New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-18
OF INTEREST TO TEACHERS
IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS
AND EQUIPMENTS.

roxvrxrroN IN Nxw.YoRK-NBw METHODS
or HEATING. LIGHTING AND VENT.
LATINO OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ANp~c1EANLINEss ny MOD
ERN DEVICES
Tho educators who came to this city from all
parts OF the State at the beginning OF this month
to attend the convention OF the state Teachers
Association gained information OF value to them
selves In two wsya IN their meetings at the Nor
NAL College they listened TO the reading OF papers
and no spseches BY prominent members OF the as
soc.ton and thus got new Ideas by an inter-
change OF views. They also witnessed an !mpor-
tant exhibition Of school work and devoted cohs'a-
cradle time to visiting places OF interest IN inc
city. Some Of the visiting teachers declared tha'
their chief benefit was derived by going about the
city and looking at things which can be seen ohiS
in the metropolis. OF particular Importance 10
MANY OF the teachers were the improvements they
were able to in the lighting. heating ana Veh'E
lation Of new school buildings. OF when Ne"-1orA
now has some Of the finest in the world the I'M
provements in sanitary plumbing and the Improved
arrancements for cleanliness In schoolrooms.
In the papers and speeches heard at meetings OF
tho association the teachers dealt chiefly with MAJ
tiers of theory In their inspection OF places in the
city the teachers learned more about matters Oh
fact They were able in many places the
best theories put into practical operation Inc
schools of the great city have been held up as
models for tho schools of other cities OF the e'a'e
and tho visiting teachers were eager to ascertain
the points IN which the New-York schools excel
The kindergarten schools were OF particular inter-
est 70 MANY of the teachers who were unfamilaT
with city schools.
There was a general discussion by the teachers
regarding the Ideal system of education ana inc
discussion had so wide range that the merits Oh
manual and physical training In the Schools 'he
,mnortance OF musical training. the value OF attn
latte snorts tho Influence of parents in home study,
the encouragement of outdoor studies OF art ana
nature and the value Of chlldrens organizations
,or the nursuit OF knowledge were made matters Of
interest at the meetings.
a. might be expected at such gathering OF
teachers. the discussion dealt with public instruc-
ton TO the exclusion Of instruction in private
schools and the only system Of education In which
the teachers appeared to have interest was the
system Of public instruction. They evidently agreed
with Charles r. Skinner the State superintendent
of Public instruction, who made an ADDRESS al the
convention and said that the State should nave
charge of the education Of those who were TO he
IFS citizens In the course Of his address MT SKIN
ner said:
..The State must In every way possible promote
the intelligence and culture of its subjects Its
control over the education of its people Is aoso-
Lutte It's obligation to provide education is i'm
peratve 1t can never safely surrender Its controi
nor honorably evade its obligation
Let The State Of New-York express It's gratitude
in suitable school buildings and grounds for the
children. in generous salaries 10 teachers and SUI
perysory officers. and it will build monument
worthy Of its name and fame.
THE State has a right 10 demand from the
schools that children be trained first Of al TO thor
ouyh mastery Of the studies in the elementary
course Less than this schools ought not to ex-
meet TO give Every pupil in every school In the
State Of New-York ought TO be required to master
that course before school life is over. with eie
mentary studies as the foundation pupils may 60
onward and upward in their education. nut The
foundation in every instance must be laid strongly
honestly thoroughly But with these studies
should be taught courtesy of manner politeness OF
speech, refinement of thought and genuine culture
Of life The Safe has right to expect also that
pupils from the beginning of their course. be I'M
bued with the spirit of honesty. with the love Of
truth and purity. with integrity of thought and ac-
lion Eluraton. 10 be successful. can never be
one-siGcd. While il is never the province OF the
State to teach religious truth after the distinctive
tencts OF any form of belief II enphatichll! Is the
duty of the State 10 see that children are taught
the highest and purest morality. lnasmuch as TINS
IS q Christian Common; wealth, the State must de-
1nand that the schools incucate Christian moral
ity.''
Much time was spent by the teachers In discus
sion Of the value and Importance OF physical eoU-
cation at the schools II was admitted by all mat
scholars must be taught the value of health and
must have training to develop their bodies as well
as their minds. Physical training. 1t was SAID
should produce correct carriage OF The body' cor
rect respiration and harmonious muscular devel-
opmcnt. and should aid functional activity and
mental development
A, tho same time II was admitted that the health
Of the scholars depended largely the sanitary
conditions Of the schools, and many OF the teach-
ers learned useful lessons by inspections OF the
model school buildings In the city. AT some OF
those buildings they arrangements sadly
needed in many schools Throughout: the
stote for the health and comfort OF the
children OF particular interest 10 the teach-
ers were the improved methods for heating
and ventnatng the classrooms In the large schools
They said that they fr Aquently had been unable 10
prevent the drcwsiress and inattention OF their
pup,ls because the air in the schooirooms became
ytlated from lack o. proper ventilation at times
when IL was necessary 10 have windows closed IN
cold weather. Some Of the teachers said they
taught ir schools where Of the children were
almost roasting near the stoves or radiators whi'e
other children In the room ere nearly free%
ing end the air III the room became so foul thai
the health of all the children was In danger l,
was n pleasure they declared. TO know that school
rooms could be heated evenly in all parts and still
kept perfectly ventilated by modem devices. and
they said 1t the duty OF the state TO nave sucf
appliances In every school for the sake OF tho
children who were being educated at the public ex
pense.
o} eou,l tmpor,ancc in the view Of the teachers