Summer School Diary, part 2A - 1913

ditions by abolishing the promiscuous use of pencils and books and the common drinking cup, and the disinfecting of school buildings.

14) The diagnosis and treatment of cases of mental deficiency.

It was made clear that the co-operation of the teacher is necessary that this inspection be successful If her aim is to teach children and not merely any given subject, she will detect defects as soon as the opportunity is presented. Medical inspection must come through her into the rural school By her skill, she can win the aid of the trustee and by careful presentation of the subject to the parents, she can obtain their good will. To her belongs the task of working out the problems in her district.

The teacher's problem in Nevada is not difficult. In the school laws of 1911 Sect 73 -- par. 24 Sec. 67, there is a provision for medical supervision. The work began in Reno five or six years ago.

Dr Walker showed, too, that many diseases are due to conditions of filth. To eradicate these diseases it is necessary to educate the people to avoid them by observing the laws of sanitation.

July 11. Prof. Sears of Stanford University delivered a most interesting lecture on "Rural Education."

He based his work on the statement "Education means life". The child's viewpoint should be considered as well as the teacher's. A teacher to do her work most efficiently should be familiar with the conditions existing in the homes and in the community. To do this intelligently Prof. Sears has made an outline by which a teacher may make a survey of her district. It consists of three sets of blanks, one of which is filled out by the parents one by the pupil, one by the teacher. These blanks give her detailed information which enables her, at the beginning of her term, to get a very close insight into the problems to be solved.

July 12 From 3 to 6 o'clock, the Nevada Equal Franchise Society were hostesses at a tea given in honor of the teachers at the University of Nevada Summer School.

Mrs. Sam Belford gave an address on equal suffrage. She was followed by several other speakers.

The tea was given at the headquarters of the society, and was a most enjoyable affair.

Militant?

[image color drawings of Edwardian dressed women pulling and pushing a wagon on which is written the word Express. In the wagon are boxes labeled Dynamite and Caps. Following the wagon is a woman with an axe. Below and to the front of the wagon is an older woman with a banner labeled "Equality." The drawing is labeled "Unmolested." The signature is ME Mc.]

[a color drawings of 2 Edwardian dressed women carrying placard labeled "Votes for Women", and a portion of a woman leaving the scene (her shoe only) with part of a sign "Votes for ..." and a policeman pointing to a hammer one of the women is carrying. This drawing is also signed ME Mc.].

July 12.

Virginia City. Saturday, July 12, 1913, a group of Summer School students and their instructors decided to visit Virginia City and take a peep at the inside of the mines.

Automobiles were obtained and at half-past nine a merry party left Reno.

We soon passed the green farms of the valley and began the ascent of the wonderful Geiger Grade. After winding slowly upward for an hour, we came out on the summit 7000 ft above the sea-level, then quickly descended the other side. Soon we came in sight of the many colored heaps of crushed rock, which came from the mines.

We were now near the city of Virginia with its tall buildings and narrow, steep streets.

On our arrival at the mine into which we were to descend the men kindly arranged a table of pine lumber in the cool workrooms where we spread our lunch, which was thoroly enjoyed.

Then all hurriedly attired themselves in miners' costume. Several pictures were taken of the group and snapshots of the ones, who objected to being in the pictures.

We were then fastened in the iron cage which carried us swiftly down the dark shaft for 2000 ft., where a stop was made to visit the engine room with its huge black engines throbbing and puffing. The heat at 102 degrees was oppressive; but, as our course proceeded to greater depths the heat grew more intense till on the level of 2500 ft. it was 145 degrees. All were anxious to be near the openings of the pipes, where the air was forced into the tunnel. An ice tub held a great attraction, also.

This was the lowest shaft that we cared to enter for the lower one was filled with boiling water.

While underground, Misses Howe, Lennon, and Pollock entertained us with stories of Hades that seemed peculiarly appropriate to our surroundings

On returning to the 2000 ft. level with its temperature of 102 [degrees], we felt cool and wrapped our coats around us.

We then ascended quickly to the surface and fresh air and sunshine.

After a hasty lunch we departed home

All enjoyed the trip and hope other Summer School students and teachers will enjoy a similar one in the summers to come.