Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-04-09
QUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Of the Board OF Trust

Inc DOarQ met IaSC n1gnC "A cOHIuuuOouoAA
was received from the District commissioners
calling attention to a former order In reference
to the approval of bills. Applications were
received from DIR. Fl. Perebeau for position as
music teacher; from Flora B. Grant, w. y.
B Hattie NJ nars r K Holden
L. Boldwin, Julia F. Jones, for teachers POSI-
lions: and from George II: Childs. b. r; t cuy,s'
The superintendents presented the abstract OF
reports for March, showing numoer OF pupils
~Co1oTedMW wa heyee
5eO7: Georgetown. 40; county, 81 Total,
70 sss. Number of teachers:-White schools
Washington. PIT; Georgetown, %; county. 81.
ColOred schools. Washington, 10; Georgetown.
9: county, 81. Total. 4O1. Number OF cases OF
corporal punishment, H. Number of pupils
dismissed, %.
SCHOLARSHIPS IN HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
A letter was received from DR.. VIM. Patton,
president of Howard University, stating that
authorized him to place at their disposal four
scholarships for the coming year-two for
males and two for females-Which will admit.
at the option OF the applicants, either into the
normal or preparatory departments; said schol-
arships to be assigned to cOlOred pupils on ex-
animation. On motion OF Mi. Lovejoy, it was
referred to the committee on examinations and
prizes, and accepted.
GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER MONDAY AS HOLIDAYS
Communications were received from num-
Der OF teachers calling attention to the fact
that preceding board had dropped Good Fri
day and Easter Monday from the list of holl-
days, and that there are so many who absent
sISiJ UP uflG
be closed on those days. Communication
from Superintendent Wilson recommended that
the request be granted. Mr.. LOvejOy moved
that the request be granted. Mr.. Curtis called
attention to the action of the board in dropping
the days mentioned from the list of HOLIDAYS.
While these days were On the lists the ISraelites
used the argument that they should have their
holidays inserted or that their children should
observe them without having the time charged
to them. II they again made these days holt
days the same trouble would en5ue. He asked
members to consider before acting: the number
OF school days they have now was only about $780,
Mr.. RheeS suggested that Congress having pro-
hibited egg rolling In the public grounds may
have led to striking out these holidays. IL this
was the cause he would suggest that the chill
dren go out in the county and roll their eggs.
Mr.: Lloyd saw no IT reason SOD Why the schools
are all open and the people at work. Mr.. Love-
joy said that the superintendent and teachers
bad had experience as as TO- these holidays, and
posed the introducing OF Christian festivals in
the schools as Such. and he would as soon add
Mahommedan holiday, but If the teachers aud
pupils needed recreation he would give them
day. Mr.. Lloyd said that they may look for
petitions from other parties Ii they make these
days holidays. Mr.: Matthews remarked that
they need not dodge the question, for if the
schools are closed 1t Will be because these DAYS
are church festivals, and they might as well
grant the request, for public opinion is against
III,
are kept open, the attendance will be small
Mr.. Wilson (supt.) said 1T was true public
opinion Is against the rule, and he explained
that the sessions On Monday last year were of
put little use, for on account of the great num-
Der OF absenteeS the work had to be gone over
again. AS for the 1sraelites, it had been the
sence because OF a religious holiday not to
charge such days against the pupil Mr. Nourse
Claimed that Easter Monday was regarded as
secular holiday, and In old times all the colOred
people expected Christmas and WhitsuntIde as
n0noays. AS for the jews they ought to be sat-
lSned With their treatment in this country Mr.
because they are religious holidays but, ii
necessary, he would give another day for recre-
alton. Mr.. Smith favored the motion. saying
holidays, and the youth should be taught to OBJ
serve them and devote them to the service OF
God. Mr.. Holland.-I think the command is to
pray always: MT; smith.-Yes, but we should
me question was called and the motion of
MI; LoveJoy adopted Messrs. Lovejoy, Samson,
Nourse, Cluster, Smith and Pope dT In the az
f1rmatIve, and Messrs Davis. Lloyd Curtis, Hol-
iand' Brooks ~ in the negative.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr.. Farley offered resolution requesting
the committee on course of study to inquire
whether In: the proposed buildings, in which
schools OF the sixth, seventh and eighth grades
geous to provide a common hall; adopted. Mr..
Baldwin offered resolution requesting the
DISTRICT commissioners to modify their order
On the 31st of July. by making the date july ist
MT. Baldwin explained that 1T was desirable
mat the beard should be organized as soon after
TIE 1st OF July as possible; lost.
TEXT BOOKS AND COURSE OF Study
MI. Knees Onered resolution directing the
superintendent, supervising principals and
teacners 10 furnish the committee on text books
Wr1tten statements OF what changes they would
suggest as to text books, course of study. &c:
ADOPTED MT. Brooks remarked that the infor-
mauon could be had without resolution, and
that the superintendents would furnish all
needfQl information on the subject. Mr. Hol-
land hoped the resolution would be adopt
this manner the teachers would furnish it'
MT. Knees remarked that they wanted all the
information they could get on this subject, for
Rroots na ans Deen c9hslde1ane complaint Mr.
hao lately appeared attacking the rules and
ne de1ended tle present course Of study. Mr..
t ralrIey sald ne was not In the habit OF asking
would not ask the teachers In this case. Mr
Middleton favored the resolution, and asked for
ao v0te ~ Mr; Loye1oy thought that all the in
without asking the teachers, and he moved that
the inquiry be confined to superintendent and
Supervising sIag principals Mr. Curtis favored the
getting up church hymn book by sending out
circulars, asking Information as to the most
Pc aaTt,I tunes and thus being successful
popular pieces. The fact could not be dis
gu1sed that there was much Complaint On
tne part OF parents, and he had Thought of
onerlng q resolution that In the 5th, 6Gh, 18th
and sth grades the studies be optional. except
reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. The
parents know better what the pupils could
Dear. Mr.. Farley said that there was room Tor
Improvement and he endorsed the sentiment OF
Mr. Curtis resolution. Mr.. Lloyd thouoht that
they might get some valuable hints from the
teachers. Mr.. RheeS remarked that IT. had
peen stated that some OF the teachers had writ
ten communications to the papers and nv
adopting this resolution all would nave cha noe
TO give their views. Mr.. Davis said the srInar
lntendents had given their views, and if me
teachers views were not obtained the cOmfnit
tee will have the views OF but four or five. Mr.
Love10ys notion was lost, and the original mo-
ton was adopted.
MR.. CURTIS RESOLUTIONS AS TO OPTIONAL
STUDIES.
Mr.. Curtis offered the following which was
re1erred RESOLVED: That in the fifth sixth
seventh, and eighth grades the course Of study
shall be optional with the parents or guardians
OF each pupil as to all studies except reading
writing, spelling, and arithmetic and ain eS,
amihauons Tor promotion shall be restricted to
sucn stuoles as each pupil respectively NAV
nave elected to take. RESOLVED: That the com
mittee on text books and course of study he ra
quested to report on the expedency of chanS-
Ing the course In reading, so as to require bat