In the belief that a wisely administered placing-out plan is the best method of caring permanently for dependent, normal children, and, in consideration of public economy, an extensive placing-out program has been carried on from the beginning, the total number of children cared for being 7,758, most of whom have been placed in homes to the mutual advantage of themselves and their foster parents. EDUCATIONAL WORK The teaching force includes a principal, who also serves as music teacher and librarian, a manual training teacher and physical director, a teacher of domestic economy, a kindergartner and seven grade teachers, all of whom have had normal college training. The average enrollment in the school department during the past year was 320, the largest being in the four lower grades. Seventy-two boys were enrolled in manual training classes, and all children above third grade had gymnasium work. Seventy girls were enrolled in domestic economy classes. Eight attended the Owatonna city schools, six in high school and two in eighth grade. In the school programs provision is made for a library period for each class from the primary grade up, so the needs of all ages are met. The reading room has been in constant use and all children who are old enough have drawn books to read at the cottage. For the little ones who are not old enough to read, pictures and picture books have been extensively used. A feature by which good care of books is encouraged is the Library League. All who draw books are enrolled as members and agree to treat their books with respect, expecting otherwise the just curtailment of their privileges. This takes the place of the fine system in use in public libraries. In the half-hour music period each morning the children learn and practice songs appropriate to the season, songs for special occasions and for the chapel services. Music engenders an enthusiasm that is contagious and the splendid singing of our State School song makes many a newly admitted child respond with a feeling of happiness and loyalty. A children's choir has furnished special music for the Sunday School, which has added beauty and interest to that service, and on several occasions it has been called upon to sing in Owatonna churches. Some of the older children are members and attendants of the town churches. Appropriate programs representing the spirit and purpose of the occasion have been given on holidays and the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln. And at the close of the school term in June each year a more elaborate entertainment or operetta was given in costume, to which the town people were invited. RECREATION Thirty-four of the larger girls are organized into Camp Fire groups. The high ideals and out-of-door activities of this organization have contrib uted greatly to the mental, moral and physical well-being of the girls. There is also a Girls' Christian Social Club, known as the G. C. S. Club, including about 40 of the older girls, which has stimulated interest in religious and social activities. The facilities provided for games and sports afford ample means for the recreation of all ages. Boys and girls have been coached in basketball, tennis, baseball and swimming. The interest of the boys during the past year centered in basketball; and of the girls, in tennis. All such activities with their work on the lawns, in the gardens and on the farm, are important factors in relieving the routine of institution life and in the upbuilding of the children. MEDICAL SERVICE A very important factor in the care of the children during their stay in the institution is the medical service. This has been efficiently rendered by Dr. A. B. Stewart, the attending physician. In addition to the routine examination and prophylactic treatment given them upon arrival, subsequent examinations have been made, weights and measures taken and efforts made to correct any physical deficiencies found; and, as an aid to this, modifications in diet have been made to meet the needs of individuals and groups of children. Especially has the care and feeding of the infant portion of the population, always a serious problem, received the most thoughtful attention. Out of the 1,149 children cared for during the biennium there were five cases of mortality-two from pneumonia, one from chronic valvular heart disease, one from appendicitis and one from pseudoleukemia. The Dick test was given to 388 children by Dr. Huenekins of the University faculty, specialist in children's diseases, to determine their susceptibility to scarlet fever. Thirty per cent of the cases reacted and were inoculated with the new immunizing serum. Operative cases have arisen from time to time, principally of a minor character. There were 96 of tonsillectomy. Measles, which prevailed quite generally in this vicinity during the recent spring months, invaded this School, resulting in 81 cases with no fatalities. Our modern 40-bed hospital has afforded ample facilities for the care of the sick, except during the epidemic. POPULATION As shown in the statistical statement accompanying this report, the population of the School was 358 at the beginning and 363 at the end of this biennial period. In the meantime it varied from 325 to 402, being always in excess of the normal housing capacity of the buildings, which is for 315 children. Four hundred and sixty-two were admitted for the first time and 329, about 15 per cent of the number out under supervision, were returned; 762 were placed in homes and 19 discharged, 11 of whom were returned to their counties as unfit subjects. The total number cared for in the School was 1,149 and the average population was 370. Outside, the number in homes under supervision was 1,223 at the beginning and 1,189 at the end of the period, the average being 1,196; 465 were discharged from guardianship, of whom 262 were self-supporting, 52 restored to parents, 19 returned to counties as improper subjects, and 132 legally adopted. FIELD WORK In the placement and supervision of children in homes the five state agents have been active and faithful. To them is given an immensely important task. Efforts have been made to see every child remaining under guardianship as often as circumstances required. To some, especially the older girls who were unsettled and in need of constant encouragement, frequent visits were made. Others who are settled in good homes and doing well, were visited less frequently. The reports of the agents indicate that, as a rule, the minor wards are in good homes, attending the public schools, making commendable progress and doing well; that a large majority of those who have reached maturity have become a part of the normal population, are engaging in the social, religious and industrial activities of the communities in which they live and fulfilling their obligatons as good citizens. The progress of children under supervision is shown in detail in the statistical section. The staff of five agents is none too large; in fact, it has not been possible always to act promptly upon applications from people desiring to take children, and unavoidable delays have occurred. FARM The farm has been a source of income. The farm account shows a profit each year. The herd of 50 Holstein cows has supplied a sufficient quantity of milk, an important and necessary item in the diet of young children. Vegetables and small fruits have been produced in the gardens and the children's tables supplied with them in season. The orchards have produced apples in sufficient quantities to supply the needs of the School in late summer and fall. But the greatest value of the farm is the educational advantage it affords the boys who are destined for farm homes or who are to take advanced training in the University School of Agriculture. Boys have worked on the farm and in the gardens in classes and as individuals in carrying on projects in poultry raising, dairying, crop and stock raising. BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS With the appropriations granted by the last legislature for buildings and improvements a new service building has been erected and equipped, the sewerage system improved, boilers in the heating plant reset and a new cold water service pump installed, a garage erected to house ten cars, improvements to grounds made including the grading of streets and laying of walks, new fences built, furniture purchased and many repairs made to old buildings. NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTION Appropriations are needed for improvements to campus and farm, including cement walks, filling and grading, fencing and draining, $6,000; cottage for children, $35,000; tunnels and piping, $30,000; ground lighting and fire alarm system, $7,000; engine-generator, vacuum pump and traps, boiler feed pump and well repairs, $11,000; radiator guards, $1,200; shed for housing wagons and farm machinery, $1,000; furniture and furnishings, $4,000; hospital equipment, $2,500; manual training and library, $4,000; farm equipment, $2,000; and repairs, $20,000. CONCLUSION Finally, it may be said that a fine spirit among the workers and a wholesome and pleasant atmosphere throughout the institution have contributed to its harmonious operation. Respectfully submitted, GALEN A. MERRILL, Superintendent. |