El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-25

first. This is the type that has been
most neglected in this country and its
] results were seen in the 30 percent OF
our drafted men that were found to be
unfit for service. So important Is this
] kind Of education now considered thal
the federal government has seen III
3 to Introduce a bill in congress pro-
: viding an appropriation OF S2O,0OU,vuu
annually TO be supplemented by like
amount by the states. for the better
I physician development Of the nation
/ children.
In this type Of work also FL Paso
has made a fair beginning. though ]
am sorry TO say Il had to be done IN
the face of much opposition we nave
physical training teachers now N a.
schools but four and these, too. should
have them. Children are given gym
inastic drills for corrective work,
games, and lessons IN hygiene 70 cor
relate with the physical work.
Lessons in Health Given.
Just now we are endeavOring TO get
the children TO take more interest In
their general health and growth by
having them measured and weighed
monthly. The heights and weights
are then written on the classroom
record. which is posted where every
one can see IT. We also want them
10 learn that there is a vital connec-
ton between growth and health and
in their lessons on food and hygiene
The national program for health
education Will give more attention 10
medical inspection OF school cnlldren
and to remedies through free clinics
than Fl Paso has thus far been able
TO accomplish We have had inspec-
ton for contag ious diseases about
once a week for several years. but we
have had no school nurses nor clinics
for remedial measures
Gymnasium n Necessity.
In order to do this work properly
FL Paso needs gymnasium and
physicians consulting room In each
building, and we need more frequent
INSPECTION and the assistance OF the
school nurse. All Of this viii doubt
less come in another year when the
government appropriations are avail
able.
There Is another phase Of education
IN which the schools OF the nation are
taking a new interest, through the in
fluence OF governmental Initiative. /
refer to vocational training. High
schools have prepared students Tor
entrance to the professions from their
beginning, and for commercial posi-
lions for a shorter period. but until
lately nothing has been done syste-
maticaly in public schools for train
ing OF those who wish TO enter agri-
cultural or Industrious vorations-
Through the appropriations made
available by the Smith-Hughes voca-
tional law. courses are being added TO
Junior and senior high school courses
providing for instruction and training
in these pursuits FL Paso has made a
beginning in this kind OF education
Last year We received government aid
for instruction in agriculture and "a
do work and this year we are offer
ing courses in machine shop practice.
and We may offer other vocational
courses II we can secure government
aid for them.
We have come to realize that pre-
paredness" means not military train
ing alone, but vocational training as
well A prominent military man says,
Vocational training is military train
ing. because the skilled mechanic Is
as much a part Of the army as the
man who carries the gun
Room Needed on sOufh Side.
Fl Paso needs more school ROOM
particularly on the south side Of the
city, where we still have children on
half time. The board OF trustees has
a building fund for this purpose but Il
could not be used during the past
year. owing TO government restric-
tions on building These restrictions
have now been removed and a three
room addition Is being made at Alta /
Vista II Is planned to erect new
on the south side OF the city /
IS soon as the plans can be made, but /
more money will be needed to carry /
1ut anything like an adequate plan 1
y school facilities for the city as .
whole.
Street Cars for sfHish-7
Fl Paso has an excellent high school 4
building, but we need a street car line