The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-04-15
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
The need of medical inspection OF
the public schools was brought out at
the meeting OF the board OF education
last night, when Superintendent Sperry
told of the pathetic ease OF one little
hoy who is eager to learn, but can
scarcely hear anything, The teacher
has To shout into his car. but he tries
as hard as he can To hear and absorb
knowledge. He told of another kind
OF case. where boy of tubercular
family has IL cough and such clammy
hands that everything that he touches
is left damp. He told of one child, ID
one of the grades. whose vision is so
poor that its eyes twitch whenever
il strains them to try to sec what is
on the blackboard or in its book. The
parents have been spoken TO several
times. but are too poor to have the
child's eyes examined and fitted with
an education, and perhaps save its
sight. He also told of another lad
who seems bright in some ways, but
acts dcmented at times. and has an
idiotic expression sometimes that is
affecting Professor Sperry said that
he presumed that investigation would
show number of other cases.
Mr.. Blissenbach suggested that the
board have physician visit the
schools once month or once i'll two
70 lAAl- s,1..h 10
said that this practice had been fol-
lowed in Europe for century.
Superintendent Sperry said that the
average cost of educating d pupil in
the schools is Sl5 to $40, and that
therefore the board was interested
financially where pupils have to be
turned back and have to remain longer
years because of inability to keep up
with the other pupils because of some
physical defect.
The best means of remedying the
situation were talked over. and some
suggested that the city VI county
physician be asked to attend to the
children referred to. As the families
of all are poor, but it appeared that
this work does not come under the
duties of the city physician, and that
it cannot he made the duty of the
county physician unless the eases are
sent to him by the county commits
siuner.
Mr.. Davies moved that the supcrin
temdent be asked to call COMMISSIONS
Noung's attention to the matter, t.
be investigated, and this was carried
The meeting was attended by nj
of the members except Mr. Bishman
The formal resignation of Miss
end of the year, was read, i'll which
she expressed thanks to the board an,
superintendent for kindnesses shown
\ communication was received from
Miss Anna r.. Wiecking, i'll which sh
expressed desire not to be transfcrre'
from the kindergarten primary depart
ment Of the Franklin to that of tn
Pleasant Grove school unless the boar,
wished III The board made this trans
fer at the last meeting. thinking tina
she preferred to be nearer home. Til
request was granted.
Sure Sign of Spring.
The superintendent was nstructe
to see that the Pleasant Grove boy
discontinue throwing stones into j. N
Broome's garden. This annoyance oc
ours annually, and causes much com
plant on the part of Mr.. Broome.
"Mr. Broome has bought 'rcvolvc
and threatens to use it, and if he get
after the boys they will think tina
something more serious than ii weathc
prophecy is coming" declared NJ
Scherer.
Mr.. Schcrer reported that he had al
ranged with Lamn's orchestra to pla
at the graduating exercises, June
and the board ratified this. Superb
tendent Sperry also reported that Ii
had negotiated for the use of TIL
opera house for the same OCCASION.
The board voted to purchase IA cop
of the Lives of the Governors" fC
the high school library, on the recon
mendation of the school committee.
Some More Elections.
The board unanimously reelected Mis-
Mabel Rinallo teacher of the fir:
and second grades of the West MAI
kato school, and advanced her salar
to $3.50 month.
Mr. Scherer, for the special commi
tee appointed to secure plans for tt
new high school building, reportt
that ten architects will submit plai
in competition. The plans are to
received April l6, and he desired
special meeting of the board later.
1t was voted to transfer Miss Ba
bara Mansfield from the kindergarten
primary department of the West Ma
kato school to the same grade in tt
Pleasant Grove. next year, to slcce'
Miss Olcson.
Superintendent Sperry reported TIN
twelve of the teachers have not a
cepted their recent election.