Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-15
Physical Welfare of Pupils.

.Yn my recommendations / call attention
to the provisions for the physical welfare
of the children. believing that the first pur-
pose of education should be the develop
ment of a sound body.
Il consider the supplementary uses OF
school buildings, calling attention to those
found TO Il much less extent in the schools
OF Washington than in those of other large
cities of our country.
a urge large increase in school accom-
modationS an increase rendered imperative
by the passage of the compulsory educa-
ton law. The reorganization of the board
OF education makes timely the considera-
ton of the much-criticised system of school
supervision.
II am glad to record the successful de-
velopmont of the high schools. noting the
Importance of constant expansion. l have
examined the statistics OF attendance.
These reveal a startling decrease in attend
ance from the lowest grades of the primary
schools TO the entrance grades OF the II n
schools.
The fact that a great majority of the
schOot children get no further than the
grammar grades demands, in my opinion,
u Encouragement of the primary and gram
mar grades, so that more wisely adj
justed course of training may be provided
my recommendations are as follows:
First, the physical welfare of the school
children should receive more attention
Bvery school should have a playground.
gymnasium and shower bath. At present
these provisions. and many have none of
them. The exercise ground. the gymnasium
and the baths should be under competent
direction. This work should be as much a
part of the school system that of the
class room. The playground. the gymna-
stun and the baths should also be available
In summer. wherever there Is need for them.
Second. the public school buildings
should be more extensively used. The
night school and public lecture systems.
which have already accomplished excellent
-tx.x - IA
cieties, debating clubs and other organiza-
lions seeking to promote the intellectual
and social welfare of their members should
be allowed the use OF school buildings at
rental which would cover the expense OF
care and lighting Such use OF school build
tngs is now made I'm New York, Boston
Philadelphia, Chicago and many other cit
les.
Third. a careful examination of the sys-
tern of supervision of the schools is needed
in view of frequent criticisms to the effect
that 1t Is cumbersome. inefficient and not
economical
Fourth, large increase In the number
OF sittings Is imperatively needed. Accord
Ing 10 the census made BY the police during
the school year about 700 children are out
of school. According to other authorities the
number is about 1000. The latter estimate Is
probably nearer the truth. as shown by a
careful canvass OF certain sections of the
city. undertaken subsequently TO that made
by ths police.
Fifth. the status OF the high. manual
training. business and normal schools ap-
pears to be excellent. but there Ii q steady
demand for the enlargement of the manual
training and commercial schools which
should receive prompt attention. The most
pressing need of the schools in the recent
past. an increase In the salaries of the
teachers. has been remeded by recent legis-
lation.
Compulsory Attendance Law.
sixth. the compulsory attendance law
should be strictly inforced. and parents
should BE- urged to keep their children at
school throughout the entire primary
course. and also through the grammar
course when possible According to the
last annual report of the board OF educa-
ton. there were In the first grade of the
primary school 0. 126 children. In the first
high school grade there were 1,S22 "a diff
ference OF 1904. From this II appears that