Responsibilites

The issues of nutrition, obesity, and vaccinations are things we face everyday in the educational setting. As with many other issues, the school is gaining more responsibilities in the areas covered by Celeste, Amanda, and Ria. Not only are we to educate the children (and have them meet all state standards), we are to feed them (and sometimes dress them), be sure they are vaccinated, and give them ample opportunity for exercise and play. Such things used to be the responsibility of the parents and I believe they still are. Yet, we are in a time in which parents are often parenting alone, working long hours, struggling with finances, and/or not taking their parent-role seriously. Therefore, schools must come alongside the parents to educate them and their children and to provide an environment where health issues are addressed. The school health program supplements and reinforces parents' or guardians' efforts by encouraging students and parents to use health resoruces in the community to aid them in health decisions. In order for a school health program to be beneficial, the school, community, and the home must be involved in the arrangement.
Nutrition and obesity are issues that are interrelated. In an article entitled "Are Parents Repsonsible for Child Obesity" (www.ezinearticles.com), the blame for obesity lies within society. "Parents cannot watch their child twenty-four hours a day. It is impossible. The only thing that parents can do is to teach their children what a healthy diet consists of and hope that they will follow it." Cafeterias are also blamed as they provide junk food in efforts to increase their revenue. The multi-billion dollar industry of fast food is another part of our society, as are the "heat and eat" meals found in our groceries' freezers. Yet, it is the belief of the author of this article that the responsibility "ultimately falls upon the parents to provide healthy nutritional meals for their families when they sit down to evening dinner." Who sits down to an evening dinner anymore? The problem lies in the fact that our children are a reflection of what is acceptable in our adults. Obesity is a problem not just limited to children, but to our "responsible" adults as well.
Vaccinations to prevent communicable diseases should be required before the student enrolls in the public school setting. Our school is presently dealing with pertussis and the health department has become involved requesting shot records for four of our students. It is suspected that one student had not completed his vaccination series as required before entry into school. Our school nurse was just hired this school year and is responsible for students in grades PreK to 8, so she is overwhelmed at this time as she is now checking everyone's shot records and dealing with the health department. Parents must be held responsible for their child's health, including his/her vaccinations. Most school districts require proof of immunization before entry into school. "Infectious Disease, Vaccinations, Responsibility, and Irresponsibility" is an article that discusses parents who choose not to vaccinate their children (www.scienceblogs.com). "Parents who decline to vaccinate their children aren't just putting their own kids at risk, which is bad enough, but they're also putting other children at risk, which is unexcusable."
So, are the schools responsible for the nutrition, obesity, and vaccinations? No, ultimately, the parents are responsible. But we must be willing to work with parents, as a piece of the puzzle, and promote the well-being of our students.