Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind - Spotlite Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

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The School Session Pupils are expected to arrive on the first Wednesday in Septem- ber, and school opens the following day. The session ends on the second Wednesday of June, and the following day, Thursday, is home-going day. Prompt Entrance Parents are urged to enter their children promptly at the begin- ning of the session, for the delay of a week or two will frequently make it necessary to put the pupil back an entire session. Colored Children The School for the Colored Deaf and Colored Blind is located near Newport News. Address Professor W. C. Ritter, Superintendent, State School for the Colored Deaf and Blind, Newport News, Virginia. Compulsory Law A eompulsory-attendanee law would do much towards the uplift of the deaf and the blind of the State, for there are many children of these classes in Virginia who are never sent to school, but allowed. to grow up in total ignorance, and strange to say, the tendency on the part of many parents is to withdraw their Children from school as soon as they become useful at home, and before their education is at all completed. A compulsory law would prevent this culpable practice. Religion: Exercises Religious exercises are held every day. Sunday school is conducted every Sunday in the Deaf Department by the regular teachers. The blind pupils, however, attend the Sunday schools of their choice in town, and the plan is found to work most satisfactorily. The School is non-seetarian, and pupils are expected to attend the Church of their parents. The Ministers of the several Churches in town mani- fest great interest in our pupils and frequently hold services at the School on Sunday afternoon. Our deaf pupils are favored also several times a year by visits from two deaf Missionaries who are always welcome, and our deaf pupils are delighted with their sermons in the sign languages. A majority of the pupils become church members while at school. Healthful Location and Climate The school is situated or a beautiful hill in the suburbs of Staun- ton, which has a population of 12,000, in full view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has adjoining its lawn fifty acres of land, which affords ample play grounds for pupils and an excellent garden. In addition to the UH

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original plat of fifty acres, another plat of Fifty acres, separated from the School plat by only a public road, is used as pasturage for our herd of 30 Holsteins. This section of the state is famous for its healthful climate. We have a well-appointed infirmary, where sick pupils who need special nursing are placed. The School Physicians An experienced physician is employed to visit the School three times a week, and oftener when necessary, to look after the health of the pupils. A skillful specialist also is employed to treat those pupils whose hearing or sight seems susceptible of improvement. A trained nurse has Charge of the Infirmary at all times. Good Health The health of the pupils for the period covered by this report ttwo sessionsl was very good. Sanitary Conditions The sanitary condition of the premises is excellent. Regular hab- its, well-cooked food, pure water. a plenty of Holstein milk, and an abundance of outdoor amusements keep the pupils generally in a good physical condition. See Physician's report on another page. It has been found that Holstein milk is peculiarly healthful to children, and our herd of thirty generally furnishes enough for the entire School. Report of the Oculist and Aurist . STAUNTON, VA., Nov. 26th, 1917. My work for the two past years, as Oculist and Aurist, at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, has been of such a rou- tine nature that it scarcelv deserves reporting. Each year, since 1914, at the beginning of the session, the eyes of all the pupils have been examined for Trachoma or granulated lids. I am glad to state that this year not a single case of this terrible malady was found; all of which tends to shoxx that preventive medicine, as inculcated by the health officers, is beginning to have its reward. It is much to be deplored that we still have no law, in this State, for the prevention of Ophthalmia Neonatorum. I trust that every person connected with this School will do all that he can, to have such a measure passed, at the meeting of our next Legislature. Very respectfully, FRANK M. HANGER, M. D., Oculist and Aurist. l17l