On Oct. 21, the school board approved the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program. This funding gives the district $12,283.25 to be spent on feminine hygiene products. These products will be free to students for in-school and take home use.
According to the legislature which amended Section 2502.1 of the School Code, “From money appropriated for school health services, the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Education, may use up to $3,000,000 to award grants for feminine hygiene products to school entities to be provided to students at no expense.”
On July 11, the Pennsylvania governor signed Act 55 of 2024 which amended the Public School Code to provide funding for schools to purchase menstrual products. The grant was then given to the school district and went through school board approval.
Assistant superintendent Haley Fleegle aided in the approval of this grant. She believes it will have an impact on the student bodies of the high school, junior high and elementaries.
“This is a positive grant for students to receive products with ease at school for free,” Fleegle said. “We anticipate that this will assist with improving student attendance and a sense of belonging within the school community.”
Department head of nursing Tracy Rispoli believes this impact on the students will increase attendance.
“Hopefully having this grant will improve attendance for the girls that have difficulties getting these products,” Rispoli said. “Some research we received with the grant showed that one in five students struggles to afford these products, and one in four students miss classes because of this issue.”
This grant will impact the high school, junior high and elementary schools. Girl’s League president senior Megan Giles feels it will be beneficial to have these products available for students.
“I think it is a great idea to have these products available,” Giles said. “It helps people that need them get access to them when they might not be able to get them at home or if they forget to bring them to school.”
Students will be able to more privately access menstrual products, which may help them feel more comfortable.
“Periods are unexpected and can come at any time,” Giles said. “It would be nice to not have to worry about knowing if we have the supplies with us or ask someone, which at times can be uncomfortable.”
The funding was given in October and the supply was ordered. Products arrived last week and have been stockpiled.
“We actually placed an order and supplies are now coming in,” Rispoli said. “These orders came in last week. We actually have had student involvement with this process. We are making ‘packs’ for girls to take home that contain a supply of these products. We have had the [junior high] student council help us with making these ‘packs’ and restocking.”
Products will be available in various places in the high school, as well as the junior high and elementaries. Each school will determine individually the best locations for these products to be accessed.
“We have the products readily available for the students in the nurse’s office and guidance office,” Rispoli said. “They can come in and take them for use at school or to take home with them. They are very accessible to students.”
While the nurses have always had the funding to provide these products to students, this grant allows them to improve on their quality and quantity.
“If anyone needs anything we encourage them to go to the nurse’s office or the guidance office,” Rispoli said. “We will make sure they are taken care of and have the products they need, especially over holiday breaks. We always have done that, but this funding allows us to improve the products we purchase and supply.”
