Health Center located at the elementary school - is this a good or bad thing?

[Anonymous]

OP from what I have been able to learn, this is a program started by the MD state Dept of Health to staff a few schools in each county with doctors or nurse practitioners, because among other reasons, many schools lack even a RN. I think there are just four or so centers in each county, so obviously they try to locate the centers in locatins where they will find students who are in need of medical care.... but at the same time, they probably also have to consider which schools have the extra space. They say that they can serve any child in the zip code, so they probably try to spread out their schools among different zip codes as well. But the fact that you have a health center in your school does not mean that it is the neediest school in the zip code (although it is likely high need).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't want my child going to one of those schools if I could help it. Those are the most economically disadvantaged schools in the county and I wouldn't want my child there. There are numerous behavior problems, most of the kids don't speak English, kids are waayy below grade level and a lot of them offer a free, exceptionally unhealthy, breakfast to everyone.

My child attends a school where 80% of the kids are on Free/reduced lunch. It is a Title One School, there are FEW behavior problems, and my daughter (advanced for her age level, no surprise!) is recieving a fantastic education there.

I love hearing this. I suspect that you are not alone in having this type of positive experience, but it's an under-represented voice on DCUM. I'd love to know which school if you're willing to share.

[Anonymous]

I belatedly stumbled upon this topic. I work at a School-Based Health Center (SBHC) and am shocked and dismayed by some of the ignorant statements posted here. The SBHC have it's own entrances that are kept locked. Clients need to ring a bell in order to gain entrance. They do not have easy access to the general school. Vaccines are part of the program but aren't going to be handed out "like candy." Children need to be signed up for the program by their parents. They are NOT automatically enrolled just by being enrolled in the school.
The programs were aimed at uninsured or underinsured children. If you are so wealthy and classist to think that your child shouldn't be enrolled with poor children- send your kid to a private school. It is also really ignorant to assume poor equals dumb. Since Montgomery county is essentially a haven for undocumented immigrants- our poor population will continue to rise. Healthy children are better learners than sick ones, and I think it is awesome that the county is doing something that the federal government can't handle: providing low-cost healthcare to society's most vulnerable population.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that, PP.

The ignorance and classism of some of these posters is shocking.