The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-12-06
THE THIRD WARD SCHOOL

Close observers intereste. II education
have had their eyes turned toward tn,
| Third ward school during the past two
years. The school was forced to meet con
ditlons which portended to materially al
| ter its future. The realization of its hope;
dared to be anticipated by some 10 conse
! quence of the progressive, satisfactory
| state of affairs during the late period
| when a combination of circumstances
shattered the promise in one blow. a
| conspicuous example worthy of emula-
| ton was wrested from the school
| when lie bright and industrious pupils
who would have introduced new fu-
| ture" severed their connection with it a
| few weeks ago. Thus evidence speaks
| plainly that the Polish residents used
our school but as temporary, conven.
lent and ready makeshift during the dis
| continuance of their school.
About two years ago the Polish con-
| gregation" suffered the loss of their
priest; at the same time their school
was discontinued. AS result about ITO
Polish children II the midst of term
knocked at the doors OF the public school
for admission. As all arrangements for
the school are perfected annually by the
school board previous to the commence
ment of the school year, the school board
was now TO solve difficult and intricate
problem which threatened more than
once 10 engulf them IN its involved ana
perplexiDg aspects. The pupils who were
clamorlng for admission, ranged from
SIX to fifteen years of age, with qualifca-
lions In corresponding diversity. AS the
methods and curriculum of their school
differ materially from those of the Third
ward school, the attachments of the pu-
pills would not permit of their lncorpora-
ton INTO the existing grades of our
school. A temporary preparatory de-
partment was accordingly created in
which the opportunity was presented to
prepare them for the regular grade work
The cry that prejudice against the Po-
lish children" prevented their lncOrpora-
ton into the school, made the IN
fortunate yet necessary state of affairs
well nigh unbearable. Unintiuenced by
the unj Just accusations the school board
firmly adhered to their outlined policy
which TO the best of their Judgment WAS
for the veal Of all the pupils. By virtue
of regular attendance coupled with in
dustry the ausp1cious day arrived when
the wishes of the Polish parents to have
their children properly incorporated into
the school, could he gratified. They were
introduced into the grades OF the school
at the beginning of this school year. In
the interim the school board made ar
engagements whereby 625 pupils could be
accommodated In place of the former, 40
permanent pupils. New rooms were fur
nished, text books were bought, teachers
We're hired-all was done IN their interest.
The few new pupils received during
the school year, with those irregular
In attendance, cause as rule more anX-
iety and extra work to place anC keep
in grades best adapted to their needs
than the remainder Of the regular
school does. The herculean task of re-
grading and reorganlzing the entire
school was undertaken Ia the interests
of the Polish children. And how are our
efforts repaid? after two months of sat-
Isfactory work, the flood Of isl children
which inundated the school receded as
systematically and erratically as it came
leaving but few behind. In grades in
which the attendance averaged 60, the fol-
lowing Monday but three were present in
one grade, % IN another, etc. Not word
of explanation is offered in justification
of leaving the school in the midst of the
school year, in justification of involving
the school IN needless expenses which
can not be- curtailed during the year, and
in Justification of compelling the furnish
ing Of now well-nigh vacant rooms. Not
a word is offered IN justification of their
course IN intiictlng the greatest of all the
evils upon the school 1.-The DISCRIMINATION
of the school.
1t is but right that the permanent pu-
pills and patrons shall hear a word in their
behalf after suffering uncomplainingly
that irreparable injury visited upon them.
The reorganization of the school has again
been completed. Glasses were again nee
essarily disrupted, the new classes
assigned to permanent quarters for the
remainder of the school year. With your
cordial support at the present time
as 10 the past the evil consequences of
the unsettled state of affairs during the
recent past Will be averted to great
extent. The SCHOOL BOARD.