City and State Volume 6 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 Excerpt: ...School Board is practically a nursery for aspirants for political honors. Reference is made to the fact that, "quite contrary to the present law, councilmen are still serving as school directors." In speaking of the Compulsory Education Act, the report calls attention to the fact that the meager appropriation granted by Councils, coupled with the small force of attendants, officers, and ever-increasing lack of accommodation, has been the main reason for an insufficient enforcement of the law. The city would be placed in a decidedly embarrassing position if the provisions of this act were rigidly enforced. At present in many sections so great is the number of pupils that it is necessary to put them on what is termed "halftime"--that is, the pupils, instead of attending the usual two daily sessions, are divided in sections, one half to attend in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. Another important item to which reference is made is the physical well-being of the school-children. If their health is to be properly guarded, the Association thinks there should be a daily medical inspection. As the report states: "A monthly visit can be of little use as an efficient curb when there is danger of an epidemic; it serves rather only as an occasional check, still permitting the epidemic to be indefinitely prolonged as before. Many cases of diphtheria, and occasionally scarlet fever, go unnoticed. Children sent home for ' sore throat' frequently fail to call a physician, and return to school when feeling well. Among a large number of parents of public school-children no dread of measles and scarlet fever is felt, and such persons often oppose proper means for the prevention of infection. With more than 300 public schools, allowing ...