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PRELIMINARY REPORT
on Surveys of
SCHOOL BUILDImS AND EQIIIHE‘NT
HEALTH AND PEIYSICKL EDUCAIEION IN THE SCHOOLS
made ‘by
Chambers of Commerce
in Cooperation with
THE CIVIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CKAMBER 0F C(EMRCE OF THE UNITED STATES
FOREWQRD
The following is a report on surveys of public schools
made under the direction of Chambers of Comnerce throughout
the United States is cooperation with the Civic Development
Department of the National Chamber of Commerce.
This report is not issued with the idea that the data contained
therein is in any sense complete. As information is being re—
ceived constantly from various cities it is issued as a progress
report in mimeographed form.
Chambers of Commerce in 160 cities returned the informtion
called for on the Bealth and Physical Education question sheet.
The fact that only 61 cities made reports on the preceding
questionnaire concerning school ‘buildings and equipment indi-
cates the growing interest in education among Chambers of Commerce.
Although the nmnber of cities covered is insufficient to permit
of accurate general conclusions, the facts revealed are suggestive
and are of value in indicating general trends. They also afford
a basis for comparisons thus stimulating continued study and im—
provement of school conditions. Pending the compilation of com--
plete figures, education committees in Chambers of Comnerce will
derive real assistance from the material presented herewith, in
the preparation of which the Education Service of the Civic De-
velopment Department has expended considerable care and effort.
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ESQEEZIALS OF A GOOD SCHOGL sYsma
The impression given by the reports from the cities exanfined (which are
among the most pregressive in United States) is that although com—
mendable progress has recently Been made in bettering school conditions,
we do not yet fully appreciate the fact that the health of the oncoming
generations is a priceless asset to the community.
The most significant elements in the reports are these:
1,
3.
The increasing number of cities maintaining open air schools
or classes thus salvaging imperfect human material and con-
verting it to a high grade product.
The increasing number of cities providing milk for the under-
nourished school children‘
The increasing nmnber of cities providing a hot lunch or a
hot dish for all the elementary school children.
Two facts which merit careful consideration are:
1.
2.
The absence of medical examination before children are
admitted to the schools. (Less than 46% of the commmities
take this essential precaution to safeguard the health of
the community.)
The lack of adequate playgrounds where all the children
can add to their store of health and strength. (Only
42% of the cities claim adequate facilities.)
Other significant facts are these:-
65% of the cities have school physicians
about 60% have dental clinics
about 85% have school nurses
c5...
The steady increase in dental clinics and school nurse systems in the
Past few years has ‘been among the notable developments in American schools.
If the school health work is to function properly it is certain that there
must be proper contact between the health officials and the parents.
Evi-
dently there is not such contact-as only about 2.0% of the schools send
weight records home with the monthly reports‘
The reports on buildings and equipment show us
1.
2.
3.
That not enough attention has been paid to
erecting the type of building which will stand
theiest of years.
Ithat we are not giving our children a square
deal in not protecting them from fire.
That many cmnmities tolerate defects in the
school buildings which make for impaired eye-
sight; weak lungs; and the spread of disease.
Among the elements being developed in the commmi ties which have the
most modern school sys tems are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5‘
6.
Properly planned buildings rightly located and
surrounded by adequate open spaces.
Efficient health organization, including school
physicians, dentists and nurses.
Thorough medical examination of all children before
admission to school.
Provisions for nourishment not only for malnourished
‘out for all elementary school children.
Outdoor classes and schools.
Health instmcti on and supervised play.
In October 1921 the Civic Development Dspartrent of the National
Chamber of Commerce issued in its series of pa galls ts on The Schools
of Your City, one on the subject of School Buildings and Equipment,
and in May 1922 one on Real th and Physical Education. with these
pamphlets there were sent to Chambers of Commerce, question blanks
to guide education comittees in making surveys of the elementary
schools in their community.
Up to the time this is written 63. cities have sent into the National
Chamber their findings on School Buildings and Equipment and 160
those on Health and Physical Education. Thirty-six sent in the resul ts
of both surveys.
Cities Giving Data on
School Buildings and Equipment.
Alexandria, La. Euntingburg, Ind. ' Rochester, N. Y.
Alliance, Ohio Eutohinson, Kansas Rock Falls, Ill.
Argos, Ind. Indianapolis, Ind. Sacramento, Calif.
Beaumont, Tex. Jamestown, N. D. Santa Ana, Calif.
Billings, Mont. Kearney, Nebr. Silver City, N.Mex.
Columbus, Ohio Lebanon, Ind. Sioux City, Ia.
Conshohocken, Pa. Lincoln, Nebr. Somerset, Pa.
Cordova, Alaska Long Beach, Calif. Sterling, Ill.
Corsicana, Tex. Lynn, Mass. Titusville, Pa.
Crawford, Neb. Manistee, Mich. Tracy, Calif.
Deland, Fla. Middletown, 0. Trinidad, Col.
East Liverpool, Ohio Moundsville, Va. Tuscaloosa, Ada.
Englewood, NJ. Muncie, Ind. TJalsenlmrg, Col.
Fair-field, Ia. New Haven, Conn. ‘T’arren, Idaho.
Farrell, Pa. Newport News, Va. Warren, Ohio
Ft. Lander-dale, Fla. Newton, Iowa. Waukegon, 111.
Great Falls, Mont. Oshkosh, ‘His. T~’;'ellington, Kane.
Hartford City, Ind. Pasadena, Calif. Winfield, Kane.
liills'boro, 1ii'is. Peabody, Mass. Winona, Minn.
Il'oquiem, Wash. Phoenix, Arie. York, Nob.
Ranger, Texas
CLASSES OF CITIES 0f the 61 cities making returns (representing 28
States and one territory) 1 has a popnlation of over 300,000; 3 from
-5-
100,000 to 300,000; 6 from 50,000 to 100,000; 7 from 25,000 to 50,000;
is from to 25,000; 6 from 10,000 to 15,000; 15 from 5,000 to
10,000; 13 below 5,000.
W3 01''‘ 50.30% The muster of schools examined was 701 in the 61 cities.
DATE OF CONSTRUCTIQH 0f 5'79 buildings of which the date of cone truction
was reported 1 school was built prior to 1840; 2 between 1840 and 1850; 3
between 1850 am 1860; 23 between 1860 and 1870; 49 between 1870 and 1880;
79 between 1880 and 1890; 94 between 1890 and 1900; 124 between 1900
and 1910; 142 between 1910 and 1920; 62 between 1920 and 1922.
These figures raise the question as to the proper life of school build-
ings throughout the United States, particularly as experts state that
the average life of school buildings in the United States is not over
30 years. Within the past few years there have been advances in
lmowledge concerning proper lighting, ventilation, sanitation, fire
prevention and artistic design which have caused many communities to
abandon school buildings structurally sound and usuable and erect in
their places others which conform to modern standards. The life of
school buildings erected from now on should be much longer than those of
an earlier period if the proper attention is paid to essentials at the
time of erection. Some of the more important of these follow:
1. Location of the school building in the proper rela—
tion to the general city plan and trends of population.
2. Sufficient school grounds for adequate play space, light
and ventilation covering possible future additions as well
as present needs.
3., Provision for future additions which will not interfere with
good design, light and ventilation.
4. Adequate lighting, fire resistive materials, etc. so that
even if it becomes necessary at a later time to change room
-6”
arrangements the general structure of the building need
not be changed.
5. Architectural design of simple, effective type.
NUMBER OF EU‘PILLS TO A ROOM Thirty—three per cent of the rooms examined
contained 40 or more pupils; 5% contained 50 or more and several rooms
were reported having from 70 to 100 pupils.
The maximmn limit of capacity of a class room should be 40, and 35 is
a more desirable mm'ber. In school "rooms containing more than 35 the
individual attention which can ‘be given to each pupil is not adequate
for good results.
. TYPES OF DESKS AND SEATS Out of 647 schools examined it is stated

that in .571 attention is paid to the proper seating of pupils. It
is impossible to gather from the data given in answer to the questions
as to type of desks and seats how many are adjustable to the size of
the pupil.
"Adjustable desks are essential. There are cases of crooked spine;
stooped shoulders and impaired circulation developing in your schools.
Stop them today and strengthen the future of the comnuni ty. "
"The Schools of Your City."
GORRIDORS Thirty—three buildings were found wi thout natural, outside
light in the corridors. In 34 other ‘buildings some of the corridors
had no outside light. Both health and safety demand that there be
natural light in all corridors‘
STAIRWAYS Gut of 398 schools on which reports on stairways are made,

only 66 have all the stairways enclosed in fire resistive material,
352 do not._ Eighty—eight ‘per cent of the schools have stair landings;
and 85% do not have sharp corners or obstmctions on the Stairways.
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“Stair-mire should lead directly to the outer exit. No stairway
is safe unless it is’ enclosed in fire resistive material including
wire glass, All stairways should have landings the width of the
ate-mireJ half—nay between the floors. There should be no projection
or sharp corners on stairs or landing which might cause a crush. "
"The Schools of Your City."
momma Twenty-three schools or 5% of all those examined as to lighting
have insufficient light in all rooms. In addition. 442 rooms in various
schools are reported. to have insufficient light. Forty-six rooms have
windows children 211L181; face. In eight schools all the rooms have cross
lights and in addition in 641 rooms there are cross lights. when out
of a comparatively small number of schools, and these in the more pro-
gressive comrmmities, so much unsatisfactory lighting exists, it is
easy to imagine the damage being done yearly to the eyes of school
children all over the country.
"Most of the factors tending to cause eye—strain exist in the schools.
Among them are improper illumination, glare from windows, from glazed
paper and from improperly arranged artificial illumination,- ; improper
seating, poor printing and improper type."
Berkovvitz "The Eyesight of School Children"
VENTILATION Approximately 23% of the schools investigated were found
to have msatisfactory ventilation. 0f the total number of 629 schools
reporting on this question windows were used for ventilation in 205,
artificial ventilation in 382, and both systems in 44.
The means of providing proper ventilation in school rooms is a matter
which is still under sharp discussion by experts. There can be no
discussion, however, of the desirability of having a constant supply
a
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of fresh air in every class room. When you step into some
class rooms where school has been in session for 2 or 5 hours
the order is stifling. Can the effect be anything but detrimen—
tal to the health mental alertness of our children?
TQILETS The toilet rooms in 554 schools were found to be
adeguately lighted; those in 41 were not.
"If you Wish children to preserve decency and cleanliness in
school toilets turn in the light."
Public School Survey, Memphis, Tenn.
Five hundred thirty-five buildings were found to have adequate ventil—
ation in the toilet rooms and 49 had not. Seventy—five per cent of
the toilets were ‘in the main building; 25% in out-buildings. Of
6G3 schools examined, 470 use sanitary flush toilets; 108 sewer
connected vault; 8 cesspool and 17 privy.
“Be sure that the toilet rooms in your city schools do not develop
diseased bodies and perverted minds. "
"The Schools of Your City. "
.9...
Cities Giving Data on
Health and ‘Physical Education
Aberdeen, 8. Dak.
Alexandria,’ Ia.
Allentown, Pa.
Ann Arbor, Mi ch.
Argos, Ind.
Athens, Ga.
Atlanta, Ga.
Auburn, N. Y.
Bakersfield, Calif.
Bayfinne, N051,
Battle Creek, Mich.
Beamnont, Tex.
Belleville, Ill.
Bellingham, Wash.
Bethlehem, Pam
Billings, Mont.
Birmingham, Ala.
Bloomington, Ill.
Boston, Mass.
Bozeman, Mont.
‘Bridgeport, Conn.
Brockton, Mass.
Buffalo, N. Y.
Cairo, Ill.
Carthage, Mo.
Casper, Wyo.
Chambersburgh, Pa.
Charleston, 5.0.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Chihago, Ill.
Clarke sburg, W. Va.
Cleveland, Ohio
Colmbus , Ind.
Columbus, Ohio
Concord, N. H.
Conshohocken, Pa.
Cordova, Alaska
Crawford, Neb.
Cumberland, Md.
Denver, Col.
DeRidder, La.
Durham, N. C.
Eau Clair , Wis .
East Liverpool, Ohio
Elizabeth, NJ.
Ellwood City, Pa.
El Paso, Tex.
El Reno, Okla. ,
Farrell, Pa. Fallon, Neb. Fon du Lac, Wis.
Fort Smith, Ark.
Frankfort, Icy.
Frederick Co. , Md.
Gary, Ind.
Gloucester City, NJ.
Gloucester, Mass.
Gloversville, N.Y.
Great FallsJIiont.
Greeley, Colo.
Greenfield, Mass.
Greenville, 8.0.
Greenwich, Conn.
Henderson, Ky.
Nov]-
Iioboken, N. J.
Hopkinsville, Ky.
Hoquiam, ‘Z’ash.
Hudson, N. Y.
Huntingburg, Ind.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jamestown, ‘21.3).
Joliet, Ill.
Fearney, Nebr.
Knoxville, IIenn.
Lebanon, Pa.
Lewistown, Mont.
Lima, Ohio
Lincoln, Nebr.
Lockport, N. Y.
Long Beach, Calif .
Lynn, Kass.
Macon, Ga.
Madison, Wis.
Manistee, Mich.
Manila, P. I.
Marietta, Ohio
Marion, Ohio
Marshfield, Wis.
Massillon, Ohio
Nenominee , Mi ch.
Michigan City, Ind.
Middletown, Conn.
Middletown, Ohio
Missoula, Mont.
Modesto, Calif,
Molina, Ill.
Natchez, Miss.
Newark, N.J.
New BedfOrd, Mass.
Newburgh, N. Y.
Newport, Pa. _
Newport News , Va. Newton, 16. f
New York City
Norwalk, Conn.
Ogden, Utah.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Omaha, Nebr.
Oshkosh, Wis.
Oswego, N. Y.
Qovego, N. Y.
Pawtucket, 33.1.
Pendleton, Ore.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Phoenix, Ariz.
Portland, Maine
Portland, Ore.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Providence, 3.1.
Reading, Pa.
Reno, Nev.
Richmond, Va.
Rochester, N.Y.
Rock Falls, Ill.
Rock Hill, S.C.
Vt»
Saginaw, Mich.
Salem, Nass.
Saline, Kane.
Salt Lake City, Utah.
San Mateo, Calif.
Santa Ana, Calif.
Saratoga Springs, NJ’.
St. Joseph, Mich.
Schenectady, N. Y.
Scranton, Pa.
Seattle, Wash.
Shreveport, La.
Sierra Madre, Calif.
Silver City, N. Mex.
Springfield, Mass.
Springfield, Ohio
Sterling, Ill.
Somerset, Pa.
Taunton, Mass.
Topeka, Kansas
Trenton, N.J.
Trinidad.’ C01.
Troy, N.Y.
Urbana, Ill.
Utica, N.Y.
Walsenburg,‘ Col.
Warren, Ohio
Washington, 13.0.
Waterbury, Conn.
Wellington, Kane.
Wilmington, Del.
Winona, Minn.
Worcester , Mass.
.10..
GLASQS 0F CITIES 0f the 160 cities making returns; 10 have a
population of over 500,000; 19 from 100,000 to 300,000; 26
from 50,000 to 100,000; 25 from 25,000 to 50,000; 28 from 15,000
to 25,000; 1.8 from 10,000 to 15,000; 22 frm 5,000 to 10,000;
14 below 5,000. These cities represent '46 States, the Philippine
Islands, the District of Columbia and Alaska. The total nmber of
pupils in the elementary schools of these cities is 3,018,896.
WK UPON ADMISSION TO SCHOOL In 62 of the 160
cities all the children are given a medical examination upon their
admission to the schools. In 98 of the cities no such examination
is given. The cities from 50,000 to 100,000 make the best showing,
61% giving the‘ medical examinations. The worst showing is ‘by
cities between 15,000 and 25,000, only 25% giving examinations.
The approximate percentage of cities of the other classes giving
examinations is as follows: below 5,000, 2 2/0; between 5,000 and
10,000, 55%; 25,000 to 50,000, 505%; 1oo,ooo to soo,ooo,3'7%;
above $00,000, 33-1 /:s%.
"where the State compels children to go to school it must in fairness
protect their health and not introduce diseased persons among them.
Before the child is admitted to the schools for the first time he should
receive from a physician a. careful physical examination and. thereafter
should have at least one such examination annually. "
~ “The Schools of Your City"

SCHOOL PHYSICIANS AND SCHOOL NURSES One hundred three of the cities
included in this survey have school physicians and 54 do not. Mo re
' than 1/3 of the cities below 5,ooo do not have school physicians, ‘but
in the classes above 5,000 the proportionate number of cities having
physicians does not vary greatly.
.11..
Ahout % of the physicians employed in the schools of these
cities are on full time and 91% on part time.
Ninety-three of the cities have ciental clinics in the schools and.
66 do not.
fine hundred thirty—five of the cities have school nurses and 25 do not.
The maxim number of pupils whom a nurse can look after with any
degree of thoroughness is 3,000, and. 2,000 is a much better number.
The average mnnber of pupils to each nurse in cities which employ
only one nurse in 2825 and. in cities employing two or more 5037,
The greatest number of pupils to one nurse is 17,835 in a western
city - the smallest nmnber is 550 in a comunity of 1977 in Penn—
sylvania.
A mzmber of the cities which do not have school physicians have
school nurses. Either nurses or physicians regularly inspect
the children for defects or incipient illness in 132 of the 160
ci ties .
"Since it will not be possible to obtain permanent improvement in
society as a whole in respect to the ‘bodily defects of children and
adolescents until the whole coummi ty has ‘been enlightened in regard
to nutrition, housing, conmunity cleanliness and the medical means
of controlling epidemics and resisting the spread of venereal dis-
eases, this medical instruction to be given through physicians and.
nurses employed, at the public expense, is the most legitimate kind.
of public instruction. "
"Report of the Department of Instruction, Iowa."
m AND USE OF TIE EYES In 39 out of 160 cities no instruction is
given in the care and use of the eyesai In the other cities instructions
s13-
are posted in the school buildings or studied in the class rooms;
Rules for the proper use of the eyes have been prepared by the
Department of Education in one state - these rules are posted in
the class room or on the corridor bulletin board. 'Zhe Civic Devel—
opment Department will forward a copy of these rules upon request.
"No doubt the school progress of a great army of school children
is blocked by defective vision. Obviously the efficiency of a
tremendous number of workers is lowered by the same cause. The
, treatment of contagious eye diseases, the correction of defective
vision by proper glasses, the improvement of school conditions which
cause eye strain, these things play a large part ‘in the development
of capable members of the community."
"The Schools of Your City"
OPEN AIR SCHOOLS OR CLA§§ES Forty-one cities report that they have
open air schools or classes and a number of others state that they
will establish this sytem in the near future. The freshpair move-
ment in the schools is growing and its vital importance is more and
more reali zed.
"The open air class in our most progressive cities is salvaging
imperfect human material and converting it to a high grade product.
More than that the benefits of fresh air are being extended to normal
as well as subnormal children. Any school room by means of open
windows, draft screens, and foul-air outlets in the ceiling can be
made into an open air class room. Roofs and porches are being
utilized for this purpose with splendid results."
"The Schools of Your City."
PLAYGBQUNDS AND SUPERVISED PLAY In answer to the question, "Do
the schools all have adequate play grounds?" 91 answer no and 68 yes.
The smaller cities have of course the best showing. Of those under
as
under 5,060, 71% report that all their play grounds are adequate;
those from 50,000 to 100,009 only 30% have adequate grounds and
in those above $00,000 the percentage falls to 11. Fifty-four
of r the cities have no supervisor in charge of the play grounds.
"A physical education system which develops eleven players and
a thousand spectators will never go far in raising the physical
efficiency of America. The one thousand must participate;
those who are weak and physically defective most of all. Every
progressive community will provide ample outdoor space for all its
children. This necessitates attention to a well devised, far seeing
city plan. Supervised play is essential. ‘Without direction the
weak and timid stand no chance, the lazy are idle, the underweight
suffer from fatigue. “
"The Schools of Your Ci ty."
WIGHT RECORDS In 102 of the cities scales are provided in all
the elementary school buildings and in 56 they are not. Only
34 cities send home the child's weight record on the monthly
report card.
Pupils can be interested in building up strong, well nourished
bodies. They must, however, have the proper facilities so that
they may note their progress.
NUTRITION Thirtyetwo of the cities provide a hot lunch or hot dish
for each child in the elementary schools. Eight have milk available
for all the children morning and afternoon; two provide it in the
morning; 94 have milk available for the undernourished children.
The malnourished child is retarded physically and mentally so that
he does not have a fair change in life. A hurried breakfast and
a cold “box-lunch" eaten at the school are not conducive : to health
.14..
‘building we nutrition experts agree that the child. should have
milk in the middle of the morning, a hot lunch or hot dish with the
lwmeh at noon, and. if possihle some nourishment in the middle of
the eftemeon.
PROGiAM OF HEALTH EDUCATIQ In the public schools of 133 cities
time is allowed. each may fer training the children in the estab-
1i shment of proper health ha’ai ts and in 26 no such training is
given. This training includes teeth brash cirills, breathing exer-
oises,_ instruction in dietetics, personal hygiene, etc. One hundred
forty-eight cities have a program of general heal th education which
reaches every child in the elementary schools and 11 do not.
~ - - ~ -- - — William Mather Lewis
Chief, Education Service
November 5, 1922. Civic Development Department
TEE STAFF
of the
CIVIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTZ‘ENT
John ihlder, Manager
Dorsey ‘9?. Hyde, 31%, Assistant Manager
Education Bureau
Yfilliam Mather Lewis, Chief
Hgusing and Bi ty Planning Bureau
Under direct charge of the Manager
S. G. Lindholm in charge of housing surveys
Imigration and Ci ti zenshijg Bureau
“.wrUnder direct charge of the Izlanager with Assist-
ance of
Chief of Education Bureau
National Civics Bureau
Under clirect charge of the Assistant Manager
Organi gation Servicefiureau
Bolvin B. Brown, Chief,
F. Stuart Fitzpatrick, Assistant
“15..
, ems mom DEPARW
PUBLI we: one
The Department publishes monthly at four page
"Information Sheet" containing brief yaragraphs on subjects
of cm'rent interest in the civic field. It also has
issued through its bureaus the following pamphlets and
special reports:
1. Question Service
Publications
1. Schools, Citizenship and Business
_2. The Schools of Your City
I. The General Situation
II. School Buildings and. Equipment
III. Health and Physical Education
(Two other pamphlets are to
fOIIQW.)
II. Lions ing ang City Planning
Publications
1. A Housing Program (two printings)
2. The City Plan and Living and Torking Conditions
3. Building and Loan Associations
III. National. Civicsfi Bureau
Special Reports
1. American Forms of Municipal Government
2. l'hmicipal Water—Supply Systems
3‘ City Plan Commissions
4. Zoning and. City Planning
5. Americanization
6‘ Playgrounds
7. Automobile Tourist Camps
8. ConmJni ty Foundations
9. Social Agencies (Including Financial"
Federations, Comminity Chests, etc.)
IV. Organi zati on Servi ce Bureeli
Publications
1 . Traffic Bureaus
2. Community Advertising and Publicity
3. Agricultural Bureaus and Committees
4:. Building and Maintaining a local Chamber of Commerce
5. Retail Trade Extension
6. Industrial Development
7. Commercial Organization Credit Bureaus
'News Letter
The Organization Service Bureau publishes a semi-
monthly "News—Letter" addressed. particularly to the secretaries of
commercial organisations.