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escapes. This work, with the allowance of a new 12-inch fire service water line, will protect the lives of the children.

An appropriation of $10,000 also was made for the reconstruction of the inadequate and unsanitary water sections in the north end of the boys' building. The amount appropriated, however, is sufficient for less than half the work that should be done without delay in this building.

A fair amount was allowed for repairs and equipment, but further appropriations are needed for the continuance of this work. A list of the appropriations requested is appended to this report.

Colonies

At Palmyra Colony 8 or 10 girls find employment in homes and 10 to 15 on farms and in a local canning factory.

The old house on the John C. Munro farm was remodelled to accommodate 30 boys with supervisor and matron. On the farm rented from Charles F. Snyder 25 boys are cared for without alterations. Plans were prepared for the conversion of the teamster's cottage on the north of the Fairmount Colony into a home for 28 boys. The Snyder and Munro colonies were equippe 1 out of maintenance funds and, with the exception of a special appropriation of $2500, the cost of the reconstruction of the Munro property was met from the same source. It is agreed by institu tion executives that the ideal building for children is a small unit of about twenty-five but unfortunately this plan has not been adopted by the State on account of the excessive expense involved. The cost of reconstruction of the properties at Munro and Belle Isle will be less than $12,000. The cost of fire-proof construction of two units of equal capacity at the present scale of prices an1 standards of construction would have exceeded $100,000. While these colonies are not fire-proof they are reasonably safe for the accommodation of high grade active boys and young men. They will be equipped with electric light, modern plumbing, high pres sure water supply and steam heat so that the standard of living will be better than that enjoyed by many New York State farmers Accurate figures as to the per capita cost of maintenance in the e colonies have not been compiled but will compare favorably with buildings of larger capacity.

Paroles

The parole system has been extended and continues to be a successful project. As the number of children increases and they remain away from the institution for longer periods their supervision and protection, especially the girls, becomes a more exacting and responsible task. With only one Social Investigator it is practically impossible to give some of these girls the necessary close supervision.

Health

The health of the institution has continued good. During the year there were four deaths and no contagious disease except one case of scarlet fever and minor skin troubles. Other diseases treated at the hospital include bronchitis 58, epilepsy 4, favus 1, fistula 1, fractures 2, nephritis 1, peritonitis 2, pneumonia 3. The one physician allowed this institution has been so overtaxed with the medical, psychiatric and psychometric work that it has not been possible for him to participate in the State Commission's clinics for problem children. I regret that we have not been able to do our part in work of such great social value.

School

At the beginning of the school year some changes were made, a head teacher being provided for the girls' manual training department and a man placed in charge of the boys' manual training. giving recognition to the importance of this work. Each child up to fourteen years is instructed one-half day in the grades and onehalf day in the manual training departments, including physical training, instrumental music and singing. The grade work extends from kindergarten to the fifth grade. From fourteen to sixteen the work is suited to individual needs and prospects of improvement. As long as progress is discernible a child is kept in the grades but at fourteen manual training gives place to more practical work in the shops of the institution.

The Head Teacher, under the supervision of Professor Mark A. May, Psychology Department, Syracuse University, tested the school children for educational ability.

As a result of the interest shown by teachers attending the annual conference of Teachers of Retarded Children, á summer course in Industrial Arts for Special Class Teachers was planned.

Matron's Department

The Matron's department, handicapped by the loss of trained workers, the admission of many young children, and the necessity of providing a greatly increased amount of clothing, has continued its usual standard of excellence. The Matron, assisted by the former dietitian and other officers, in addition to her regular work has supervised the canning plant which this year turned out a record amount of nearly 13,000 gallons of vegetable and fruit products.

O. H. COBB,

Superintendent.

APPENDIX

Outline of Training

Of State institutions for mental defectives in America this alone is a school exclusively for boys and girls of the higher grades of intelligence. Custodial care for the less hopeful cases is not a part of the work. The main trend of instruction is toward social rehabilitation.

The school session is from September first to July first. There are eight periods each day of forty minutes each from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M., broken by a fifteen minute assembly between the second and third and sixth and seventh periods. Children under fourteen are given one-half day of grade work and one-half day of manual training; from fourteen to sixteen, one-half day of grade work; the other half day at work in various parts of the institution. Above sixteen those who are not paroled are given instruction in band, orchestra, choir and glee club or work in the various depart

ments.

The staff consists of thirty teachers and attendant teachers. The chronological age of the children is seven to sixteen; average twelve. The mental age is about seven. Advancement in the moron group averages one grade in two years; in the imbecile group one grade in three or four years, few passing beyond the second grade. Mental inertia is responsible in some cases for failure to reach the grade indicated by tests for mental capacity. Most of the children are in the kindergarten, first and second grades; a few reach the fifth grade.

The course of study follows the New York State syllabus in reading, writing, spelling and numbers. Language work is elementary; simple rules of punctuation, capitalization, correction of errors in speech and special training in articulation. Primary United States history and geography are taught in the fourth and fifth grades. Attention is given to nature study, instrumental music, choir and glee clubs, dramatics, informal entertainments, special sense and motor training, drawing, weighing, measuring, the calendar, time telling, store keeping, and story telling.

In the boys' industrial department the Head Teacher and attendants assigned to this work instruct in wood working, rough carpentry, furniture repairing, brush, broom and basket making, shoe repairing, weaving, mat and mattress making and barbering. The supervisor assigns boys to work with the baker, meat cutter, painter, mason, carpenters, steam fitter and gardener, providing opportunity for trade instruction to those capable of benefiting. In the colonies the various branches of farming occupy the full time in the summer and during the winter months brush making is added,

The Head Teacher of the girls' manual and industrial department, with her assistant teachers and attendants, instructs in sewing, mending, dressmaking, reed and raffia baskets, crocheting, knitting, weaving rugs, and supervises the work of the knitting room, dressmaking and tailor shops, and laundry classes. In the girls' colonies dressmaking, sewing, hand laundry, cooking and serving, preparation for parole to homes, is taught by the colony assistant supervisor. Rotation of work and changes in working schedule throughout the institution are arranged by the supervisors of the boys' and girls' manual and industrial departments.

Instruction in instrumental music is given to 75 children. A girls' orchestra and boys' band are maintained, several children learn piano and later assist in the work of the kindergarten, physical training and Sunday School. There are two choirs and a glee club. A full time teacher has charge of the physical training, including social, folk and asthetic dancing, indoor games and work on apparatus. In the boys' department military formations are followed out, with boxing, wrestling, setting-up exercises, frequent hikes and contests for the development of wholesome mind and body. Religious instruction is given regularly to Proí estant. Catholic and Jewish children.

During the winter months there are weekly movies and dances. Once a month groups of children in rotation give a dramatic program for the benefit of the school. Through the kindness of organizations and individuals in the city various entertainments are given during the year. The children attend the State Fair and, when funds are available, the circus. The various holidays are suitably observed, with special emphasis on Christmas and Fourth of July. For those children whose conduct and work have been satisfactory a monthly treat is given, consisting usually of downtown movies.

Social rehabilitation is under the direction of a fulltime experienced officer. Girls are usually sent to colonies as an intermediate step to parole in private homes. These are carefully chosen with more importance given to proper environment and recreation than wages received. Boys are usually sent to farm colonies to learn general farm work, and later paroled to farms wherever possible. Boys and girls are paroled to their homes when these are suitable. and contain no neurotic members. This is done only with the approval of the committing officers. Indefinite parole has continued for nearly five years. The institution has 109 boys and girls in colonies and 222 on parole at the present time. Our graduates are not discharged until it is established that they are permanently and satisfactorily provided for.

Notice

The Syracuse State School is located in the city of Syracuse, five minutes from the center of town on the Solvay electric car line. The post-office, express and freight address is Syracuse, New York. Each package should contain the child's name and

address of sender. All communications regarding children should be addressed to the Superintendent. The school is open to the friends of the children every day of the week and to the public. every day except Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

Statistics for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1924

APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION

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