New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-31

mar. Such a case is quickly detected
and classified as a mental defective ana
the child is segregated, whenever pos
sibIe. On the other hand. some OF the
alien races which reach US are OF the
sturdy kind. with strong physique and
GOOD mentality. This class may rep
resent almost virgin soil, because the
members Of it have received practical :
lv no education. Their chronological
age exhibits a wide disparity when APP
piled 10 their standards Of knowledge.
Here, again, is another reason why we
have so many leverage children IN
our schools. 49,.
what is being done to meet this
situation ?" is fair question to ask,
The Board Of Education has estab--
lished a Division of Attendance and
Child Welfare to regulate the truancy
problem. TO prevent the Improper en-
ployment of children who should be at
tending school, and TO assist by all
practical means in the general welfare
Of the school population.
The Board of Education is employing
visiting teachers for the purpose of
connecting the school with the home
and for the further purpose Of ascer-
/ tanning home conditions. to the end
that where cases Of want and destitu-
ton are found proper means of relief
may be afforded through proper chan
nels.
The Board Of Education has estab-
lished. through President Churchill and
Superintendent Maxwell. a system Of
school lunches, whereby il is made
possible, whenever necessary, for chill
dren 10 obtain i good meal at least
once a day for a nominal sum-a pen
nv. The board has also established a
division OF department for the pur-
pose Of studying the individual needs
Of children Of sJb-normal tendencies.
Physicians and specialists are en-
ployed TO treat and TO regulate such
cases.
A department Of physical training
has been established. Through this
the board encourages helpful sports
and pursuits, in connection with which
the hygienic conditions Of the schools
are carefully watched and conserved.
The Board Of Education co-operates
with various hospitals and clinics
whereby medical and surgical service
is obtained free for school children
whenever needed. And, lastly. the
Board Of Education has established
/ throughout the city a great number OF
u classes III WHICH HOut buL NHc AttDlt
minded are taught. In these classes
/ 10 is sought TO remedy the deficiencies
/ of the children and to seek out and to
ascertain individually the proclivities
capabilities and possibilities which
each child presents, with the object OF
developing the minds of such children
along such lines as their mental con-
/ dition will permit. in order that they
may become self-supporting when they
/ leave school and not be dependent
either upon their relatives or upon the
community.
And all of this Is being done by th.
/ Board of Education in its efforts 10
/ cope with the problem Of retardation
Not only is the cause Of education be-
ing scientifically subserved. but the
/ Board Of Education is engaging in the
/ solution of difficult task of practical
social and humanitarian service. TIN
work requires sympathetic as well as
scientific handling. and, while cure for
such ascondition is impossible, still the
ameiorating effects are becoming more
+ tangible and are more appreciated by
/ the people. This is one Of the func-
/ tional problems which link the Board
Of Education very closely with the per
sonal interests Of the people.