Middletown transcript., 1910-05-28
HOUSEHOLD LETTER
Feeding De sohoel ChiIdrsn

GHgAAAAAA hAAS 1Ne-NNo
Some months ago physician, who 10
an authority in bis field, stated before a
meeting of the Home Economics AssOcia-
ton of Greater Nav York, that ont of
555, ,525 children enrolled in the city
schools, 222,2lO we're iIl-nourished, and
that in the schools Of the whole country,
there were approximately 1,472,89 un-
der.fed pupils. The effect of insufficient
nourishment is manifested in stunted
growth both physical and mental, as we'll
as in lowering of the moral tone.
Ribot states that memory lie directly
dependent upon nutrition. The percent
age of under-fed children in the public
schools varies but is always sufficient to
appreciable lower the grades, as school
standards must be adapted to the average
capacity of the pupils, hence the progress
OF the normal child is retarded by his ILL.,
nourished neigbbor.
The state is especially concerned with
the proper nourishment of the body and
minds of its future citizens, body and
mind being simply different aspects of
the same problem, which must be solved
in some practical effectnal manner.
Individual initiative
School feeding is question that is re.
ceiVing earnest attention from educators
and public spitited men and women all
over the land, especially in the more con.
gested city districts. The highest per-
centags of half-starved children is found
in the lower ungraded or Kindergarten
classes. The trouble diminishing rapidly
in the older grades. In this movement,
as in almost every other grated in the
existing schoolsystem, private initiative
is needed to demonstrate les practicaIity
before civic and state authorities can be
induced to support il. Kindprgardens
and the teaching of Domestic Science and
Mechanical Training we're all first tried
out under private auspices before being
adopted by the state.
Pauperism And Class Distinction
Pauperism and the introduction OF class
distinction among the school children are
the two great obstacles to be met and
overcome, but we have the examples of
cities abroad, as we'll as several reasonably
successful experiments in our own schools
to,serve as guides in the work. In Ger.
many, where a paternal government
scientifically cares for the welfare of all
classes of its citizens who are unable to
fully guard their own interests, school
lunches gratis, or at nominal cost, are
regularly furnished. Ia Paris the feed
ing of the children of pauper parents
those helped by the city-Was begun in
1880 and quickly changed to include all
the children in certain schools. In Chris
tiania and other cities, Norway furnishes
nourishing noon meal to all the school
children who desire it, "Where all are
equally welcome none is pauper" they
say.
In American Cities
Associations of private citizens here
have already accomplished enough TO
point the way to more comprehensive |
work. One school in New York tried |
the plan Of having children in the un-
graded classes bring bread to school, and
then furnishing milk of excellent quality |
at penny glass. The food prepared in |
the cooking classes was also given to the |
younger children and teachers reported q |
marked beneficial effect. Some two years
ago the Salvation Army opened several
free lunch rooms for the school children |
which were not as successful, however, az
lunches served under the management of
committees of public spirited women.
Perhaps the tact shown in adapting the |
menu to the national faster of the child.
rem accounted for the difference. In one
district where Italians prevailed, maca-
rori was much appreciated dish, while |
in an Irish neighborhood good beef stew
was acceptable.
In Chicago
In Chicago one of the most successful |
lunches is served at the Goldsmith School
in Jewish neighborhood. The Johanna
Lodge, an Association of Women. has,
since 1902, furnished from 40 to 20 meals
> day at cost Of about $3.50 per year.
The plan here is to serve meals Immediate
ly after the opening of the sessions at 8
o'clock, and at one, to pupils designated
by the teachers. A great improvement
in health and progress has resulted,
in the kindergarten classes.
In Boston
Boston has perhaps made the greatest
progress in school lunches. Various
methods being tried to suit conditions in
grades and neighborhoods. The
Woman's Industrial Union, an effective
agency, serves excellent lunches at cost
in several schools including High Schools.
Rooms are provided in the school build
ings, and the lunch cooked in the associa-
tion kitchens is brought in wagons. In
several schools, here and in other cities
the teachers have provided crackers and
milk for their pupils. One Of the teach
srs in large public school at Roxbury-
! Boston suburb-fnding the children
absent on account of illness,
and realizing that lack of nourishment
was accountable for backwardness in their
studies, brought the matter to the atten-