The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-08-13
TENNESSEE SCHOOL
FOR THE BLIND

VII I'LL DItttI
The seventy-first session of the Ten
nessee for the Blind commences Tues
day, September l. 1914. The school
is admirably and beautifully situated
ION the west bank of the Cumberland
river, about mile from the Union
depot and less than half that distance
from the Tennessee Central depot
Electric cars pass the gate, making the
school accessible from all parts of che
city.
The faculty consists of capable and
experience teachers and 1t may be
safely predicted that the coming year
will be the brightest and most hope
full in its annals
The good people of the State in 1874
founded this school for those unfor-
tunate children who by reason of de-
fective vision could not attend the or
binary schools. They felt that right
and justice demanded that some pro-
vision must be made whereby blind
children may have an opportunity to
obtain an education. They reasoned
that if education is essential to the
welfare and success of the child bles-
sed with the greatest of all blessings,
the sense of sight then it is a thous-
and times more necessary that the
blind be educated and fitted for the
battle of life.
This school is a part of the public
school system. Its province is to re-
ceive and educate children whose de-
fective sight bars them from the ordi-
nary schools. In addition to tuition,
the school gives books, board, laundry
and medical attendance free. Parents
are only required to furnish suitable
clothing and to pay transportation to
and from school.
An eminent oculist is connected
with the school who Examines the
eyes of each child on its admission,
and if aught can be done to mitigate
pain, to improve vision, or happily to
restore sight, it is done without delay
The school physician is one of the
most prominent practitioners of the
city and occupies chair in one of our
medical colleges. There is also
sick nurse who gives her entire time
to the care of the sick and admins
tiers to all those with ordinary ills and
ailments. Two governesses, who have
charge OF the smaller boys and girls
see that they are tidy and clean, and
teach them to dress their hair and
their persons neatly and Gecently. A
matron presides over the entire house
hold and sees that the food is proper
ly prepared, properly served, and that
every one has enough
Manual training has formed one of
the most important departments of
this school from its establishment.
Here boys learn the use of tools; to
tune and repair pianos and reed or
gans; to make hammocks, brooms, |
mattresses, and to cane chairs; while |
the girls learn to sew, to cut and make
their own clothes, and also fashion |
many articles in worsted, raffia and
beads.
The school is carefully graded, re-
curing in the Literary Department |
the services of eight teachers who are
graduates of the best S, hools and col |
leges in the country. The course of |
study is similar to that pursued in our
foremost preparatory schools. The
Musical Department, which has long
been noted for its excellence, engages
five well trained musicians who
thoroughly instruct the pupils in pi-
ano, pipe organ and vocal music, and |
also in theory and harmony.
AS so many.of the children come to
us, weak, awkward, and poorly de-
veloped, we find it very beneficial to
give them careful and systematic ply
steal training, for strong, whole
some. and well developed body is the
prime requisite in a successful devel-
opment of the intellect. A physical
culture teacher is, therefore, employed
and combines with this physical train
Ing the art of correct reading or elo-
cution.
All children of school age who are
totally or partially blind and who can
not receive an education in the ordi-
nary schools are entitled to scholar
ship in this school. If you have
child with defective vision it is your
privilege to take advantage of the op-
portunities this school freely offers.
If desired further information will
be furnished by the superintendent.
Respectfully,
]. V. ARMSTRONG,
Superintendent.