The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-12
MAKE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS MORE SAFE Important Step Taken By Board
 of Education WORK FOR HEAL HI CULTURE New Department Is Felt To Be of Vital Importance for Proper Edu- cation and Protection of
 Pupils.
FOR HEAL HI CULTURE


 school yesterday at noon. Important ac-
 ton along several lines was taken, which
 will mean much toward the improvement of Birmingham's school system. The
 meeting of the board was fully attended, John w. Tomlinson, recently elected by the City Council, being enrolled on the
 board.
 John L. Parker, chairman of the ex- | ecutive committee, reported to the board
 that he had had an inspection of all school buildings in the city made by Building Inspector ". o. Mathews and l Chief A. V. Bonnet of the fire depart ment with reference to the safety of the | schools. It will be recalled that several weeks ago Chief Bennett addressed a communication to the board concerning matters relating to the safety of the school buildings. This report, with the report of the inspection by the building | inspector and chief of the fire depart | ment together with the recommendations l of the executive committee, were submit | ted to the board, which authorized the executive committee to carry out the rec | concentrations The recommendation | among other things, call for the construc- 1 tion of fire escapes on number of the 1 school buildings and an architect has been employed to draw plans for these es- | capes. The basements in several of the | schools will also be altered to some ex- l tent to prevent danger from fires. A report of the finance committee showed the tuition receipts for the past scholastic month to be S17S9.33. Col. Sam Will John, at the request of | the superintendent, submitted resolutions concerning the establishment of a health culture department in the schools which, after discussion and favorable comment, were referred to a committee. The step is quite an important one, and Dr. Phil lips considers it a paramount matter from the viewpoint of the improvement of the public school system. The resolutions,
 which are sef-explanatory, follow: Health Culture Department. Whereas, The most important factor in l tAC CQuCatiohdi BY otcit Ol oui Clty lS biO physical condition of the pupil; and "Whereas, The health of the child in school affects his intellectual and moral development and bears an intimate rela- ton to the general welfare of the entire community, be it
 Resolved. 1. That a department to be known as the department of health cul- Ao of the city, which shall be conducted like other departments, under the direction of the superintendent of schools.
 "2. That the work of this department
 shall consist as follows: Q) The man- tenance and direction of an approved sys-
 tenn of physical culture in every elemen- tary school in the city through class teachers as at present, and in the High
 school through gymnasium instructors. @ The direction of appropriate instruc-
 ton through class teachers in practical
 hygiene as applied in school and home.
 (3 The maintenance through the aid of
 principals and teachers of an effective
 system of physical examination with spe- cial reference to the discovery of defective
 eyesight and hearing, and other ailments
 that affect the child's welfare and impair
 his progress in school. All such defects shall be first reported to the home, and if not remedied shall be referred to the city health officer. (D This department shall have direct supervision of the san- tation of the buildings, the ventilation of the school rooms and such other condi- tions as may affect the health and safety of the children.
 ''3. That the superintendent of public schools is hereby authorized to secure as director of the health culture department a man especially trained for the perform ance and direction of the duties herein as speedily as practicable in the public schools of the city"
 Communicable Diseases.
 A schedule relating to communicable diseases, adopted by the Jefferson county board of health. was submitted and adopt ed and a copy ordered sent to every prac- ticing physician in the city. The schedule follows
 Pupils may return to school after hay ing had
 Scarlet Fever.-In not less than three weeks from date of rash. if desquamation shall have completely ceased, and there be no sore throat or discharge from ears or nose
 Measles.-In not less than two weeks if all desquamaton shall have ceased, and provided there be no cough or discharge from ears or nose.
 German Measles-In not less than two weeks, provided all evidence of disease has disappeared
 Chicken Pox and Smallpox-wh every scab has fallen off.
 Mumps.-In not less than two weeks, provided all evidence of disease has dis appeared.
 Whooping Cough.-As soon as character istc spasmodic cough has ceased
 Diphtheria.-As soon as all infiammatory reaction has disappeared, provided diph- theria bacilli are shown by proper cul- tural methods to be absent.
 No child suffering from any contagious inf1ammatory disease of the eyes shall attend any public school until all ca tarrhal symptoms shall have completely disappeared
 No child suffering from scabies, impetigo or other communicable skin diseases shall be admitted into any public school in the city,
 Pupils exposed must remain from school from date of exposure in case of
 niphtheria --Twelve days unless child