The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-02
THE EDUCATORS OPPORTUNITY

4 THE EDUCATORS OPPORTUNITY
Physical development as an important factor in our
through improper utilization of the school plant physical
culture is practically neglected Athletics is true receive
emphasis and rightly but what is being done improve
the physical we'll being of the average child who never
makes the team and may be too hollow chesed
During the winter the children are marched from
the William Moore school to the Roosevelt for gymnasium
then marched back again. possibly the best part
else is the "hike' between the schools.
dominant factor in the life of the child and reasonable
t. argue that during that important period much time
the mind Modern education in places neglecs this
feature for the more spectacular pursuits of field athletics
which produce few stars but contribute nothing raising
the general physical standards. 1t is possible, however,
have both with proper MANAGEMENT and foresight.
Every year boys are sent to West Point and Annapolis
who have through the public schools For solid year
many of these boys pale face and ank of limb apply
themselves to correcting physical deficiencies which
allowed to grow under present system At the end of
the when these boys return robust and rosy checked
the change is startling to their relatives and friends
Most of educational concepts need to be enlarged
and revised New standards of educational values need to
be established Surely should build boys and girls
to meet the physical needs fes battle in our public
schools carefully train those to face the bat
ties of warfare
Fifty per of all who die between the ages of twenty
and thirty years die of maady; tuberculosis. Many
children fall prey to the disease through of the poorly
ventilated fretraps which call public schools and Bis
mrck has one of the best examples of this kind of sruc
tGie.
In curtaint the school budget, little provision has been
made for physical training in the schools is to be left
largely the overworked teachers past much money
has been spent in Bismarck for alleged physical culture
More recently the offer made by body of citizens to
cooperate with the school board in inauguration plan of
physical culture The members countered with plan to
employ teacher who after periods of teaching
devote the rest of his time to boy and girl welfare work.
OF the businessmen smiled and realized that after
had spent six periods in school room he would
little or no time to promote the physical welfare Of the boys
and girls of Bismarck
1t will be necessary then to raise by private subscription
500 for this work among the taxpayers service
that is being given by every modern and up school
system in the United States.
There should be strong department physical educa-
ton in schools Foolish requirements for teachers
many qualified to do this work from securing
hcates When wants specialist in line of bust
there restrictions barriers set up employ
ing him. But in school affairs when is necessary to hire
in the whole gamut of subjects laid down by the certfcaon
department. Fortunately football coach have
be expert in Latin, Greek mathematics teach the
boys to buck the line May that day soon arrive when
our educational fobes will crumbe before plain horse
The Bismarck school board should step out and get a
woman and qualified to promote physical culture
among the students and make it real part of the local
rcuum not merely spasmodc make shft by pressing
service OVerWOrked teacher with knowledge
of calisthencs.
Enough is being spent in the school budget
it were properly dispersed to give the Bismarck schools
strong department of physical education without adding
materially to the cost Of if the board will do
the citizens will have to raise voluntarily the necessary
funds to perform function that rghtfuly the school sys-
] TENS. One writer has put the very plainly:
IF the high school graduate knows little less of
Caesers bridge building exploits but knows how to
keep his body in fit condition for maximum activity ef
ciency how to eat how maintain the normal rhythm OF
digestion he will be vastly better off than though he could
repeat Homers immortal poem by heart"