The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-03-08


Responsibility for School Children.
When a child reaches the age Of
six years 1t can enter school and the
Oklahoma law requires that from the
age of eight until the sixteenth year
the child must spend at least two
thirds of each school year in the
school room. 1t would be of interest
to know how many parents, recogniz-
ing their responsibility as parents, Wis
in the school houses that they as tax
payers have provided for the educa-
ton of their children; where they as
citizens. through laws, require their
children to spend the days of their
school life, in attendance? How much
interest have they manifested in as
certaining knowledge Of the sanitary
and hygiepic conditions surrounding
this part of their child's life? How
much do they know about the build
ing site? Is it we'll drained? What
are the conditions of the grounds
How is it supplied with water? Is the
water pure and wholesome? Is the
plumbing sanitary? Are the toilets
clean and sanitary? Has the proper
attention been given TO the heating
system? Is it properly lighted? Will
their children's health be properly
protected? Are they in any way en-
dangering their child's future health
in permitting the child to attend this
school, spending as they do from six
to seven hours. five days week
from five to ten months a year in this
school house?
Do they know to their personal
knowledge that the light is suitable?
Is there at least 223 cubic feet of
space allotted to each individual in
the school room? Have they met the
| teacher employed to instruct their
child? Do they know whether the
teacher is in good health ar free
from contagious disease that might be
contracted by the child? Knowing
that children are great imitators, has
the teacher any habits, or peculiari-
| ties. that would be deemed undesira-
BILE for the child to take up? DO they
know, whether the example the teach
er sets as to cleanliness, health and
manners seem suitable?
Is the teachers temperament one
that will bring out the best in child?
Is the teacher in good health? Is the
school board over-taXing the teacher
by practicing economy at the expense
of the teachers nerves and the chill.
drens future character and tempera-
ment by requiring the teacher to as
sumo responsibility for a greater num-
Der of pupils than they should un'
dertake to instruct?
Shattered nerves due to overwork
may explain much of the reacher's S
conduct such as shouting ''you are Il
dirty boy" you are a blockhead,
"why do they send you to school,
you can't learn anything" The health
of the teacher should be ascertained
and cared for School boards should
require health certificate of the
teacher applying for a position. Until
the school boards require health GER
tifcates of teachers and see that their
health is protected, we shall produce,
by reason of our present system of
neglect. many nervous, acrid physical
ly threadbare teachers, where we
should have only instructors who ms
spire their pupils with a passion for
health by the example of good com
pleXion, bounding vitality and strong
personality borne of hyg!enic living.
1t would be well if all parents would
recognize the fact that public schools
are a public trust and when they de
| liver their children to, the care Of the
schools that they, the parents, have d
right to insist that the child under
the supervision of the school authori
ties. shall be safe from harm and at
least be handed back to the parents
IN as good health as it was when re
ceived in the school room. The child
certainly has the right to protection
, OF its health since compulsory educa
, tion exists in Oklahoma, leaving NJ
, alternative to pupil, parent, or teach
er.