The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-09
A Unanimous City Back
of School Program
By BILL PRICE.

BY BILL PklOE.
1t is fitting and satisfactory that in Education
Week. the whole civic strength of Washington should
signify as it is now doing it's unanimous support of the
extensive program to be laid before Congress for the
development public schools to the highest possible
point of efficiency after the decentralization Of days
and prolonged neglect by Congress which not de
berate but which, nevertheless lowered school standards
to dangerous point.
It is highly fortunate for the District that leaders
of Senate and House, position to be of most value and
of greatest hepfuness to public educational system
record in many ways favoring whatever steps,
whatever appropriations necessary to obtain the
suits so much desired.
With the worlds greatest advising the strength
ening of every in America for the education Of
the country young it would curious that the school
system of the Nations Capital should fail of the support
it needs to make it model 1t has long ways to 60 to
become such model but with Congress in sympathetic
accord the goal can be reached in half dozen years
Congress is already pretty familiar with the school
situation but there is much to be done besides the
ton of school buildings the enlargement of grounds
that the children may have recreaona space increase
of salaries that will bring here the best teaching talent to
be had and equipment OF the schools that they be
made modern in respect The greatest need is, OF
course sufficient number of school buildings to give
every pupil full days instruction. And with every new
school building in the future there should be sufficient
acreage to prevent young people having to play in the
streets
The first consideration it will be admitted is mental
development and that not be had without school
buildings and the best of teachers But the program to
be placed before Congress will also give prominence to
increased efforts for the physical welfare of the Districts
children of school age view of statistics that have been
gathered showing that 30 per cent of the pupils
underweght and the victims of physical defects that
prevent their making the progress in their studies
healthy children These defects recently pointed
out in this column, may be remeded through systematic
methods of school authorities, in cooperation with
parents.
The medical inspection staff of the District schools
is far short of what should be- Congress will be asked
to increase this staff that parents and pupils may receive
instruction in physical welfare subjects School author
ties not attain complete results through their
work. Parents must aid, and they will do they
learn the Importance of working with instructors in by
gienics
There only six nutrition clinics, for example, in
the entire public school system of the District and fewer
dental clinics There $50 schools The medical in
specton staff is small that it is not possible to do
more. Superintendent BALLOU feels that there should
be at least fifty clinics that will instruct in personal
health habts-how to take Of the body and how to
correct physical shortcomings Constant of the teeth
is universally regarded essential in healthy life
Yet it is lamentaby true that only small percentage of
children have their teeth looked after proper
With over 30 per cent of our school children suffer
ing from physical defects that reard their advancement
and that will continue with them to manhood woman
hood unless corrected most of them be through
intelligent understanding of the dangers involved too
much emphasis not be laid in whatever legislation
Congress passes enlargement of the channels for
education in physical well-beng.