The record-union., 1898-03-04
SCHOOL REFORMS.

Some days ago the Record Union"
gave an outline of proposed reforms in
school work advanced by a member
of the Board of Health of Philadelphia.
They related mainly to conserva-
ton of the physical well-being of chill
dren in school life. We at that time
invited expressions from parents and
teachers, in short, straight to the CEN
ter" letters. One of these appeared
yesterday in these columns, and fairly
opens a debate of first Importance,
which the Record Union" trusts will
be somewhat extended and carried on
without asperity or feeling. What we
wish is to ascertain how these ques-
tons proposed for answer in Philadel-
phia address the minds of parents and
teachers in California, as by this means
the public can sooner and better arrive
at just judgment.
The first letter ON the subject came
from q cultured. observant and very
thoughtful parent, who has not forgot
NN-@ ZIG 0eNS VI liCI yOQNu, HOT DECOulG
insensible with age to the rights of
children, the chiefest of which is the
right to be we'll and healthfully trained
up 20 vigorous maturity. What is
wanted IS frank expression and facts, not
mere speculation. The public wish to
be informed of the results OF actual
experience rather than the theoretical
views of those who treat on these
subjects.
That expression may be confined to
the lines originally laid down. the
Record Union" repeats the PROPOSE
tons made by DR.. Karsner, since they
involve very interesting questions, and
it is desirable to know whether they
have any or what application to school
methods in California. If they need
reform, the way to 1t is by free and
generous expression and statement of
evidence indicating the need.
DR.. karsner's propositions are that in
all schoolhousesin Individual drinking cups
should be used, as he holds that cups
80 NOAA%A41SA 1AG NAAC NCli(ltS iQE LIaQS~
mission Of disease, and especially the
diseases to which children are most
subject Second he would have all
growing plants banished from the
schoolroom. as they are held TO be a
menace to health. Third, all desk i'm
plements should be sterilized frequent
~, and use of them in common for
hidden Fourth, all hat and cloak
rooms should be frequently disinfected,
and the clothing kept therein for each
child should be kept distinct and apart
from that of any other pupil In the
closets there should be allotted twenty
one cubic inches OF fresh air per pupil
with complete change eight times an
hour.
Fifth. stricter enforcement of the
laws of personal cleanliness, and to
that end there should be special. plain
and frequent instruction in the general
laws Of health and the rules sanitary
science has evolved as essential To
good health. Sixth, mental application
- ~%@A%@A "a N~N %AAS N4AAAS ~ 0E IESNIlEtEE
to fifteen minutes for children between
o and s years Of age, from to 1C
twenty minutes. from 10 to II twenty
FIVE minutes. from IA to IS half an
hour. Seventh, study should be inter
rupted at these periods; If not done, a
strain sets up that is dangerous tc
the nervous and general system. This
change can be made with light-movine
exercises or any pleasant relaxation
Eighth, at noon a fun meal for every
child. Ninth, in the afternoon the Least
iaborious of study and exercise, and
afternoon sessions 10 be no longer ii
any srade than two hours. Tenth, on
no account whatever should there b.
any keeping in after school hours, as
there Is no gain in it, but much harm
These matters naturally bring into con.
sideration some others. such as study
at home. multiplicity of studies. over.
taxing out of school, performance OF
exercises. etc.
The Cleveland "Plaindealer'' pub
fishes. with evident faith in its verify
the statement that "a Chinaman car