Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-01

a week Or so, to put muslin screens In the
lower sashes of the windows, and thus
break to a certain extent the drauShtS
caused by varying winds. These children
are all more or less anaemic and under
weight, and while the cocoa is nourishing
we hope in time to provide full noon
meal. Soups and broths will be the prln-
ciple feature of the menu, which We plan
to make beneficial and inexpensive.
4 x
In practically all of the open-air
schools for sub-normal children of other
cities a rest hour with the proper ia
cilities for relaxation has been provided.
In the Stevens open-air class the pupils
have followed this precedent as nearly as
possible They present rather pathetic
little figures with their heads on their
desks and bund ed In their wraps and
blankets. But a glance at the expression
and general contour of the faces SO diff
ferent even in this short time is GER
tainly encouraging. Parents have re
marked upon the improvement and their
teacher, to whom is due a great deal of
the success of the class, has declared
them better mentally, as we'll as phys
ically. We hope, however. to make TINS
success even more assured by proper
amount of rest as we'll as fresh air and
food. To do this canvas reclining chairs
are necessary for the hour of absolute
rest that goes far toward building up
weakened bodies"
Though DR.. Murray has found this
treatment in the Stevens school most
beneficial the success of the open-air
scnoolroom at the Blake has proved
equally as assured. for its tWo-year test
launched it into this present third school
term. Unlike the more recent fresh air
class it's members We're not picked with
any regard to physical cond ton. but
the school was taken as whole. There
were thirty-seven children in the room
in the beginning and visits We're made to
the homes of all the children to explain
to the parents the proposed plan At
the same time permission was given to
remove to another school those children
whose parents were fearful of the fresh
air treatment. Six children We're accord
ingly transferred, but of those four have
since returned
The promoters of this plan, of course,
realized the necessity of furnishing some
kind of light luncheon as fuel for the
little bodies. Accordingly hot chocolate
and rolls, soup and crackers, or hot
cocoa and buns We're tried in turn. The
last was finally decided upon as the
permanent diet, and is now served in the
open-air room at half past 10 each
morning Those children who are able
to do SO pay } cents day for this little
luncheon Blankets We're also provided
for this class. though they are now only
brought into service by these decidedly
healthy cnllQfeH Oh the cOiueSI days.
A brief summary of the report of the
examinations made by the health depart
ment during the first year of this open
air class reads as follows:
The average gain in weight per pupil
for those who remained in the outdoor
school the entire year was 80 pounds;
the average gain in weight for those
pupils who remained in an indoor school
was 1.S9.
AT all three of the comparisons of the
outdoor school with an indoor school
made during the year. the gain in health
has been greater i'm the outdoor school.
The teacher OF the outdoor school de-
,dnxl oh h<,s. lnId