The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-11-26
BUILDS UP THE TISSUES
PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN
THE SCHOOLS
What Is Being Done In Mankato
Along That Particular
Line
CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED
Supervised physical education and
athletics has become an important fac
tor in the life Or every child in the pub
lilo school system. 1t is emphasized.
because wisely directed play has a
powerful influence on the physical.
mental and moral health of the school
child. Furthermore the character of
Instruction and direction of children in
their physical activities today will have
much to do with their present physical
mental and moral standards as citizens
In the community tomorrow
Viewed as to their physical effects,
Gymnastics and Athletics produce
and alternating unhygienic school condi-
tons such as impure air, bad light inn
proper sitting. and standing positions.
and long periods of physical inactivity.
and deEelop strength and increase Or
viewed as to educational and habit
producing effects. school gymnastics
actness and order. respect for rules
courtesy. They strengthen will power
IF Justice IF FAIR and play eys .p shes
competitive. forms. they lead to self
denial. self control. loyalty to leaders.
and morality. The boy or girl who
ledFnS Tedl team WOTk as u IHtIlUcT OIL
a team gets training in giving up his
own selfish interests for the benefit
of Understanding which cannot be Sc
cured in any other way. At the same
of the ne hsasss things ne s90a
learn. Health habits-physical, mental
and mors-are found through play.
Physical education is required Of all
those. excused by the family physician
or school nurse for physical disability.
One hour per week Is required OF each
ssbaa n the hor nor and snS Sorse sn
per week or twenty minutes each day
is required in all grades below the
seventh. This twenty minute period is
divided into ten minutes for gymnastics
and ten minutes for games.
Arranged In Squads
All Senior High school classes, boys
and girls. are arranged in four equal
three Of whom are elected by the class
and one chosen by the director These
squad leaders meet with the physical dir
for special instruction. and are his or
her assistants during the class period:
This enables each pupil to get personal
instruction in the various activities
due to the large enrolment in each
class.
After school athletics ere OPTIONAL:
For boys. football. basket ball. and
N. -
The director of physical education has
personal charge Of the gymnasium clas-
ses for 3ss boys. In the Junior-Senior
purchase and care OF ali athletics and
gymnastic equipment, advertising and
scheduling of all games. checking up on
all gate receipts and expenditures for
Physical Training for the fourth. fifth
and sixth grades Inclusive. at all the
buildings. which include twelve teachers
and ss2 students. He also has the gen
Era supnrHssiTh The total enroIment on
the Fairgrounds FOR this year was 1852.
The assistant director Of physical ed
Gymnasium classes for 4s2 girls in the
Junior Senior High school. She outlines
teaches and supervises the Physical
Training in the first: second and third
which includes fourteen teachers and
z2n students. She has charge OF the
Girls Athletic association which includes
every girl in high school and 1,, with me
Nostdahll. has helped to organize the
Girl Scout and Campfire movement in
high school. In addition she coaches
the teams In soccer and basketball. $
Visits The Several Grades
each grade room twice each school
summary Of Athletics for 1s1s2o.
Football-Average attendance. 20 per
night; high schools games played;
grade Schools games played.
Basketball-high school boys. teams
played As games; high school girls
teams-played games
Track Athletics-Average attendance.
% per night: high school, track meets;
grade schools. 1 track meet-225 boys
Exhibitions. one. indoor circus by
members Of the Boys Leaders club and
the Girls Leaders club.
At the present there are thirty girls
signed up for soccer football and forty,
three boys for football
The greatest need in the physical
training department at present Is at
least one more teacher who could de-
vote all her time during school hours to
the grade schools, NThe present staff at
Instructors should teach in the Junior
and senior high school only. The Union
school needs some equipment and the
present equipment at the high school
consisting only Of ropes. mats, Indian
clubs stall bars. dumb bells and wands
should be supplemented with a horse;
spring board parallel bars, horizontal
bar. rings and two more mats. Gym
nasium should be required twice per
week. where there is sufficient floor
space for all classes. This n impos-
sible with the small gymnasium and
the large enrolment of the high school
The subject of personal hygiene should
also be taught In the Senior high
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