SARA COHEN OFFERS PUPILS CHANCE TO IMPROVE IN HEALTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27040, 26 March 1949, Page 6

SARA COHEN OFFERS PUPILS CHANCE TO IMPROVE IN HEALTH

Extensions to the Sara Cohen Memorial School in Rutherford street, Caversham, were completed recently, and the school now has a roll number of 47 boys and girls. When the school was built more than 20 years ago, it was of only one classrooin, and a kitchen was then added. The late Mr Mark Cohen, of Dunedin, was responsible for its establishment—the school was named in memory of his wife—and public subscriptions helped to provide the finance. The first “ open air ” school in the province, it began as an experiment and soon, proved its worth in the community.

The children who attend Sara Cohen School are those whose health needs “ building up,” and who require more rest than the average child; also children who suffer from asthma and are affected by the chalk used in the ordinary classroom. These children come from all parts of Dunedin, and are selected by a school doctor. Dr G. Stevenson. Most of the children remain at the school until their health is completely restored, but those suffering from asthm.a are permanent pupils. The school day is from 9.15 a.m. until 3.15 p.m. Before they enter the classrooms in the morning, the children each have a teaspoonful of cod liver oil. They each have another teaspoonful at 1 p.m. Without exception, the children like their cod liver oil; many of them, like Oliver Twist ask for more. At both the morning and afternoon intervals, drinks of milk are provided. The children also have a specially-prepared mid-day meal at the school. Dr Stevenson took part in planning these meals, which include plenty of milk, eggs and fruit. One of the most important periods of the day is the rest hour between 1 and 2 o’clock, when the children relax restfully, or sometimes sleep, on the stretchers provided for each of them. They rest out of doors in fine weather, or in the open-air classroom when it is wet, and blankets are available when needed. During their hours of ' study, the children receive the normal lessons as at any ordinary school. Dr Stevenson visits the school periodically and examines each child. Another frequent visitor is Nurse M. M. Watt, a school nurse, who weighs each child once a week and measures their heights every three months. The head teacher is Miss M. Morgan, and her assistant is Miss N. Johnston. Also on the staff is a cook, who expertly prepai'es the meals. Sara Cohen is now a complete school, well equipped for its special purpose. After the school was established it came under the control of the Education Board, and the board was x-esponsible for the recent extensions. The school now has two spacious classrooms, a new kitchen with all modern conveniences, a servei’y. complete with hotbox, ample storage cupboards and a pantry, a stretcher room, bathroom and shower room, lavatories and a teachers’ room, as well as a library, with its small collection of excellent books. The school is heated by hot pipes that pass from the furnace under the floors of the rooms.

Strong support is given to the school by the parents, who have an organisation which takes a keen and practical interest in the valuable institution.