WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) - With the school year barely underway, a new program aims to keep kids healthy, in school, and learning. The goal is to provide what many households may take for granted that are real obstacles for others. Eyewitness News Reporter Mark Hiller shows us what the program is all about.
It's not first aid kits, band aids or cough drops inside what's called the Nurse's Pantry at Daniel J. Flood Elementary School. "Hygiene is a big issue with our kids," said Maura Mattick, RN who is the school nurse.
Instead, two closets contain resources like lice treatment kits that address issues besides illness which may keep kids from attending school. A case of head lice last school year cost one family two weeks of classes. It turns out that family couldn't afford a lice kit. "I can give them the kit. They can take it home, treat their child and we can get them back in school as soon as possible," said Ms. Mattick.
Some students may only have one pair of pants that fit the dress code. As Ms. Mattick explained, limited clothing could limit their time in school. "Pants that were ripped or even if we get a spill in the cafeteria. Who wants to walk around with huge spills on their pants?"
United Way of Wyoming Valley launched Nurse's Pantry to assist struggling families. The pilot program addresses some stunning numbers. 91 percent of the student population here lives in poverty and roughly 30 percent of the kids fall victim to chronic absenteeism.
"We have seen an incline with the economically disadvantaged student within our district," said Wilkes-Barre Area Director of Administration and Student Services Dr. Rochelle Koury-Spier. She is hopeful Nurse's Pantry can help cut chronic absenteeism. United Way of Wyoming Valley President/CEO Bill Jones believes Nurse's Pantry will help struggling students succeed. "Providing the resources in small investments now could help those children stay in school, move through school with more confidence, graduate on time."
All five Wilkes-Barre Area elementary schools are participating in Nurse's Pantry. United Way of Wyoming Valley is funding the program with $12,000 as part of its Poverty to Possibility initiative.
