Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-03-10
SCHOOL SITES.

In every line Of work aid profession, the
opinions Of lifelong students and recog
nized authorities bear weight in the final
decision Of matter. This is reasonable.
Since there has been much suggested,
and various sites for school purposes have
been offered and pointed out it surely can
not be amiss to give the opinions Of several
authorities on this matter Of importance
Edmund March Wheelwright, Of Boston,
is perhaps the most recognized OF school
architects After an exhaustive study Of
the subject Of sites and buildings both in
America and in Europe, he expresses him
self as follows: In selecting school site
a dry location, one that is reasonably level
and on unfrequented streets, well removed
from stables, from factories and workshops.
should be sought. The space for the recrea
tion Of the pupils should be generous. =
Edward R. Shaw, late Professor OF Peda-
gogY in Columbia University, now super
intendent Of the Rochester schools, in his
work on school hygiene, says, In the first
place, site we'll back from the street is to
be desired. In the city, main street
should be avoided The school site must
not be chosen near industries which render
the air in their neighborhood charged with
various gases, smoke, or smells The site.
moreover, should not be near noisy indus
tries or a railroad. 1t should not be near
place where much dust is continually stir
red up, nor should site be chosen =
which filthy neighborhoods or dilsss
buildings come into view, neither shou
she site be in proximity to any neighbor
hood where degradation or immortality Of
any kind is likely to be witnessed by pu
pills on the playground or from the win
dows Of the school building. The site
should be large enough to admit of some
ornamentation OF the grounds, especially IN
the front Of the building, in order that the
influence emanating from the cultivation Of
the beautiful be not overlooked.
Severance Burrage, Professor of Sanitary
Science, Purdue University says: rs is
not advisable to locate the school bui ding
on main street. No school building
should be built in the vicinity of a noisy
factory, or an establishment otherwise
offensive Anything as noisy as = railroad
station or sawmiIl, or anything as bad
smelling as soap factory, lanyard, rubber
works, glusfactory, or gas works, is exceed
ingly questionable as school house neigh-
Dor. Police stations and fire-engine houses,
where sudden and distracting activity is
apt to occur, are best far away from schools.
No building should be within sixty feet Of
the school house on any side. The neces-
sity of playground is conceded, and no site
shonld receive serious consideration where
such can not be provided Outdoor recrea-
tion must not be discouraged or hindered
by the lack Of proper place for wholesome
play.''
Preston NJ. Search, Of Clark University,
in one Of his works on education. has the
following San ideal school should be
built in a park At least it should have
adequate grounds, preferably not in the
heart of the city. There is probably no
other assemblage of animals, cared for by
man, which in their culture are accorded 50
little ground, play and breathing space, as
children. No one would think of building
college without ample grounds surround
ing. Why should there be less provision
for children?''