Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-21
SCHOOL IS NOW OUT.
The Exercises of Closing Day in the
Public Schools.
PLANS FOR VACATION.
Teachers and Scholars Enjoy the Last Day
in Their Own Way-A Year of Prosperous
Work - What Two Critics Said of Our
Schools.

Some 40 900 residents of the city are cele-
brating today as a gala occasion. 1t is their
day of emancipation, Of freedom. Tomorrow
they can enjoy to the fullest extent that condi-
ton of mind which has been aptly expressed in
the phrase: "They don't care whether school
keeps or not" The fact is that school will not
keep, at least the public schools for today the
public schools of the city closed and tomorrow
the summer holiday begins. Today in many
households and in the estimation of some
10000 children it was matter of considerable
moment when the hour Of arrived. Tomor-
row it won't make a particle of difference in
these households to all the children when it
does arrive, or whether they are ready to wei
come its advent with clean faces, clothes in
proper order and books in hand The hour
has lost its power, and won't regain il again
until September, when the school bell once
more sounds its daily call.
To say that the arrival Of the long vacation IL
an occasion of unmixed Joy would no: DO justice
to the parents, upon whom now the RESPONSE
bility OF looking after their children during the
day once more devolves. But on the part Of
the children there is no doubt but that the clos
ing day Of the school year is joyfully welcomed.
The teachers, too. as a rule share in this feeling
of their pupils, for now they can enjoy the rest
the year.
GENERAL GOOD TIME
The school authorities recognize the last day
Of the school year as a time Of rejoicing. For
once the routine Of school is thrown aside.
There are no prescribed tasks, no lessons
Neither. it may be said in passing, is there any
long and wearisome program of closing exer-
cises imposed on the pupils. 1t is a sort of 60
as-you-pleaSe day, when the teachers and
pnpiis are law unto themselves
Whatever the teacher and the scholars decide
among themselves to do that is the program
that is followed on the last day of the scho 81
| year. In large number Of the schools the
same order was followed today as is the rule on
any ordinary school day. The only difference
70 De noted was the presence In some OF the
rooms of the parents aud friends OF the pupils,
and also that at II o'clock school was
adjourned for the day and for the summer.
| In some OF the schools a program of music
and recitations was the order This used 10 be
the general custom on the last day Of the year.
The parents OF the pupils were accustomed to
assemble in the school rooms and listen TO their
hopeful offspring as. with many contortions Of
| face and swisheing Of dresses and hitching of
partaloons. they said their little pieces or
sang their little songs. While Superintendent
Powell is not opposed to this sort of thing, he
makes general rule either one way or
another, but wisely leaves the entire question
as to the proper mode Of celebrating the end
| of the school year to the teachers and the
scholars So il has come about that some of
the schools observe the day in one way and
Others follow another method, and they are al
happy.
YEAR OF PROSPERITY.
The past year in the schools has been one o.
prosperity and one Of progress. 1t is believed
that the schools are better now than they ever
have been, and Supt. Powell trusts that at the
close Of next year the same record Of progress
| may be made. During the past year the schools
have been investigated from two independent
sources, and from two different standpoints
| and while in some particulars the system wal
criticised. yet the result was that the schools Of
| this city were given place in the front ranks
| of the public schools of this country. III,
commissioner of education, Prof. Harris, in
specte3 the schools from the standpoint Of
machine which was designed to accomplish
certain results. and his report, which was sen
to Congress, while criticising the system in
some particulars, in general commended 1t
efficiency and standing. From an entirel.
| different standpoint the next inspection wa
made. Mr.. Rice visited the schools in the In
terests OF leading magazine which was print
ing q series of articles on the publ
schools of the principal cities of the country
He examined the schools with the view of see
ing whether the best and most modern method
known to pedagogic science were employed. an,
his article, which was reprinted in The STAR a
the time, placed our schools among the fore
most in this country. All this. OF course, i
highly gratifying to Superintendent Powell
as he reviews the events Of the pas
year. He recognizes that the excellence which
has been found by these investigators Il
be in our school system Is largel,
due to the intelligent and faithful work of tn
supervising principals and teachers OF tn
schools, who have not only given him the mos
loyal and unselfish support, but have shown il
the discharge of their duties a degree of inteIli
gence and zeal that he cannot find words 3
adequately express.
Altogether the school year ends with goo
deal of satisfaction on the part Of teachers an
scholars, and all concerned are to be com
mended for the months Of faithful and cor
scientious work.