Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-11-15
SUP PLE M ENT.
CITY AND DISTRICT
THE NIGHT SCHOOLS.
A Talk with superintendent Powell
The Plan Of Organisation.

Prof. w. B. Hbwell, superintendent of schools,
In conversation with a STAR reporter to-day, in
regard to the night school system, said:
at is wonderful how popular the new system
ia with the students. They are delighted with
1t. On our opening night, last Monday, there
were in attendance at the three white schools
In the District at least two hundred persons of
both sexes and all ages, and on Wednesday
night. the second of the course, there was an In
crease of about thirty per cent. One singular
thing, which is of great interest to me, but not
to others perhaps, is that In the three schools
there was an equal number OF students! In the
beginning 1t was deemed advisable to restrict
the eoucauonl privilege to persons not over
they have attained that age and the acquire
en q S. An
nass and Simply re attend.
branch. Also no children will be permitted in
the schools when it is known that they can just
as conveniently attend the day session. At
the start, we labor under one disadvantage,
having an appropriation Of only $4,000 for our
purpose. However, We are endeavoring TO use
that sum to the best by estsSiis s
whites are situated In the Peabody, Henry and
Franklin buildings, and are respectively in
r. Foster, T. Richards and f. A. Springer, who
are responsible for their good management.
Prof Foster is also an instructor at the Howard
grades or classes the primary. the intermediate
and higher grade; each grade being under the
instruction OF a competent teacher. All of the
schools, however, receive instruction in the
three RS - 'readin', ritin' and rithmetic,
and last but not least English com ION,
There are two features | specially desire to
have observed: they are first, the principal of
by the progress made by the higher grade
scholars, to establish still higher grade in
which algebra, geometry. rigof1metry, etc.
Quired to deliver q sort of lecture at least once
an evening, TO each grade upon such subjects
as physical geography physiology ss sr and I'd
be, of course, simplified to suit the understand
ing of his listeners. You will see therefore that
the position OF principal must necessarily be
opinion OF the industrial SYSTEM Well, that
subject is one which has not yet been discussed
by the board, but personally believe 1t will
obtain here before a great while, still, when
properly conducted IL assumes such immense
proportions that in our present state an attempt
Educators throughout the country are fully
aware of the fact that person to he
consistently educated should have not only
his brain, but his hand and eye cultivated. But
we must first be content to clear the path
before building fences along it. The teachers
of each grade We're selected from those who
pose some time ago, and In almost every in
stance have had previous experience in their
pFbieSSiOu. AS nave remarked DelOTe, Oh ac.
count OF the smallness OF the appropriation, the
night school term will be of five months dura-
ton. and even then only three evenings per
week-MOnday, Wednesday and Friday even
ings from 1880 until O'Clock p. m. This pro-
gram will obtain until our facilities have been
increased by action OF Congress. Most certainly
l believe we shall receive larger amount to
conduct the system next year. II the success
We have achieved up to date is prophetic of the
future we shall be warranted in requesting a
much greater appropriation. That is about all
have to say. Good morning..
superintendent Cook, of the colored
schools, said the colored night schools
are in The Sumter. Cook and Lincoln buildings
and each under the respective supervision of
Milford. Superintendent Cook states that ION
Monday night 400 persons attended the differ
ent classes. ana on Wednesday evening there
was an increase OF nearly 80 per cent In facial
the Sumner building over forty were refused
admittance simply because we were unable TO
seat Them"