SIGN NOW: End Period Poverty in the Beaverton School District

The Beaverton School District

In 21st century America, schools have an obligation to serve all students equitably. Every student deserves the reassurance that their school restrooms are outfitted with necessities to accommodate their biological needs. Yet, for roughly half the US student population, there is a glaring exception to this commitment: menstrual hygiene products.

Menstrual hygiene products are basic necessities, and the inability to access them affects a student’s freedom to study, be healthy, and participate in society with dignity. Studies have shown that when students lack access to menstrual hygiene products they skip or miss class, face embarrassment or objectification because of period stains, and are limited both academically and socially.

Together we can end period poverty and achieve menstrual equity.

Join PERIOD. at Arts and Communication Magnet Academy in taking action to ensure that all students are provided free and easy access to period products — because no one should have to miss out on an education because of their period.

To: The Beaverton School District
From: [Your Name]

Interrupted, disjointed studies. Missed classes, late arrival slips. Over time, a stunted education. Numerous menstruating students face this reality, because their schools do not provide them access to readily available and affordable period products. Who wishes to wake up with the unabating worry that their clothing will be stained with blood, that their period will snatch the time they could spend learning? Why does it have to be this way?

School districts provide free toilet paper, soap, and paper towels in bathrooms as basic necessities, as a right, for natural bodily functions. Not all bodily functions are accounted for, though. For those students who lack period products, such resources are missing — and in a world where students and other individuals cannot express their hygienic needs, whether by stigma or unhealthy societal norms — grave consequences arise.

Equal opportunity in education proves impossible without easy access to period products. It is a fundamental human right to have the ability to discover and reach one’s full potential, regardless of a natural need. Providing free, readily available menstrual products in schools helps all students and is critical to success, especially for low-income and transgender students. If we, as privileged members of society, do not ensure access to menstrual hygiene products, we send a message undermining the value of menstruating students. We actively perpetuate the harmful effects of period stigma and shame.

Arts and Communication Magnet Academy, as a public-school Period.™ chapter, wants menstrual hygiene products implemented not only at our school, but into all middle- and high-school restrooms on campuses in our district, the Beaverton School District. We believe that doing so will drive us one step closer to universal access to menstrual hygiene products.

We, the undersigned, demand that all restrooms used by menstruators and serviced by the Beaverton School District must be consistently stocked with both pads and tampons at no cost to students, and have well-maintained sanitary disposal units within each stall; the district must also take measures to ensure that they serve individuals with disabilities equally. Ending period poverty will have a positive impact on society. And it begins here, with education and accomodation for all.