Legally, according to New York State law, menstrual products should be provided by the school. Menstrual products are an absolute necessity for female students, not only in the high school, but for middle and possibly even some elementary school students.
Section 1. Section 267 of the public health law states that starting on July 1, 2024 in NYS, all students grades 6-12 will be provided with free menstrual products.
Because of this new amendment, Westhampton girls question the way products are made available at our school. At WHBHS, the products are hard to access, being provided all the way down at the nurse’s office. The tampon vending boxes in the bathroom, which would be convenient, are empty.
According to sophomore Ava Derby, a lack of access to products in the bathroom causes unnecessary anxiety. She said, “I feel anxious in case something happens, because I wouldn’t want to feel embarrassed” by having to walk across the school for products.
WHBHS school nurse, Mrs. Andarakis (“Ms. A”), said if a student needs a product right now and they don’t have one, “Come to the nurse, there are pads and tampons here.”
As to why the products are not available in the bathroom, she said, “Because they’re costly and often when they’re provided they’re misused.” In the past, products were stuck on the walls and misused in many other ways.
For more information on school ‘pons and ‘pads, visit Menstrual Products NY.
