The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-02-12

be examined. in order that no con-
tageous disease might spread in the
schools. Tho superintendent re-
marked on the great number OF ply
steal defects In the younger chill
dren, declaring that in many cases
their throats were so sore that he
did not see how they could swallow.
In n room of about forty-fve. II
was frequent 10 find all but four or
FIVE more or less ailing The gen
eral condition Of the children's teeth
was very bad.
In this connection DR.. Beech said
he had heard that one teacher in
the schools was suspected to be af.
ficted with tuberculosis. He oh.
served, however, that this teacher
was given n test last summer and
no signs of the disease were
found.
Mr.. Sperry remarked that the state
board OF health forebade the admis-
sion of either pupils or teachers who
were afflicted with tuberculosis into
the public schools. lie doubted, how.
ever, whether this teacher could he
required To submit To another test
for tuberculosis so soon again as the
present time
The Commercial Glasses.
Superintendent Sperry spoke of the
fact that there we're IT'S enrollments
in the various classes OF the com.
mercial department OF the high
school. and in all there were l2l
pupils in that department. The work
was very heavy and kept the in
structor. Mr.. Chase. extremely busy.
Mr.. Chase did not have time to over.
sec the work of the pupils in type.
writing as il should he done. Mr..
Sperry suggested that some expert
typewriter In the city might be hired
tn oversee this work and see that ID
was done right and no bad habits
were formed. Tho matter was refer.
red TO the school committee TO take
what steps were necessary
Petition From Seniors.
A petition was received from sew
1915 of the high school asking that
this class he given the same priyi-
lege that was given to the class OF
1913, in regard 10 being required
10 attend school. being that seniors
were required only Ia he in school
10 attend their classes. The matter
was referred To tho superini endrnt
and the faculty of the school.
Dr. w. \. Reach. chairman OF the
committee on property and expense,
spoke Of the fact that a waste pipe.
taking water from the roof of the
high schol building, had frozen up.
owing TO the fact that the contract.
or had laid IL in solid cement, in.
stead OF leaving an air space around
II, according to the architects In.
structions. II was decided to have the
cement dug out by the janitor.
Mrs. Smith. spoke OF the meeting
OF the Southern Minnesota Teachers
association, which would be held in
Mankato on February 10. 30 and 81.
She suggested that on Friday, the
18th, the school be closed in order
to give the teachers a chance TO at.
tend this convention as Superintend.
ent Sperry had suggested. A motion
was passed approving this plan.
Alexander Bashaw stated that he
knew Of girl OF fourteen whose
mother was dead and who had to
attend school. while she was much
needed at home To take care OF
younger members OF the family. lie
thought she ought TO be excused as
she already had a fair education.
Judge Hughes, however, took the
view that the girls whole future
was affected by her education. and
this should not be neglected in
order TO get her household services
for the family for a short period of
time. The father ought, If necessary
TO apply to the county for enough
relief to enable him TO hire somebody
To help take care OF the family.
Altering the Course.
Judge Hughes suggested that Il
would be well to look into the cues.
ton OF altering the relative length
OF the grade and high school courses,
so that each would be six years,
instead of having eight years in the
grades and four years in the high
school. lie said that during the
first six years, the pupils could he
handled better by the teachers In
the mass. After that time, however.
there was change in the life of
the pupils, so that ii was then bet.
ter TO handle them individually, as
was done in the high school course
This matter was referred 10 the
committee on schools.
Superintendent Sperry presented
the attendance report for the month
of January, showing the number en-
rolled, number belonging, average
attendance, cases of hardness and
number showing perfect attendance
as follows:
NE. NIB. "A. CT. PA.