Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-06
open MIR SCHOOLS ARE
REGARDED AS MODELS
Sixteen Glasses Arc Being Conducted
for Subnormal or Undcrdc-
,cloped Children.
EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AIDS
Provides Special Nurse and Nour-
ishment for the Childrcn-Contri-
buttons Are Invited TO Assist in
Carrying on the Work.

Few people know anything about the
open-air schools Of Richmond beyond
the fact that they exist. SO do the
poor of the city eSst--cvcn in these
times when the mere fact OF existence
represents strugEle-but how they
exist is best known 10 themselves and
10 the scores OF social workers. public
health nurses and charitable orGaniza
lions Of the city. Now. the opcn-air
schoo!s-s!1tcen in number at the pres
ent tiTe-are the foSter-childrcn of the
Richmond Education Association, which
has All open-air school committee which
looks after the welfare of these schools
especially.
1t is necessary that this special de-
partment Of the complex city school
system be thus foStered since the an
nual appropriation for the support OF
the opcn-air classes does not meet the
necessary expenditures by half. More
than three hundred children arc now
included In these classes. which arc
taught on tho Elassedin roofs Of
schools In various sections Of the city.
where the need for such classes is
greatest.
Delicate children. subnormal children.
and children who have an inherent
tendency to tubercuiar troubles arc by
means OF the open-air classes given
chance to become strong and we'll, and
grades In the city schools. The broad
vision and interest OF Or. j. A. G.
Chandler and other officials OF the ad-
miaistrat!on OF the city schools and Of
the school board with the assistance OF
the Richmond Education Association
have made the success of the opcn-air
schools possible.
SPECIAL NURSE FOR
OPES-AIR SCHOOLS
Among other expenses which are met
by the Richmond Education Association
is that OF a special nurse for the open
air schools Nourishment is furnished
for the children. particularly milk and
eggs or their equivalent, cereal. bread
and supplementary foods. besides par
OF the equipment OF the schools. which
includes cots and blankets. caps and
boots. where necessary. hreiess cookers.
and utensils necessary for preparing
and serving food. The diet is tho same
in all classes. There arc four colorcd
open-air schools.
Now. the money raised ny the open
air school committee has come from
4 variety of sourccs--but 1t has come.
and must continue TO come. for the con-
serration Of health is one OF the most
important, and one OF the graveSt OF
the many new problems emphasized by
the war. Individual gifts, contributing
organizations. mothers clubs, arc
among the sources Of income for the
treasury which supports the open-air
schools OF the city. and in addition.
voluntary contributions arc made Janu-
AIRY Is OF every year by school children
all over the city. 4 tea room is run for
ten weeks Il the Jefferson by this COM
Ini,tec. also. for tho benefit OF these
children.
Recognizing the Importance OF this
class OF school for children not quite
up to par. children who couii 10. keep
UP with their classes because OF
tendency TO conEcnitai veal ,sS per
haps or because they had been poorly
nourished in tho first place in over
crowded tenements. Norfolk last year
sent spccia! representative to in
vcstiEate these classes with n view TO
introducing openair classes in the city
school system OF Norfolk.
In view of the incstimahle and far
reaching heneii; to tho children who are
members OF the open-air classes. the
Richmond Education Association con
fdenty hopes that tho patrons OF tho
city schools viii generously contribute
what is lacking to meet tho necessary
expenditures incident to kcrpins the
schools running above and beyond the
$4,000 appropriated for this work out
of school funds.