Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1910-12-16
TEACH CHILDREN
IN OUT DOOR SCHOOLS
How The Project Suggested
For Staunton by The Anti
tuberculosis League is
Worked Outin Many Places
in This Country And Eu-
rope---Expensive But Eff
ficacious

The suggestion that steps be taken
to establish an open air school in
Staunton, made last Monday at a
meeting of the Anti tuberculosis Lea
gne by DR.. J. M. Payne, and the ap-
pointment of committee to consider
the project has aroused considerable
in terest.
Prof. J. P. Neff, superintendent Of
schools, has taken deep interest IN
the general subject Of open air
schools, and without either opposing
or indorsing such q project for
Staunton has this to say on the sub
jsot
Some one has said that the two
greatest discoveries of recent times
are the value of children and the vir-
tues of an open air life. All will
not a2rse, perhaps, in according the
highest place to these discoveries,
but there can be no question that the
pnbllc mind has been wonderfully
awsk sne1 along these lines during
the last few years.
The open air schools have passed
the experimental stage in Germany
and become an integral part of the
elementary school system. They are
fast coming into general favor in
England, est
In this country the first open air
school was begun January 2, 1908, q
little less than three years ago.
While they must still be regarded IS
an educational innovation, the good
results that have everywhere attended
them compel the attention of intelli-
gent public opinion. They are an
object lesson of the pre-eminent
value of sound health. They appeal
to all men who are chsritably and
humanity disposed. They bring to-
gether the highest skill of the two
complimentary professions-the med
ical profession which cares for the
welfare of the body and the teaching
profession, which cares for the mind
and soul. Here the old adage of "a
sound mind in a sound tody" is q
last in the twentieth century, prac-
tically and effectively needed.
The open air schools are something
more than schools. The object is
two-fold, first, to benefit the children
physically and secondly, to give them
special physical treatment in such a
way as to prevent any educational
loss. instruction is only one phase
of the open air school. The children
take their baths at school, are provid-
ed with wholesome food, and warm
''setting out" clothing. They also
receive strict medical examination
and care. It is really school saHa-
torium. Formal teaching is reduced
fifty per cent, and non-essentlals
are omitted. The following is the
program at Chariottenburg, a suburb
of Berlin. Children arrive at school
little before eight O'Clock in the
morning. Upon their arrival the
children receive bowl of soup and
slice of bread and b1tter Glasses
commence at eight o'clock with an
interval of five minutss after every
half hour of aching. At ten O'Clock
the children receive one or two glasses
of milk and another slice Of bread
and butter. After this they play,
perform gymnastic exercises. do man
ual work or read. Oiprer is served
at half past twelve and consists of
three ounces of meat with vegetables
and soup. After dinner the children
rest and sleep for two hours. For
this purpose folding chairs and rugs
are provided aud absolute quiet ie
required. There are some classes at
three o'clock, at four milk, rye bread
and jam are served. This is followed
BY informal instruction and play.
At a quarter to seven eoup, bread.
and butter are served. After this the
children return home.
In the English open air schools,
three good meals are served. In the
American open air schools, cooking
ranges, Kitchen. dishes, ETC., are 9
regular part of the school equipment
and the children are fed either by the
school authorities, by some charitable
hospital, or by some private benefac'
tion. The children are generally
provided with reclining chairs,
blsukets, overshoes, overcoats, sitting
outbags, cts.
It must be evident to all that chill
iren poorly clad and underfed could
not endure the cold of the open air
schools. Where the parents of the
children are able, they defray part
If all of the expense Of food and
4! olothiug. Perhaps majority of the
pupils who need the open air schools
,oall not provide the means to meet
5ae extra ex oenss.
Ualoubte lily notified open air
school might be maintained at small
expense, bat for the best results, q
considerable sum must be expended.
Wherever they have been tried, how.
.ver, tie berefits have beer. so mark
J that the schools have been consid-
red worth much more to the COM
nunity than their cost.
Opsn air schools are found in this
country, at Providence R. l., Boston,
New York, Chicago. Hartford. Roches-