The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-04-29
The School Vacation.

Mr.. EDIToR.-I notice the committee on
public instruction have appointed Saturday
next as a time when all interested in the pro-
posed extension of school cation will be CIV
en- hearing. Possibly suggestion by one
who is quite familiar With tho workings of our
schools may not be out of place.
The petitioners, as L understand, desire to
have the schools closed about two weeks earli-
or in June, and begin two weeks later
in the fall. One of the reasons given, is, that
during the time mentioned the heat is excess
i've. 1 think all teachers will bear testimony
to the truthfulness of this so far as the last
week in the term is concerned, and also the
first week in the fall term, but beyond such
time the heat is not oppressive, neither is it
uncomfortable in the school room. speak
from experience. Now for the suggestion. In
my opinion instead of adding four weeks to the
summer vacation, it would be decidedly wiser
to add but two weeks to the summer vacation,
and the other two as follows, viz-One at
Christmas, making two during holidays, and
another at the close of the first term in Febru-
airy, and my reasons are these:
From the last week in August till December
%, period of four months there is no rest
saws Thanksgiving day and the Friday follow
ing; from Januery LIST, till May LIST another
period OF four months, only one week is grant
ed; or from September LIST to May LIST, eight
months, only two whole weeks are given in
which to relax. But the worst feature is still
to be mentioned Daring these eight months
the windows and doors of the school room
must Of necessity bs closed TO maintain sui
table degree of temperature. The rooms at
this season are crowded, aud the air becomes
vitiated, even With the best OF ventilation,
land the majority Of our school buildings are
sadly lacking in that most important feature).
During this season also occur the shortest days
of the year and the children are hurried from
home in the morning to the school house, and
when school is closed at night, darkness comes
on apace, leaving no time for out of door recre-
alton Is it surprising that many of our chill
dren lose the bloom from their checks? Now
although / may have exceeded the limits of an
article like this, yet would be glad to add
word more. This petition was started and has
been carried through mainly by the parents,
and others interested, but not by the teachers.
am sure however that some teachers would
be glad to say a word, but for the reason that
if they take any part in it they may be accus-
ed OF seeking their own personal interest5.
Some have suggested that If the extra time is
granted the salaries may be cut down, and
teachers Tor this cause also nave reIralneQ from
taking any active part in the matter.
am aware there are some who think the
teachers now have very comfortable position,
and too much time already at their disposal
Did you ever attempt to govern Ito say nothing
of instrucD family of three or four of your
own children on rainy day when there hap
pcned to be long session of school? Have
you not been heard to say, "You nearly drive
me crazy with. your racket" Or, "I'am glad
long school don't come very often?" But when
you add to your own flock of three
or four, as many more Of those of your neigh
bors, then it becomes unbsarable, and you pack
the whole of them-where? out into the rain
maybe.
What do you think of a teacher who has
fifty of such wide awake boys and girls, not
| only to control, but to interest and instruct?
| Think you there is no strain on the nervous
| system? Three hours of such labor as most OF
our teachers give will fatigue the body more
! than double the time Of manual labor.
In most occupations there is dull season in
which about all there is to be done is to be
/. around Every moment of school life is a con-
| slant tax on the energies and nerves say
| shame on the man that would advocate de-
| Quoting one cent from the salaries now paid to
| the teachers in our schools. SCRIBE.