Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-28

school visitor to find out these things and do
what she can to have them corrected.
Using the Schoolhouse
"The school visitor is also of great as
sistance in securing a wider use of the
schoohouse. This is encouraged by the
teachers. who themselves have done much
in this line through the Parents and Teach
ers Association. There Ia wide field for
the use of the school buildings of the city
other than for the purpose of holding school,
for they are available In the evenings all
through the school term and at almost any
hour of the day during the vacation period,
while on the other hand there are plenty
of legitimate uses to which they could be put.
THE functions of the school visitor are
purely advisory and recommendatory, but
there is great opportunity to give sympa
thetic and intelligent encouragement to the
teachers, who, for their part, appreciate this
and work willingly with the visitors.
- '.But in spite of the fact that the visitors
have little actual authority, in the general
sense of the world, they succeed in getting
lot of things accomplished which otherwise
would be much slower In coming If they
were accomplished at all. Thus. for ex-
ample, one visitor succeeded in establishing
penny savings system in one of the schools,
while the penny lunches are now general
throughout the schools of the city.
Improving the Buildings
"Much of the work of the school visitors
relates to the conditions of the school build
ings. They call upon the architects of the
buildings and suggest changes or improve
ments in the rooms, the cellars. the yards
and any other parts of the buildings which
seem to require change for the better.
''In one case where new building was
contemplated the school visitor called upon
the architect, with the result that changes
were made by which the indoor playground
uaG ma liUltar md liz,
attractive as well as healthful, and shower
baths were added, all at small expence be-
cause the absence of these things had been
found before the building had been begun.
Another visitor found dsgraceful building,
never intended as school building at all,
with the fire escape hanging by an eyelash,'
to quote her own words. This was immc-
diately corrected and the building made at
least habitable.
'There have been many such cases as
these where the physical conditions affect
ing directly the health and the comfort of
the children have been improved by reason
of the work of the school visitors.
Value of Women Visitors
Probably the chief reasons for the value
of women as members of the board are be-
cause they have more knowledge of the
needs of children than men have, and be-
cause they have more time TO devote to the
duties of visitor during school hours
The attitude Of the politicians toward the
school vistors-that is the wOmen--varics
but generally we have found that they ap-
preciatc what the women can do for the
school children and that they are willing to
help us. When our candidates were an
nounced letters to that effect were written
to the ward committeeman of both parties
and we have received a large number of en-
couraging replies. telling us that the names
would appear on the ballots, and even some
saying that they would see that the peti-
tions were properly signed.
Little Political Power
''The only political power that lies with
the boards Is the appointment of the jani.
tors, and this work we find the men still
desire to keep to themselves. although the
women members are more frequently con
suited now than formerly.
When the law was passed giving women
the privilege OF serving If elected. there was
considerable opposition manifested. but with
the passing OF the years and the realization
that the women had really accomplished
much good for the schools of the city that
opposition melted away, and today they are
accepted as matter of course. Some Of the
teachers opposed the plan originally, but
that long since has disappeared
THE school visitors are able to deal with
the parents to much better advantage in
many cases than the teachers. Despite the
excellent work which the Parents and Teach
ers Association has accomplished the Wis
itor has considerable advantage. The
| child IL often the only point of contact he
tween the perent and the teacher. and the
| child is not always accurate in his estimate
| of the tencher. especially in eases relating
| to discipline. The tactful school visitor cnn
and does smooth out many of these troubles,
and women are peculiarly efficient In this
| work.
'The woman school visitor has her own
| place in our school management. The same
reasons which give women cQrial rcspopgi. !.
billty In the management of the home are
| good and sufficient for placing her in posi- .
| tion where her love for and understa ndiny
Of child lifNaera Aauallp xrAat "A