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24
it enabled the children to have several hours
outdoor recreation in daylight after school, even
on the shortest days. I think that adequate
arrangements should be made in every school
department for heating the milk for those children
who prefer hot milk: at present this is only
possible in a few schools. Another point which
will require renewed consideration before next
winter is the question of heating the School Shelters:
high temperatures are not required, but the warmth
should be sufficient to prevent the dampness which
is prevalent in most shelters in the Borough: prolonged
stays in a cold damp atmosphere will ultimately affect
vitality, and will certainly interfere with the
subsequent efforts to concentrate on study.
The nourishment of the children has, up to the
present, given no cause for alarm. Tho rationing
system at present in force throughout the country,
whilst allowing plenty of foods required for energy,
and sufficient for the production of body-heat, docs
not provide enough body-building foods of a desirable
quality. Our sheet-anchor here is Milk: every effort
should be made to see that the milk consumption of
every child at school is increased - even doubled. It
must not be forgotten that weight for weight a child
requires a higher proportion of first quality bodybuilding
food than an adult.
The effects of frequent air-raids was very
noticeable in most schools; naturally it was most
marked in the schools in the areas which had suffered
most. In the Alexandra areain November, the nervous
and physical condition of many of the children was
distressing. Fortunately, at the end of the year, this
area, with other adjoining parts of the Borough, became
an evacuation area. The response to the offer of
evacuation was rather disappointing, but It is
satisfactory to know that the facilities and the
machinery for further evacuation from these areas
exist, and can be put into action at any time. Recently
I have noticed an improvement in the condition of the
children: they appear to bo less jumpy, and have
recovered some of the loss of tone induced by lack of
sleep and anxiety.
T. PHILIPS COLE