The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-04
CHILDREN STUDY, PLAY, EAT AND SLEEP
IN RICt1MONDS OPEN AIR SCHOOLS
by FRIEDA MEREDITH DrErz.

John Z. Cary school illustrate,
another type OF fresh air class. One
Of the regular corner rooms OF the
building has been supplied with an
extra mum Der OF large windows and
thess are kept open all day. Here,
the gas stove for cooking il in the
room but the lockers for the folded
cots, blankets. and dishes are conceal
ed behind sliding blackboards. The
classes and each child must brush his
teeth, wash his hands, and clean his
finger nails a. least once each day In
class.
Number of Meals Reduced.
Last year three meals a day were
served the children, but due to the
high cost OF foods. only two meals
are now served and in some schools
only one The menus for these are in
accordance with the foods necessary
to weak children.
The equipment of each child con-
s!sts of two blankets. light and heavy
felt shoes, were having lesson when
We visited them. The good health,
study, and conduct reports were given
aete.
IN Moore school. the coiored school
which has recently added a ten-roon
wing, the fresh air class occupied q
similar room with a kttchennette he
hind the sliding black boards The
teacher here is the only graduate In
the colored schools from Hampton In
stitute.
Navy I'm colorei school has still
another type classroom. 1t is one
story frame building in the yard with
open windows on three sides.
Other schools in the city offering
open air classes OF one OF these types
are: Fulton. Springfield (two
classes]. Jefferson, Giater Park. Elha.
Madison. Cary. Bainbridge, Franklin.
Paramount.
colored: Moore. Baker Navy Hin.
Dunbar
Tho total enrolment in the classes
is 500 and the average daily attendance
26i.
How Citizens Help.
The work Of these classes lie at
present hampered by the question Of
&. ahces The city school board pays
Tor the blankets, shoes, caps. cots,
aud al necessary equipment. The
state appropriates S2,Q00 a year for
the foeo but here the shortage Gomez
The milk and bread bill alone al
| loving each child only two small
glasses OF milk day. Is $86s73 So
&l.G3T.39 more than the state gives
HIS hVNS ltS. prov lNG any ttu fOpA
and 10 accomplish good work The chill
dren laust have hot soups and vege-
tabIes No provision Is made for
these. The cost OF food per capita
II fifty cents "a week-$40 a month for
each class making total expense of
5.400 year for food.
The deficit in money allowed by
the atate for food has been made UP
IN various ways. The Ginter PARK
people care for their class entirely
but Ia other sections Of the cty the
people ~are not SO well able To do this
The Richmond Education association.
OF which Mrs Melville Branch is
chairman and Mrs. Thomas B. No
a Sans. treasurer. has obligated itself
TO pay se00 toward ae support OF
these schools as it has paid for the
employment OF the visiting nurse AZ
Cary school moving picture shows are
given twice a month and part OF
the proceeds go toward the open air
class The Mothers club at Cary
school gave Hallowe' en- party last
week and cleared sos for it, class.
Last year the various mothers clubs
In the city gave s611.s7 toward food.
Those children who can afford 10 do
so are asked TO give a small amount
each week toward their class. From
this source $642-Ts was received last
year. Small contributions OF food and
money from individuals amounted TO
1880 last year.
This year. because of the high cost
Of foods and general war conditions.
contributions are se much smaller that
the meals have been cut down TO
only one or two day and the size of
thase depends on donations The
Central Garden committee had the
children In Barton Heights shell all
Of the beans it planted In that section
and these were all given 10 the schools.
The various canning clubs. held dur
ing the fall gave Jars OF tomatoes.
While mothers clubs are stiIl working
for the schools there is q shortage OF
food and all donations toward these
classes are gladly received az tho
lack of food necessarily means lsss
satisfactory results.
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