The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-12
NO RECESS FOR DINNER.
TIE COMMITTEE DECLINES 10
RICO MMEYD TIE CHANGE.
III. Joseph G. DIekersoa alone Fsvors the
Pian-The Objections Of the
Principsls.

end rather protracted session Iaat even
Ing at c'cloCk, IN the once OF ouPeri nr
we're present Senator William Lovensiein,
Who presided: MIR. Joseph Z. Dickefsoii.
and Mr. James ~. Capers, OF the Boa.d
Srrsrintendent William f.. Fox, and Su-
besylsor Charles II. Rady, who recorded
kfter the transaction OF some routine
business, such as the approving OF piiis'
the Important question referred 10 ne
cCrmittee by the Board, as to the al
ysatiity, OF extending the reesss ~ ~. ne
public schools during the middle OF the
day 10 one hour and half, was taken UP.
Supt rintendent FOX explained that IN
obedience 10 the instructions received. NJ
had written 10 twenty-three superinteno-
cnts OF public schools in various sections
of the United States. and submitted 70
them a number OF pertinent questions as
10 the existing system In tneir respective
cities. and whether IL gave satisfaction
or not.
Replies in favor of dinner recess OF
from one TO two hours were received
from the superintendenis OF public schools
in Philadelphil, Albany, y. Y; Cleve-
land, Ohio; Chicago. IN; Cincinnati, ST
y: Birmingham, Ala: indianapolis.
Washington, D. G.. and Baltimore. In
nearly all Of these instances. however. the
introduced and recommended In pri-
in nearly ali The high schools but
one session per day is held, with short
intermiSsion
IN Favor or LONG RECESS.
The superintendent of the public schools
In the following cities expressed them
selves In favor OF the system prevailing
at present In the city OF RichmOnd:
Lynchburg, Norfolk, Petersburg. Atlanta,
Ga. and Savannah. Ga.
Mr.. Fox next read out n statement
comprising summary of the various COM
publications received by him on the sub
lows:
There are two plans carried out. either
two sessions per day. separated by a
long recess for dinner, or one session
only, with a reasonable recess The
plans adopted conform largely with the
customs Of the patrons of the public
schools In the various cities; In the North
two sessions per day generally prevail.
and ia the South, one. All superintend-
ents are unanimous In recommending
only one session for the high schools.
The plan best adapted for the advance
ment Of health and instruction should be
executed. In the schools OF the South a
i,onE recess would meet with serious OBJ
5ections.
THE PRINCIPALS OPPOSE 1T.
Mr. Fox next read a statement OF the
principals OF the various schools. which
contains the following fifteen objections
10 the suggested change Of system:
me change Is not asked for by the
general pubic or the patrons of the
schoois' IL has not been made in private
sCHooIS, ana there seems 10 be no incli-
nation for IL in these institutions. II
would be In conflict with the established
customs OF the public in this city. IL
would eurtail materially the time OF the
children now at their disposal for re-
creation and exercise. Many male pupils
are newsboys and they would lose the
opportunity of earning money by selling
papers In The afternoons. II would Sc
no9sly interfere with music lessons,
which most of the children now have i'm
the afternoon. The long distances would
In many instances, make il impossible
for children 10 return from their homes
In the prescribed time. Teachers would
derive no benefit from the change. which,
practically, would add ,tnother hour to
their duties. The trouble and difficulties
of discipline would be largely increased
by the change. IL seemed TO contain a
new doctrine TO the effect that hot food
was more digestible than cold victuals.
IL would increase the habit of rapid eat
ing, ard thereby the cases of indigestion
I'm this community. To eat heavy dinner
every day would dollar the children from
a condition to study. 1t would increase
hardness. and In many instances children
would fail TO return for afternoon ses-
sios. Under the change 1anitors would
not have sufficient time to put the school
day. The suggested system might work
we'll In the North, but IL was impracti-
cable In the South.
ONLY oNu PkINC IN FAVOR OF IT.
This statement was signed by all the
principals except Mr. j. l.. Ezekiel, VINO
submitted report Of his own. In il he
says that. I'm his opinion, the suggested
change is a move in the right direction.
Pupils as well as teachers would be great
~ benefited by hot meal in the middle
OF the day. The intermission would give
the tired minds an opportunity of re-
Taxing. At present the larger number or
cases of discipline occur. In the after
noon, when body and mind are more or
less worn out. The hours for meals at
the hoines of the children would soon
conform with the school hours, and the
change would teach the people a practl-
cal lesslon In hygeia. ~
Mr.. Fox also stated that Mr.. s. +.
Pendleton, of the Central School, hau SUD
mitted the question 10 his pupils Tor con.
ference with their parents. The next
morning fully thrce-fourths OF them hau
returned with replies in favor or the
system now in existence. nit,
MIR. Fox added that he had consulted
but two physicians on the subject, DIS
lewis Wheat and Taber. but that both
gentlemen had advocated the sussesleu
change, -, ,.,,oo
should he settled at once, for the unceT'
tnintw caused by the proposition was
detriment 10 the entire school system
He therefore, moved that the preseh'
system OF school hours DE rcidileu, ~
though he was in favor OF eXtehuihs INC
recess.
Mr.. rIcKSRsoN's VIEWS.
MIR. Dickerson stated that the change' IL II
agreed upon, would, OF course! nave 10 10
he excluded from the High school IN
ai the public schools, however, ne
thought any change looking 10 an IN
crease OF the school hours Would ee o.
tectionable, He had given the whoie SUP
iect much consideration, and he thouSht
the natrons OF the schools were always
endeayoring TO adapt themselves 10 'l ne
rules of the schools lie hsI COME "
The conclusion that IL would be the most
desirable thing TO do 10 allow one hour
Tor recess. possibly from Il O'Clock 70
p AZ, and during that hour no chlIa
should be kept in for punishment ~
s.ould be the privilege OF each scnolar TO
either go home during recess or remain
AZ school at his pleasure ana the thlry
minutes added to the present recess OF
thirty minutes. should be taken iToa
each of the periods OF study rms change,
II agreed upon. would make II system
OF fve working hours per day, instead
OF five and half, as at present. lie
thought this was about as far as the
board could so in the public schools, .eX-
cept the High School and he embodied
these various points in an amendment,
which he offered to Major Sapers' mo-
ton.
The latter gentleman thought there was
very serious objection 10 the amendment,
for, II adopted, IL would lead 10 a relax
ing OF discipline, and In many instances
conflicts between the two races would be
brought on II the children were enabled
TO spend so much time In the streets dur
Ing the middle of the day.
Mr. LoVenstein thought that If all the
teachers should go home TO their dinners
II would be impossible for the principal
TO sustain order among the pupils who
remained In school.
WOULD NOT BE OF MI CHI BENEFIT.
Mr.. Capers did not believe that the
proposed innovation would be of any
decided benefit from a hygienic stand
point.
Mr.. Lovenstein said the whole subject
had troubled him very much and he had