The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1909-07-15


children SHOULD eat. It explains so
plainly that every fond mother may
read just how many grams Of pro-
TENS, how many Of fat and how many
of carbohydrates should be packed
into every lunch basket, and It tells
how many calories of heat every
schoolboy should extract from said
basket.
The article was prepared by Caro-
line L. Hunt at the request OF Elmer
Ellsworth Brown, United States Com
missioner of Education. Mr.. Brown,
in a letter TO the Secretary Of the In
terror says that the article is not to
be regarded as a special plea for the
feeding of school children at public
expense nor for any special project
or reform. 1t is intended merely to
contribute to an Intelligent discus
sion of such plans,
ut has seemed to me-" writes the
commissioner, that a wider knowl-
edge Of numerous facts relative to
wholesome meals for school children
and the wholesome serving OF such
meals could be made to help materi-
ely in the promotion also Of their
mental health and vigor This con-
viction has been deepened by con-
sultation with the representatives OF
several Of the more important volun-
tary organizations in this country
which concern themselves with mat
ters Affecting the welfare OF chill
dren."
Miss Hunt tells of results attained
in some CT the New York schools
where the children are fed:
In the Speyer School, a primary
school cf New York City, set aside
as a practice school for Teachers Col
iege, every child from the kindergar-
ten to the third grade is given a cup
Of milk and a graham cracker at
half past ten o'clock. The children
first rest for a few minutes with their
heads down on their desks. A paper
napkin is then placed on each desk
and the milk and crackers are passed
Another napkin is given for use by
the child. If the child is able he pays
thirty-five cents a month for this
food. but If unable he is fed with the
others and the knowledge of his pow
erty is not allowed to reach the Other
children.
The principal Of the school reports
that as the year advances there is al
ways a marked improvement in the
condition of the children, probabl!
due to the fact that the food whicl
they take between meals is Of whole
some character and is taken with reg
ularity. She reports also a great i'm
provement in table manners. Chill
dren who begin by scattering crumb
quite recklessly end by eating in yer,
orderly fashion.
At the Hebrew Technical Schoo
for Girls, also in New York City
every girl receives q cup Of milk o
cocoa in the middle OF the forenoo
and at neon soup is sold by the schoo
at one cent a bowl.
Here Also" says Miss Hunt, "
marked improvement in physical cor
dition is noted as the school year ad
vances."
These examples are cited to sho'
that It has been found helpful I
|, give food to young pupils during th
school session even when there is n
reason to suppose they are sufferin
from undertaking.
Miss Hunt has observed that plan
, for feeding children in schools hav
always originated with those who ar
in charge of backward students. Tn
writer goes on:
Miss Farrell, now in charge Of III
, undergraduate schools Of New Yor
City, reports an interesting exper
: ment made by her when teacher
a the special class in Public School N
/, l. It was discovered that the boys
, this class were usually locked out
! home during the day because the
\ mothers we're at work. They wei
given a few pennies to buy 100
These pennies had usually been spei
for such things as ice cream sam
. wiches and ginger beer. Miss Fa
rell began to serve milk at one Gel
a glass and to encourage the boys
: | bring a bread and butter sandwiC
: from home. Later the food whiC
- was prepared by the cooking class
: was served to these boys. The co
= Of the domestic science work was n
increased and the lessons BEGAN
. more real because of their usefu
- ness"
- Miss Hunt adds that Of the twel'
r boys in this class Of Miss Farrell
p that sat down to the first scho
:. t,,noboo, ov,l,, ono had eat at n tah