ALAN CRANSTON

CALIFORNIA

United States Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510

June 8, 1977.

Ms. Patricia K. Moore

GPO Box 4532

San Juan, PUERTO RICO 00936

Dear Ms. Moore,

In response to the inquiry I made on your behalf, I've received the enclosed comments from the U.S. Office of Education.

I hope this report is helpful and that the information outlined in it will clarify the situation for you. If you have further questions, or if there's any way my office can seek to help you in the future on other federal problems, I hope you will call on me again.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE

OFFICE OF EDUCATION

WASHINGTON. D. C. 20202

May 12, 1977

Honorable Alan Cranston

United States Senate

Washington, D.C.

Dear Senator Cranston:

Thank you for your letter of April 19 on behalf of Ms. Patricia K.
Moore concerning the deplorable school situation at Fort Buchanan,
Puerto Rico.

The need for a new middle school facility to replace the frame barracks buildings which have been used for this purpose has been recognized for several years. Such new school facilities would be constructed under the provisions of Section 10 of Public Law 81-815. Appropriations for that program have been inadequate to meet the needs of applicants since 1967. Funding for the purpose of Section 10 averaged about $1 million per year from 1972 through 1975 with the expenditure of that amount confined to make emergency repairs to Section 10 school facilities already in existence.

In 1975, the Office of Education was authorized to conduct an in-depth study, in cooperation with the Department of Defense and with appropriate State and local education agency representatives, to determine school construction needs on government installations where the responsibility of providing school facilities falls under Section 10 of Public Law 81-815. That study has been under way since then, with the final report expected to be completed within the next few weeks.

The portion of the report covering the schools at Fort Buchanan substantiates the conditions described in Ms. Moore's letter. Our survey identifies repair needs, overcrowded conditions, and in some instances, such as at Fort Buchanan, safety hazards that exist in buildings now being used for school purposes.

Adequate and safe school facilities are a concern of the Administration and the Congress. We anticipate that the in-depth study report will receive prompt attention. It will identify extensive needs which should provide a basis for increased budgetary support for the improved mainten-ance of existing facilities and the construction of new school structures where the need is justified.

We realize that the Antilles Consolidated School System may have to resort to other measures as an alternative to the continued use of

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makeshift wooden facilities provided by the military command at Port Buchanan. However, until new funding is authorized we are unable to take more positive corrective action.

If the Office of Legislation can be of further assistance, please let us know.

TO : Parents of Children at Antilles Consolidated School System

FROM : The School Nurses

SUBJECT:

Control of Communicable Diseases and Insect Infestation

In preparation for the new school year we, of the Nursing Department of Antilles Consolidated School System would like to give you a few tips and precautions that may assure the beginning of a fairly communicable-free school year. By your using a few common precautions we, at school, will be better able to keep under control the spread of the contagions, thus keeping absenteeism in both the student body and faculty to a minimum and as a result, a healthier school community.

The following are a few hints that can be beneficial to both you and your
children:

1. Observe your child for any infected sorcs (mosquito bites, etc.).
2. Watch for sore throats, fevers and any other indications of illness.
3. If a skin or throat infection is suspected, visit your doctor.

4. Keep your children as clean as possible (bathe them and change their
clothing daily, etc.).

5. Shampoo their hair frequently and examine as often for head lice. This is a continuing problem at our school, especially with the younger children. This year the school nurses have performed routine examinations at certain intervals throughout the school year and have discovered a few infestations each time. This indicates to us that you cannot relax in your observations and examinations, nor can we. These little insects can be easily seen, usually quite close to the scalp. Their eggs (nite) can also be easily seen and are attached to the shafts of individual hairs. The nits are bothersome to remove and sometimes need to be literally scraped off between your finger nails. If you discover that any of your children have lice, please do not send them to school until the condition is treated and controlled.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATMENT OF HEAD AND BODY LICE:

1. Treatment:

2.

a.

Several shampoos to kill lice are on the market. Some can
be bought over-the-counter at your drug store, but others
require a prescription.

b. All persons in the hoursehold should be thoroughly examined
and if lice are present should be treated.

3. Wash clothing and household linens, using very hot water, used by persons with head lice.

4. Dry clean all clothing that cannot be laundered.

5.

Treatment takes only about an hour. Your child will be readmitted to school after treatment is judged to have been effective by school officials.

6.

All initially infested persons should be retreated in 8 to 10 days.
As long as there are nits present, the treatment must continue.

7.

To prevent spread, persons with head lice should not share articles that come in contact with the head, neck or shoulders (combs, brushes, hats, coats, towels, etc.).

We would like to take this opportuniy to suggest that you check your children's immunization records early in the summer months and get the required immunization so there will be no question about admission for the new school year.