Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-07-27
ICoxMu!rcArEp.

Nh Ep,roR.-It Is not with any osten-
tatious view that I venture a suggestion
with regard to the present regulation Of
vacation in the Public Schools of this coun-
ty. and in so doing it is not nv wish or
intention to say aught in disparagement
of any Of the Officers of the present School
Board. all of whom, 1 believe, discharge
their duty conscientiously and in a man
ner which they deem most subservient to
the public good. A few years back, and
before the present Board came icto power.
many Of the patrons Of the Public Schools
in this county. complained that during the
time they could best spare their children
(July) the schools were closed. To re-
move this complaint and crafty the wish
es Of the people, the school board deter
mined to change the mouths Of vacation
from July and August to August and
September. In desiring this change. how
ever, it is probable that its supposed ben
efts were only in the main considered,
whilst but little reflection was given to
what might be its disadvantages. The
principal advantage claimed for the new
regulation so far as I learned was that
the children would be at home at q time
when their aid or the aid Of the larger
boys would be most beneficial to their
parents in securing their crops. The
practical test Of this departure, however,
has demonstrated that however advanta.
gccus it may be in the securing Of crops.
it must be in great measure at the ex-
pensc Of the mental progress and health
Of the pupils. For think that experience
has rendered It clear that the weather in
the month of July is too warm for chill
dren 10 be confined to the school room.
They not only cannot study SO well but
often do SO at the expense Of their physi-
cal health. I have taught in this coun-
ty during the month Of July in the last
and present year, have found that the
pupils would sometimes get sick from
headache or some other cause. the result
Of an overheated room. and / believe that
my experience is confirmed BY that Of
many other teachers.
Il must also be remembered that many
Of our school houses are perfectly shade
less. The sun strikes them on one side
in the morning, and after that has become
shoroughly heated, he bends his penctra-
ting beams With equal force on the other.
thus reminding Us that il il no place for
children at such time. So that By the
time the hour approaches for the evening
session the house is thoroughly warmed
through, and into this hot-house the chill
dren are gathered, after an exhaustive play
time in the hottest hours Of the day. Can
it BE- wondered al that cases Of headache
and other sickness occur ! and can il be
expected that in this uncomfortable situa-
ton. thus physically oppressed.
"a when nature be oppressed commands the mind
To suffer with The body"
that their intellects win expand and that
they win make that progress in their stud
leo which they would do under more "a
vosable Circumstances! And then i must
Be remembered that some children have
10 walk two, three and even four miles 10
school. and just imagine children Of per-
haps SIX or eight yeaEs ofage waking sev-
eral niles back and forth on . hot July
day. We al kaow thaa Il i caoseh %
tax he eaergies q the mast ROBUST, much
nees tAoss vhsss tsndsr yeass have Hos
Injured them b such tel. In fact some