of mothers, headed by
Mrs. Robert Bosworth. student aid
chairman, went to Gales School on
March l6 to sew.
Mrs. Milton Whipp has been
elected chairman of delegates.
Fillmore
Magruder Gordon Maury spoke at
the Fathers Night meeting on
March is. Musical selections were
furnished by the Wilson Teachers
College Glee Club.
Truesdell
The association will meet Tuesday
at l:30 D, m. Mrs. RAYMOND Ma