New-York tribune., 1911-11-05
NEW OPEN AIR SCHOOL
Friends Decide to Have One for
Well Children.

Open air schools for delicate children or
those with tubcrcular tendencies have
become rather general in and around New
York during tho last few years. but the
normal children were still left in the reg
ular classrooms II the weak children de-
rived such wonderful benefits from the
sunlight ard fresh air. why should their
small stronger brothers and sisters be de-
prived Of them? go reasoned the trustees
OF The Friends School. in Schermerhorn
street, and urged to prompt action by Dr..
William II. Snyder. they fitted up three
classrooms on the roof.
These were formally opened on Wednes-
day afternoon, when the board Of trustees
and the teachers gave q reception to the
patrons Of the school. The kindergarten
room which has one side almost entirely
Of glass. made a most cheerful spot. With
its decorations Of chrysanthemums and
autumn foliage in which TO welcome the
guests. They were received by the prin-
cipal, Miss Nancy J. Adams: Mrs. Henry
c. Turner Mrs. Henry B. Seaman, Mrs
William T. Smith, Mrs. W. ID. c. McCloy,
Mrs Edward Morris, Mrs. Malcolm Orms-
bee Miss Ella Frances Woodward, Mrs
Henry Haviland and Mrs. Daniel Merritt
\ few OF those who dropped i'm to see
the new arrangement were DR.. aud Mrs
William II. Snyder, Dr.. and Mrs. Louis
Ager, Mr. and Mrs. viii Walter Jackson,
Mrs. Fred G. Bates. Mrs. Edward Morris
Mrs. w NJ. Simmons, Mrs. Clarence l.
Fabre, Mrs. Lionel Wurts, Mrs. T. b. Hal
lett pI. Rodney Fiske, DR.. and Mrs
Clark Burnham and Miss Barbara Burn
ham.
The situation Of the school is most ad-
vantagoous The roof is protected on the
north by high coping and on the cast
! and west Jy the adjoining buildings which
are about a story higher The southern
exposure is entirely unobstructed. 50 that
# gets the sun from early morning until
after school hours. Part Of the roof is
covered by Al awning, and under this are
the two kindergarten divisions and the first
primary grade. When the school was WIS.,
tied the children had just come up from
recess in the yard and Healthier. happier
looking group could not have been found
anywhere. The air was just sharp enough
10 bring the roses into their cheeks and
the sparkle into their eyes, but the cold
did rot get a chance 20 penetrate their
little bodies. for before sitting down each
was carefully wrapped in a blanket robe.
When the weather gets moro severe they
are 10 have the regular bags incosing the
feet and body, so the teachers expect that
they viii be able to keep them outdoors in
ali but the most severe weather. This ar
rangement oVercOmes the objection OF some
parents TO tho kindergarten and early
schooling on the ground Of It's confnng a
child indoors ct too early an age. There.
high NJ on the roof away from all noise
Of the street. there is an abundance of
sunlight and fresh air, Of which no child
can over get too much At the same time.
his mind is being trained at the most
susceptible period.
on the other part of tho roof are ia bles
and chairs protected from drafts by
screens, and there the higher grades 20
when the nature OF the study permits the
leaving Of the classroom.
The school is I'm no wise intended for
children i'm the class first mentioned and
the trustees hardly deem it necessary 10
say that no child would be admitted who
might be a menace TO tho health Of others.
The benefits of life in the open cannot be
overestimated. and it was on this principle
and with the idea in view OF conserving
child health rather than as a preventative
measure. that tho outdoor classes were
established.
The Friends School is just beginning it's
forty-ffth year. occupying the present
building. adjoining the meeting house.
since 1902 It's course Of study ranges from
the kindergarten through tho high school.
preparing for college those who may wish
To enter. Some of the children in attend
ance there now are John Taylor Sherman.
son of Mr. and Mrs Frederick Demng
sherman; Lewis Mills Glib. jr.. Mr.. and
Mrs Roscoe C. T.. Browns two little sons.
Laurence and Truman. Alexander NJ.
White. ir, the Sussdorn children. Lyman
Burnham. Mr. and Mrg. II. Edward
Dreier's children, Eliot Pratt. jr.. Mr. and
Mrs. Daniel r. Merrtts little daughter,
Miss Louise Howard Merritt: Weldon WI
mans Freeman. jr.. Chester Burroughs
Freeman, and Henry S. Fabre. son OF Mr
and Mrs. Clarence l.. Fabr6.