The Portland daily press., 1892-01-04
SCHOOL GYMNASTICS.
The Committee Are Discussing Their In
PRODUCTION.

A special meeting of the school COM
mittee was held Saturday evening. Pres
emit: Messrs. Bradley, Mcdonald, Webb,
MCGOWAN, Donham and Baker.
Upon motion of Mr.. Webb, Miss Bed
low, of the Jackson Grammar School,
was transferred to the High School, at
salary of $500, to take the place left va
can't by the death of Miss Warren. No
steps were taken toward filling Miss Bed
lows position.
Mr.. Webb then said that DR.. Whittier,
of the Sargent Gymnasium, was present
upon his (Mr. Webb's) suggestion and in
vitation, in order that the committee
might ask some questions in regard to
the introduction of gymnastics into the
Portland schools.
DIR. Whittier said he thought in city
like Portland the best way of introduce
ing system would be to have some per-
son have supervision of the whole work,
for time long enough to get the teach
ers instructed. The instructor would
teach the teachers alone, and have gen.
eral supervision of the work of the
teachers with the scholars. This is the
method pursued in Boston. The teach
ers, in half dozen lessons, could be fit
ted to begin work with the scholars; but
in order to have the work progress the
instruction of the teachers should con-
tinue year or So. At first, no equip
ment at all would be required. The
Swedish system would be preferable in
the lower grades, and the German in the
higher. The work could be done in the
ordinary school rooms. The first year
there would be no cost for apparatus. A
competent instructor in gymnastics
might be hired to come here two days
week and do fair work; but DR.. Whittier
thought it would pay the city of Port
land to hire an instructor TO devote his
whole time. The cost of this would not
be far from $1,000 to $500 year. In
Boston, the instructor was paid $4,000
yearly. Fair work might be done, how
ever, by an instructor who should come
here one or two days week, and instruct
the teachers.
With regard to the ability of scholars
to stand the exercises, DR.. Whittier said
it would be rare that scholar able to go
to school would not be able to take the
exercises. The work might begin in the
primary schools; but he thought it
would be as well to begin in the interme-
diate schools with children from to II
years of age. The High School girls
might be forced to modify their manner
of dress.
Dr.. Whittier visited the Swedish and
German schools last summer. The
scholars in both countries, especially in
Sweden, are fine specimens of physical
health, far ahead of American school
children. The girls especially, are strong,
and even take such exercises as running,
vaulting, etc.
The physical training has the effect of
frightening up the children mentally. 1t
had this effect in Brunswick and in Bos-
ton. 1t also strengthens them bodily,
remedying round shoulders, hollow
chests, etc.
DIR. Whittier said he thought that if
the teachers were enthusiastic, the intro
duction Of the training into Portland
schools. would be easy; and Superintend-
ent Lord assured him on this point by
saying that ia teachers had petitioned
for it.
The board voted DR.. Whittier vote of
thanks for the time he had given the
committee.
The committee have not come to any
conclusion; but will hold the matter I'M
der consideration. If Dr.. Whittier's du-
ties at Bowdoin will permit him, it may
be possible to secure his services one day
week. This would enable the commit
tee to begin the work favorably.