CENTRAL HIGH NURSE TRIES TO HELP TEENS

As the school nurse at Cape Girardeau Central High School Jeanne Heise sees many youngsters who become pregnant. She questions what life holds for them.

"Their lives get so complicated at such a young age," said Heise, who is also a member of the Teen Pregnancy and Responsibility Network.

The school gets involved because pregnant and parenting teens are among the most likely to drop out. And statistics show those who drop out are often destined to a life of poverty or government dependence.

Over the past five years, Heise has seen a turn toward more acceptance of teen pregnancies, especially among parents of teens.

"There is a lot more accepting attitude," Heise said. "My goodness, when I was in high school if you got pregnant you disappeared from face of the Earth and didn't show up again in town for 20 years.

"I know a lot has changed since then, but I've seen a real difference in the last five years," Heise said. "The girls come in with their babies dressed up for show and tell.

"Babies are beautiful. But when I'm oohing and gushing over this baby, I'm thinking I probably shouldn't be. In fact I am stroking them for doing something they shouldn't have done. But what can you do?"

Heise has kept statistics on teen pregnancies at the high school since 1984. The number of pregnant girls at Central High has varied little, generally ranging from 21 to 27 each year. During the 1991-1992 school year 35 girls were pregnant. During the 1992-1993 year the number dropped to 20.

In addition, sometimes as many as a dozen students are already parenting children.

"At one point we had four children each with three children," Heise said. "We had one girl graduate who had four children. That's a record."

Not a record she hopes will be broken.

Over the years, Heise has sponsored a variety of programs. "In the past we had a support group for the teen moms. And for several years we had real good attendance."

Speakers presented information about child rearing, finances, child support. But interested fizzled. Even the offer of free lunch and transportation couldn't lure teens to the program.

The support group disbanded and Heise moved to Plan B.

"About two years ago we had a mentor program. A teacher was paired up with each of the teen moms. Well, that worked for some but not for all."

She moved to Plan C.

"We have our improv group at Central and that group has done several real good things for younger students," Heise said. But the presentations are not geared for high school students.

Like other members of the network, Heise is looking for suggestions on what to try next.

"What can we do to help?" she asked, with a note of frustration in her voice.

The school district is now considering a new health curriculum which, if approved, would include an abstinence-based sex education component. The plan would be to start this education at a young age, perhaps sixth grade.

"Maybe that would help," she said. "Something has to change."