Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-11
SCHOOL IN OPEN AIR
Experimental Class Probably
will Be Opened Monday.
WARM CLOTHING PROVIDED
Children Also viii Be Furnished
Blankets When Needed.
SUCCESS IN OTHER CITIES
Promoters Hope Congress Will Pro-
vide Entire 0pen-Air Build
ing for District Glasses.
SUCCESS IN OTHER CITIES

The first open-air public school ever
conducted i'm this city will. it is expected,
be opened next Monday. The school,
which will use only one room in the
Blake building, North Capitol street. be-
tween X and l. streets, has been prop
erly equipped, consent of the parents of
the children who are to be in the class
to attend the school has been secured
and warm clothing has been provided,
mostly by persons who are interested in
the establishment of open-air schools in
Washington.
other large cities have open-air schools,
it was believed. until short time ago
that it would be impossible to establish
one here. Persons interested in the move
ment, however, urged the board of edu.
cation to provide at least one such room
this year, being convinced that the school
would prove such a success that Con-
gress would probably appropriate money
for an entire building to be set aside for
open-air scholars. Permission was grant
ed by the board of education recently.
and those interested in the matter imme-
diately started work on the ROOM
Not for Sick Children.
The open-air school is not, as is often
supposed, one for children afflicted with
tuberculosis, but is to aid In its 'preven-
ton in any instance where child might
be subject to it and to Improve the
health in general Of those who attend it.
Nor is the school an experiment, 1t is
pointed out. 1t has been tried IN other
cities and has been declared to be sue
cess. Measurements and the weight of
the children will be taken at regular in
tervals, probably once each month, and
their general health will be noted. Be
Sides. children who have colds will be
watched to see If such become better or
worse. Mental acuteness will be another
feature taken into consideration.
The children, Of course, will be clothed
more warmly than the children in the
rooms which are heated, and in addition
blankets will be provided which the chill
dren will wrap about the lower portion
Of their bodies. 1t was believed that the
blankets would prove more desirable than
the sitting bag, which many of the other
cities have provided as the blankets could
be thrown off more readily than the bags.
Furthermore. it Is pointed out. the
blankets may readily be made into bags
If it is found advisable. Hats will also
be worn IL 1t Is necessary.
Warm Drinks at Recess.
The children will be served hot milk.
cocoa or soup at the fifteen-ininute recess
which they have in the middle of the
morning period.
The children for the school will not be
picked specially, But will be the fourth
grade of the Blake School. taken as 1t
stands, containing thirty-five pupils. The
teacher Is Miss Sue Gardner. who is per-
senaIly interested In the open-air school
movement! "a Z
The room will be kept at q temperature
Of not less than 80 degrees nor more than
40. 1t will be shut off from the rest Of
the building by having the doors closed.
SO as not to AFFECT other rooms. The win
dows will be kept open from both top and
bottom.
1t is said by those interested that there
was no difficulty experienced In obtaining
the permission Of parents for the chill
dren to attend.