The Washburn leader., 1916-01-28
Cblldren's
School
Luncbeons

During recent years the problem Of
the proper feeding Of school children
has come to be recognized by educators
as very grave one. The child Of
school age must grow and must also
work.
1t is costly to educate child, and the
cost is largely wasted If the child is so
improperly nourished as to be unfit for
mental effort. Certainly hungry child
is In no condition to turn his undivided
attention toward the work of the
schoOlroOm.
Another important factor is play.
There is IL direct connection between
the muscular activity involved in play
and the food elements necessary for
the building Of strong body.
AS it has been proved in many in.
stances, particularly in the large cities,
that many children are actually hungry
the greater portion of the time, it is OBJ
vious that such children are not receiv-
ing the full benefit from the money
being spent for their education.
The question of feeding the child in
the school is therefore receiving more
and more consideration as time goes
on. and in several instances where va
rious methods have been tried the re-
suits have been very marked.
In one girls school in New York city
each child is given u cup of milk or
cocoa during the morning, and at noon
soup is sold by the school at cent.
Here also, as the year wanes greater
progress is noted.
This instance is not cited as an ex-
ceptional case, but as an example to
show that when children are fed at
school the results are apparent. even
though the children may not actually
be underfed in their homes.
In the schools for backward children
the results Of feeding in the school have
been more apparent.
1t is said that in France, where sys-
TEN Of serving meals to school children
was most carefully worked out, the
effect is to simplify the relief work, as
no parent can bring a hungry child in
order to gain sympathy.
AS the question of food for school
children is so important educationally,
and at the same time is not entirely an
educational problem, it offers an oppor-
tunity for cooperation between the ed
ucators, social organizations and par
ents.
The domestic science classes afford
another good opportunity for the serv-
ing Of nourishing food to the children
throughout the school. The class pre-
pares one hot dish daily, which is serv-
ed with the cold luncheons brought
from home. Each girl pays 10 cents a
week, which pays for the food.
In the rural school very simple
equipment will answer all the purposes
of cooking and serving. If the school
is able to have fireless cooker soup
or stew can be prepared at some ones
home, taken to the school and kept hot
until lunchtime AS in the rural dis
tricts many children live long way
from the school. it is almost a neces-
sity that hot dish be prepared for
them.
In one rural school plan was put
into operation whereby hot dish was
served at q cost of cents. Where
the parent was not able to pay this
amount the food was served free, or
the parent was allowed to contribute
vegetables or other farm products.
Each week one Of the larger girls was
appointed as chef, with three smaller
girls as assistants. The preparing Of
the lunch was completed before 8
o'clock In the morning and was put
on the oil stove in the entry at the
proper time. Each child brought
cup, plate, knife, fork. spoon and two
napkins from home. one napkin being
used as q tablecloth.
Not only did this plan work out well
from standpoint Of proper nutrition
for the children, but the lunch hour
became a lesson in table manners. In
this way many children who receive
little training at home are enabled to
see how other people behave at meals,
and the tactful teacher can do great
deal of good in imparting lessons in
table department.
There have been enough experiments
made to prove the value Of nutritious
food served at the school. and it is
doubtless but question of short
time now before educators generally
will come to see the responsibilities
and opportunities lying dormant in
this field. As the teacher is likely to
he more or. less overworked, too much
should not be expected Of her in this
line, but IL the parents will become in
terested in this subject much good can
be accomplished. Clubwomen all over
the. country are beginning to realize
that here ia work close at hand and
IN conjunction with the school officials
can do a great deal toward insuring
the proper amount of nutritious food
for each child Of school age, and thus
help to bring up generation Of
healthy bodies as well as trained
minds. for without the one the attain
Ing of the other is doubly hard.
To Reduce.
The following exercise ts an excel