The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-07
A SCHOOL ON A ROOF
A Real Fresh Air Experi- ment in Chicago Proves that .Out Doors" Is Good for Children Winter and Summer.
SHERMAN c. KINGSLEY Suppl United Charities of Chicago

(Exclusive Service The Survey Press
 Bureau.)
 You cannot have consumption in three rooms, on five dollars a week with any success. The poor cannot afford it; the community cannot af- ford it. The entire budget of the best financed charity organization in the world cannot adequately provide milk, eggs. diet, sleeping appliances for porches, better quarters, rent, an equivalent for wages which will give necessary rest and cessation from toll to the victims of this disease. The only salvation is prevention. We have to execute flank movements and cut it off.
 The Open Air School now carried on by the United Charities of Chicago is one such effort Last summer the Chicago Tuberculosis Institute con ducted such a, school for thirty chill dren for about many days. It gathered in group of limp, pallid, were listless, inattentive, uninterested and uninteresting. A thirty days regime Of intelligent care and feeding, of exercise and rest, resulted in an average gain of seven pounds, and in the opinion of the teachers made the pupils an average group of children in alertness, ability to sit up and take instruction and to keep up sustained interest in their work Some people thought that this was all very well as warm weather enterprise but that
  clothing and the approach of cold weather. To convince these doubters and to clinch progress already made, it seemed very desirable that the ex- pertinent be continued here, as it has been elsewhere, during the winter.
 This was made possible by a grant of $2, 800 from the Elizabeth Mccormick Memorial Fund. a memorial to a child, who, although she lived but twelve years, displayed exceptional traits of character. Her interest and sympathy for the unfortunate. her thought and activities in their behalf would have done credit to a person of much ma turer years. The trustees of the fund are wisely encouraging movements that promise far reaching social sig nificance. The Board of Education is cooperating with the. open air school enterprise by furnishing the teacher, desks and school equipment. : Although the different ages of the graded class. and notwithstanding the division of time necessary to this mod flied school regime. the teacher has undertaken the work witlAa spirit and zeal that are insuring sIecess.
 The school has aroused a great deal of interest through the press and among educators and philanthropists. It is one of many forces that will doubtless result in more fresh air and better health not only for this class of children but for all children in the lating systems will not work unless the windows are, shut; consequently they are kept shut Then the venti- lators fail to work anyway Loyalty to a ventilating system seems like bad case of misplaced veneration.
 The floor of the building on which the school is situated is. forty by sev- enty feet. The portion within the en- closure is about thirty by fifty feet. | The tent in which the desks are To- | cated is made of asbestos board so | that it is fireproof and stands the test | of wind and storm. The windows about the sides lift so that there is knT0 fair weather the children take their rest hour in the open. Meals are served in the dining room, two floors below and the daily bath is taken in bath rooms in the building proper.
 The Eskimo suits have not been used in any similar school. During their | ped in blankets, but restless children often displace the blankets and be- come more or less exposed. while the warm loose fitting suits stay in place. | Moccasins similar to those used by l lun1bermen are worn.
 This was probably the one school in and girls refused to take a vacation. They came back. every one, asking that the school go on during the Christmas vacation On this count is unique.
 The daily routine of the school is as follows:
 7:so to 8, Rise and dress.
 8, Breakfast at home.
 g, Arrive at school
 9 to 9:30. Bath (cold-)
 9:30 to 10, Lunch
 10 to 11:45, Study, recitations and breathing exercises.
 11:45 to F. Wash face and hands ready for dinner.
 F to 12:30, Dinner.
 12:30 to 12:45 Prepare for rest per iod-brush teeth. etc.
 12:45 to ?, Rest.
 ? to 3:so, Study and recitations.
 3:3O to 3:45, Temperature, instruction in hygiene. breathing exercises.
 3:45 to 4:15, Recreation.
 4:15 to 4:30, Lunch.
 4:30, Leave school for home.
 6:3O, Supper at home.
 8.30, Bed. Farmer Want Ads 1c a word