The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-01

so tho nome, III IL way HpL ooHc ny hHs |
other grade OF school work. with tho
negro childs natural early precocity,
his need of home training and the early
forming OF good habits, and the ability
OF a Kindergarten to mako an ally OF
the home. is not tho value OF this spa
cial typo OF education to tho negro
child worthy OF thoughtful consldera-
ton?
LEONARD P. Ayres, of tho Russell Sage
Foundation. in his recent exhaustive
investigation OF "Lasgards in ouh,
Schools" in rating the efficiency Of
tho Richmond schools. as based upon
the number carried through the gram
mar schools, and especially upon the
time found necessary to complete the
grades below the high school. rates the
white schools as eighteenth on the list
and the negro schools as flfty- first on
the list. Need the discrepancy be SO
great? Might we not do better IL we
begin a. little earlier in the life OF the
negro child?
Our third and last point is the need
for more adequate medical inspection
In the schools. DR.. NJ. D. Hoge. Of the
School Board. has given much time
and thought to this work. but 1t Is
still in the incipient stage. In tho two
grades OF Marshall School examined
with any degree OF thoroughness, out
Of 4oo children, 102. or Fl per cent,
were found defective as to lungs. What
does the confinement OF these children
under ordinary school conditions, and
their constant presence In the school
room with healthy children, mean in
the development and spread of tuber-
culosis? Sixty per cent. of the chill
dren examined wege found to be de-
| fective as to tonsils and 81 per cent. as
to adenoids-both troubles a constant
menace to the growth and intelligence
of the child, and yet both easily relieved
l by proper medical attention. In the
/, total number of children, namely. 4o3,
. examined, 81 per cent. were found de-
I, fective in some particular In the
Baker School (colorcd) is per cent of
the children were defective as to heart
and lungs, and of those given special
examination for mostly relievable trou-
bes. % per cent. Were found defective
Medical Inspection.
| This is the record OF a. partial in
spectlon of two grades in two typical
schools In the light of these facts
can we afford to delay adequate med
| ical inspection of our schools and the
| speedy Introduction of the school
nurse. already proven TO be so potent
| a factor in the detection and relief OF
small ailments and the best medium
for inducing the family to carry out
the treatment found necessary by the
school doctor? The record of the
school nurse supported for three months
at tie High School, and of Miss Gull
Hey now at Marshall School. both
maintained by the District Nurses AS
ISOLATION, confirms the experience o!
other cities as to the value of this
factor in the hygiene of the schoo'
child.
The movement inaugurated to-nigh'
to engage every official and citizens
group in our city in concerted effor
to conduct during next winter civil
week for Richmond is the work :hi
association has under consideration
We have reached a period in the iii
! OF Richmond where we feel the nee
of the inspiration which comes of tn
rsonification of our city. We nee
an ideal, the result OF a broadly con
ceived but practical plan. TO work to
!. wards---a plan which shall furnish no
only a basis for the physical develop
(, ment OF Richmond, but some comme
thought concerning her moral and in
tellectual growth A genuine study Q
ourselves as a community should forr
4 the groundwork for any adequat
: thought of ourselves in the futur,
: The community. like the individual
must first understand itself before TIL
6 lines of It's symmetrical growth ca
p take shape in the common mind an
. the spirit which brings our dreams Z
pass be born in the heart OF Its people
II The widespread and hearty interes
i which this suggested idea has awak
! ened In the various associations co
. operating with us this evening argue
a hopefully for its fultilment. The Rich
mond Education Association would
count itself happy If. in conjunction
: with other forces working in our nlds
= for civic development it might do IT
honest part to make our city truly =
City of the Future"
Respectfully submitted,
MARY COOKE BRANCH MUNFoRp,
: President Richmond Education Asso
citation.