The New York herald., 1879-01-02
many improvements possible. but there is
limit even to these tor want of space"

many improvements possible. but there Is a
limit even to these tor want of space"
VIEWS or ExPERIEScf.
former school trustee OF the Nineteenth ward. III
speaking Of the subject of ventilation in the schools.
said ~ think the course of the HERALD is very
much to be commended and it is about time that
the subject OF ventilation was ventilated. One OF
the great difficulties in the way of any Improvement
is that this is progressive in all things except the
building of schools Three years ago the plans FOR
school building We're prepared by the Superinten-
dent of the Board of Education. The law requires
them to be approved by the trustees, and thongh a
majority condemned the plan yet the building was
erected without any material change. ma
Jority of the trustees urged that thers %
should be ample yard room in schooi
designed to accommodate over two thousand pupils,
but they only laughed at and instead OF having
the entire ground foor toe this purpose, the super
incnlent designed large class on the rear
of the ground floor and, a. If that we're not enough
used the front part of the same foor Tor 'e Jai'or
apartments. thus leaving little or no space or oho
OF the most essential features i'll the economy o,
school-that is. yard room. To the cmldreh, %ho
are confined in what must necessarily where sucn
trong is assembled, be more or less OF Ni'iu'eu M
atmosphere the yard is indispensable, where they
inhae the fresh air for awhile aud come back TO
their studies reinviSorated. For overcrowoeu ciass
rooms there should be frequent rccesses
Another gentleman of long experience IN school
affairs held the theory about frequent rccesses
for crowded class rooms. This said he. lis done
to great extent i'll the primary departments ana IL
helps to cure any vitation of the AR from Dreaming
of primary departments. especially or boys, tnere
is unpleasant odor that comes from the
clothing which is not of the best. and from the fact
that children frequently live i'll rooms where COOK.
ing. sleeping, eating and smoking old pipes are al
done together. Frequent recesses remedy TINS eVli,
but no process of ventilation can entirely get RID OF
the odors that are common to school rooms IN rue
higher classes grammar departments, and in girls
classes generally, such odors are noticeable or
perceptible TO great degree If these odors could
be removed have doubt that pure air enough
would be found supplied to the schools l have
spent much time in the examination OF this
matter of ventilation and have read many
treatises on the subject to determine
what way the constant OF pure air could DC
maintained in the schools, and am frank TO say
that after all my opinion is that the defect wlcn
exists cannot be absolutely cured, but OF course IL
be greatly remcdicd. 1t il good practice, and is
frequently resorted of sending children who are
unceanly home to be made neat and returned again
The teachers, for the most part, are constantly
making efforts to induce the children. even If they
badly clad to form clcanly habits and to be neat
if I'M rags. The morals and manners of children
are taught as well az their lessons. Teachers use
their discretion i'll the ventilation OF the several
class rooms, there being code for their guidance
there should be according to the HERALD's sug
gestion. In well regulated schools the principal
makes, should make, frequent visits to her class
rooms and be thus better able to detect coming from
the outside any defect in the atmospheric condition.
and she then to it herself In regard to heating
believe most of the schools heated by steam
This delicate matter to regulate where the build
ing large and the currents and draughts OF air are
numerous. The temperature of the rooms is sup
posed to be taken twice day. With regard to the
foul odors and emanations from the water closets
and urnais think where there is no other way of
getting rid of them for want of space they should be
taken above the roof