Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-02
Boston Has First One Of
Kind in America.
How The Infected Children Are
Treated and Taught.
Several Have Already. Been Bene-
fitted by Experiments.

outdoor school In America Mt w h'''"
about 1t Is to miss one of the most sig
ni.icant movements in the entire educa-
tional world at the present tilne' Al
though the segregation of anaemic cniid-
rem has been thought OF and talked OIL
4 for a long time, the actual operation OF
such plan might have been delayed sthl
further had not the Association for the
Relief and Control Of tuberculosis taken
the initiative. To that organization. 20
the trustees Of the ConsumptlVes Hos
pital, TO the school committee ana 10 the
park commission, is due tn, establish
rnent OF this wonderful interesting On
pertinent
When the picturesque refectory was
built in Franklin Park it was believed
that it would become financially success
1ul But it failed. For years ii has bean
deserted. except for part OF the lower
floor used as a reading room Of the pubic
library. To those most interested IN the
question Of children below III" norma! in
health this seemed to be an ideal place
for n school. and on Jan. Il. Miss Helen
NJ Mead. with a little group Of boys and
girls, started the pioneer work Since
Oct. Il, this teacher, who is Il marvel OF
patience and tact, had been in charge or
the school on Parker Hin. where the as
sociation established the first day camp
for tuherculous patients few years ago,
out OF which grew the present municipal
camp In Mattapan. Many things made
that place unfit for such an undertaking.
although a really good beginning was
made in the first chapter of the outdoor
school history
In this fine building more definite plans
can be carried out. To describe even one
day there would require many columns
OF space for the ungraded condition of
the children makes such a varied pro-
gramme as would sta.-ar the teacher
used to the demands vi OCULAR routine.
The constant aim is to give each child
individual care and attention: to know If
he or she is undertaking more study or
recreation than is good for the slender
body, already bearing burden OF the
disease and to watch that all the laws
of health are observed. The teacher has
innumerable details constantly before her.
Add to this the fact that her reports
must take due account of the three
RS" and some faint idea may be gained
of what the one in charge of this novel
class has to do.
One of the most interesting phases OF
the weeks since the school began is that
1t has held five more sessions i'll March
than the other schools. The children are
well on their way when the signal for no.
session sounds. They get to the park in
time for breakfast. which is served at
845 in the large room on the lower floor
near the Blue Hill avenue entrance.
'Tardy" marks are noticeably absent
from the report cards Windows fun of
blossoming plants and such pictures as
children love on the walls. make cheer
full atmosphere which is further accentu-
ated by the kindly faces of the teacher.
her assistant the matron. the helper. and
the janitor, all Of whom sit at the two
tables on which the best and most whole
some food Is served in abundance. Plenty
OF milk and eggs. cereals. cocoa, bread
and butter. crackers and cookies may be
had for breakfast and supper. The din
ners consist of stews soups. praised
beef and other hearty dishes. vegetables
with fruit. puddngs. dates. figs. or home
made candy for dessert. A division of the
simpler tasks gives the pupils oppor
turity to learn about cleanliness and
order and they perform these with zest
This part OF the days program is in
teresting. of course. but it is the school
itself that commands attention. An in
side room with wide doors opening on the
roof. was equipped with desks and chairs
for inclement weather. but it has not
been used. Instead. the children assemble
en- another part Of the roof where they
arc protected somewhat by canvas that
can he raised or lowered like piazza cur
tains. Here. in the widest weather land
there has been a good deal OF that kind
within the past few weeks) they draw
paint. sing and recite. and go through
their warming up" exercises.
When dinner is over the rest hour be-
gins. Steamer chairs are brought out
The boys and girls crawl into the brown.
wool-lined bags that make them look like
a funny kind of cocoon. and they roll and
tumble with great glee. to the spot Sc
lected on the gravelly roof, right in the
teeth of the gale. as the sailors say. or
beneath the sun. II it happens to he shin
ing The weather plays no part what
ever In this section a the program. I'M
less the rain Is heavy, when maps are
taken in the school section. Even there.
which is slightly protected the wind
howls. the canvas beats like the sails OF a
ship and the most ardent fresh air mend
would wonder how these little folks could
snuggle and be asleep in a short time
under such conditions. But they wake up
refreshed and are soon ready for books
or play. 1t should be kept in mind that
all are warmly clad with garments given
by the association. Each has his own
bag and blankets.
Twenty-one children are enrolled in the
school now. There haVy been a. since it
opened, and Of that number 16 have re-
turned to their regular school work. with
the consent of the association officers.
A few have gone without receiving this
consent The children. for the most part, !
look to be in excellent condition. some
are even robust: but it is not easy to tell
by outward signs the actual condition
when the insidious disease is working in |
the sy stem. The pupils keep daily records |
of sunrise and sunset, general weather
conditions, care Of the teeth. their own
temperature, etc. Their nature study |
books are interesting. with colored |
sketches Of all the birds they have seen |