(Course 153)

 

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HRGEENE OF THs SCHOOL GROUP

Time will not allow, nor is this the place for a discussion of the history

of our sehool group. For the purposes of this carse it will suffice for

- us to have in mind the fact that the schools are one of the five basic in-

* herited social institutions; that they cannot and should not be static

institutions but responsive tothe changing conditions and increasing knowledge
of modern life.

The purpose of this section is to present the hygienic potentialities of
the schools with a view to familiarizing the student with the fundamentals
of a sound school health program, it is hoped that a study of this subject
will prepare him to intelligently participate in securing for his children
the kind of health training and health instruction that will minister tO;
rather than lower their health levels.

 

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School Population and School Costs

fhe very size and cost of the public school system would classify it as an
important matter even if it did mot lmve many other important social relation-
ships. .

In 1925, the U. S, Bureau of Education reports that the child population be-
tween 5-17 years was 30 millions, of which 24 millions were enrolled in the
public schools, We employed 814,000 teachers and paid them in salaries over
one billion dollars and added another billion for rumming expenses. If we ©
now state that the school properties are worth over four billion and a half,

we need no further statistics to realize the size of the school problem. These
figures do not incluie the private schools, colleges, and universities.

From these statistics, it is evident tit America believes in education. It
believes in it so strongly that we have adopted almost universal compulsory
education. This provision in our modern life has brarght about a radical
‘change in the physical and mental ervironment of children, Much evidence

has been accumulating that unless care is used the health and vigor of children
can be injured by their sehool experience... It is no skepticism of the wisdom
of universal education to insist that education must not be paght at the

price of health. This is the negative side of the picture.-

The positive side of the picture presents the possibilities of health building
in the schools. With the recognition of the importance of vigorous health by
the educator, we are gradually Mmving instituted in the schools mae well-
rounded health programs. The educators need the intelligent, understanding
support of parents to back them up in this aspect af education.

References: Jones, T..J..~ Four Essentials of Bdvweation, Chap. 1.
Wood, Thomas -— The Child in School.-

Bovernment of School Group

The government of the school group has been delegated to the elective members
of school boards or committees. it is self-evident that the qual ity of the
schools, including the health program, is dependent upon the character of
the individuals elected to office. We should select the members of the Board
of Education with great care. They are respons ible for our most valuabie
‘billion dollar corporation."