ST PAUL, Minn. — Starting with the new year, state law now requires Minnesota public schools to stock up on period products.
Saint Paul Public Schools returned to the classroom this week, and for the first time, Central High students and parents didn't need to supply their own products.
Amaya Colby-Clay and Kaya Kotze are co-presidents of the Women’s Outreach Club at Central.
"Before this legislation was passed, we would organize donation of period products, and then distribute them around the school," said Colby-Clay.
Kaya Kotze said her club would receive donations from the National Council of Jewish Women. They said they can fight for other things now after the Central High seniors before them helped pass legislation requiring Minnesota schools to stock bathrooms accessed by students grades 4-12 with period products.
"There's toilet paper and bathroom soaps in the bathroom," said Kotze. "Period products and periods are a normal thing, half the population deals with it."
At Central, nearly half of students qualify for free and reduced lunch last semester.
"Girls were missing school due to their periods, not having access to products," said licensed school nurse Kim Nelson. "After the pandemic that got a little worse, because of the economic factors involved."
Nelson said there can be health issues if someone can't change their products regularly.
"Toxic shock syndrome, things like that," said Nelson, "So, it makes sense. Plus, you can't learn if you're all of a sudden, you're taking a test, you have your period. And you're like, 'What do I do?'"
She says it's a basic need that's finally being recognized as one.
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