Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-08
MRS. ANNA L. LiNGElBACH
On How PhiIadeIphla Trains Her Girls


THE Philadelphia public schools train the
L girls of the city in several especial
things-for the home, for their proper place
In commercial life, to properly care for their
health and civicnlly in such n manner that
they may best fulfil their duties us citizens,
says Mrs. Anna l.. Lingelbnch. the only
woman member of the Philadelphia Board OF
Education.
Twenty five years ago." said Mrs.
Lingelbach, "thc emphasis in education was
laid entirely upon the mental training, and
a diploma from the high school meant mors
than the completion Of courses in Latin, or
English or similar subjects. But now thi,
is completely changed and today stress 10
laid upon a we'll balanced education, both III
body and In mind. and hence one which
will permit girls to live their lives and fulhli
their destinies to the best advantage
Sound Bodies Needed
"The education Of former times took no
cognizance whatever Of the Importance OF
sound body, but for the last. four or hve
years this feature Of education has been
stressed in the public schools. The girls
are taught the vital Importance OF keeping
themselves in the best possible physical con.
dition in order that they may do whatever
work they elect to better advantage:
ITO this end they are taught hygiene
and how to develop and Safeguard their
health In various ways, and are given In.
struction in gymnastics and In rhythmic and
folk dancing. Their sports are carefully
supervised, the principal ones being hockey,
basketball and tennis, all OF which arc
thoroughly hcalthful and not too violent.
But most of all, they are taught the extreme
Importance Of maintaining their health at
any cost of time and exercise, as without it
little can be accomplished in the world:
"Another equally important branch OF
modern education Is the training which the
left to the mothers, and the girls received
such education as the ability Of the mother
and the willingness Of the girl to learn die
tated. But now this Is done In the schools,
where the studies along those lines are
standardized and each girl receives the same
value to her in the future when she be-
comes the mistress of home Of her own.
Home Training Complete
"Thus the school has taken over much
of the work which was formerly done In
the home, and it is Systematically and thor.
ouphly taught, so that when the courses ure
completed the girl IL an accomplished house.
keeper and homemaker. The domestic science
course embraces sewing, cooking and the
table and wholesome. Much Of the values
of the various kinds OF food is taught them
SO that they may provide a balanced ration
of the essential requirements Of the body at
..An interesting part Of this work is the
furnishing Of home AT the William Penn
School there is little fiat, and one Of the
great stores Of the city loaned furniture,
which was selected by the pupils and placen
by them according to the ethics Of good
taste, under supervision, Of course, so that
they might learn where certain pieces should
90 TO appear to the best advantage, The
curtains and similar inside furnishings were
made by the girls themselves, and they had
an afternoon tea there one day, which they
conducted entirely by themselves. They
furnished their own entertainment, this
being also a part Of the course.
'"rhe teaching Of the proper caro- or
habies has not yet been undertaken in our
schools, but will he added to the curriculum
before very long. Some cities have it already.
and we realize it's Importance All this
instruction IL given In order to fit the piris
for the care Of their own homes and none
10 II contemplates any professional use. Tho
imnortance Of the American home IA sucb
that TOO much time cannot be expended upon
this branch Of education.
Good Manners Also Taught
"The manners of the girls are also n
subject for educational cndcavor. littIa
hook entitled Everyday Manners has hccn
compiled at the South PHILADELPHIA IIipn
Lucy In W. Wilson. although the content:
of the book was the result Of co.operstive
work Of DR.. Wilson, the teachers ~ IL
siris themselves. An enormous amonrt ~
work along these lines has been done by the
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