News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-11-25
Need a Rest Room

Nceu a RoSE Room
Alta special meeting of ladies at tht
Congregational parsonage Wednesday
afternoon, Nov. II, Mrs. Woodward, prin
cipal of the trairing school, spoke abou
some of the needs of the school. AL
were very much impressed with her clear
and forcefu words, which were spoken
with no desire to criticise or condone
but rather to better conditions not pro
ductive of good. These were her words
1T is necessary for many pupils living
distant from the Johnson Training School
to bring noon lunches. This unavoidable
condition is recognized. There are many
places where similar conditions exist,
but where provision is made that the
hour may be helpful rather than hurtful.
''As it is now, pupils bring lunches
and when pleasant ear them out of doors,
throwing remains-apple cores, orange
skins, bread crusts and other material,
together with the paper in which it was
brought, on the steps and around the
main entrance to the school, thus making
designated to serve the public.
''Besdes this. it is necessary to use
sanitares, get water, and for the most
part eat in some place in the building,
This gives rise to noise, running, loud
talking, scattering about school rooms,
meddling with articles left in condition
for afternoon work, and otherwise using
the building for playground. The
building is not benefited by such con-
duct, neither are the pupils. The rooms
cannot be properly ventilated and heated
by the janitor, doors are left swinging,
floors are soied by grease spots and pu-
pills themselves are not best fitted TO
make them get the most of the work fol-
lowing in the afternoon.
"As there are neither towels or soap
for cleansing hands and face, opportunity
to care for teeth and hair, the pupils
have not the feeling of neatness they
should have for proper work. They must
have recreation and the mixture of food
and dirt on the hands Injuries the books
and spoils the papers necessary to school
work.
1.-TWO magazines are supplied those
who wish to read. Stormy weather but
adds to the discomfort. The bad policy
of such noon arrangement is seen in
the results of pupils work in the after
noon Their continued presence in the
rooms, the results of noisy, misdirected
play, the personal discomfort they recog-
nize but cannot name, make the after
noon session tedious, and good results
cannot follow. The session is longer
one than is usual for afternoon work,
and in spite of all that can be done it is
hard for everybody.
The janitor has had oversight of the !
noon pupils but owing to the fact that
there is not common room that can be |
conveniently used it is found difficult to |
maintain the quiet which should be main |
tanned where effective work is to be |
done. The two critic teachers and one |
supervising principal have eight grades |
and twelve student teachers in charge
and it is impossible to add the noon hour
to an already over-ful program. To do
this would seriously affect the good that
they are striving to accomplish.
ITO meet this need, as the school
building offers no available place, and as
we firmly believe the noon pupils need
attention, it is asked that a rest room be
provided and maintained by those bene-
fitted and interested in their boys and
girls. That this room be so arranged
that hot soups and drinks may be sold at
cost, that privileges for cleanly habits be
given. that games and books be provided
so that the noon hour-from ten minutes
before twelve to ten minutes before one
o'clOck-be rest, recreation and profit.
This has been tried in other places
with success, land may be 1t can be
done here with mutual benefit
when the weather permits there
should be apparatus on the school
grounds. especially in the spring and fall
of the year, where the pupils can get to-
gether in organized play, which is one of
the best means of training for citizenship.
Supervised play of this kind W i'll do away
with the holder free play which many
times makes for loud voices, rough man
nsrs and thoughtless acts that annoy.
Such arrangements would serve the noon
pupils. the school and in the case of the
playground apparatus. the body of pu-
pills who assemble there almost before
the dinner period is over 10 order to be
with their own kind asd enjoy the
sports .