The herald., 1895-02-23

THE FREE k|ADERGARTENS
PetitiOning the School Board for
a FavOrite
STRONG FOR MRS. CLAVERIE
Prominent Women Want The kindergarten
Manager Retained
An Eloquent Protest Addressed to the r1embers
STRONG FOR MRS. CLAVERIE
An Eloquent Protest Addressed to the nembers
of the City Board Of
Education

! The following petition, which is self
explanatory, is being presented to the in
dividual members of the School Board
/ with the hope and expectation that it
may thus receive more serious attention
and produce more satisfactory results to
| the kindergarten Association and their
friends and allies than if it were set be-
fore the board during session, without
previous effort:
Gentlemen of the Los Angeles School Board
The Free kindergarten Association, of
ten years faithful work in Los Angeles,
through which work two free kindergar-
tens were early organized, and after a
number of years the value of tile new
method recognized by the public and
adopted as part of the city school sys-
tem-this association having heard of the
attempt on the part of q few persons to
secure the adjustment of the office,
which now insures the necessary supervi-
sion of the many public kindergartens in
existence here, of the qualifications of
the teachers, begs leave to enter its en-
Phatlc protest against such action on your
part as board. And begs to be allowed
to present its view of the question, which
is: That the step urged, on the plausible
plea of ECONOMY would prove most
dsastrously expensive in its results, since
the best thinkers and teachers now real
1Ze that the foundation in education (the
earliest years. as in all other building" "
is the vital factor in the safety and sue
cess of the superstructure, and needs
more careful supervision. Especially does
a new departure in education like the
kindergarten demand the most thorough
and trained oversight. As many of the
kindergartens, while competent to con-
duct their own single kindergartens, have
had no experience in the purchase or
distribution of the materials used, nor in
the direction of the management of the
kindergartens as whole in unifying
their work.
Mr. Friesner recognized the truth of
this view when tested by the results of
the supervision experiment.
We beg leave to say further, in rebuttal
OF the charges so recklessly made against
your present incumbent, Madame CLAY
erie, that she is doing all that she is asked
to do by your superintendent, and by the
former board. That she is charged by the
city as head of the kindergarten depart
ment with all the material used, and
makes detailed account of ali she uses
and distributes; moreover, that no charge
OF failure in duty or in capacity has been
brought against her by your honorable
body, which charge would he necessary,
and to be proven before she could in
equity be removed from Office without
cause; and that therefore, it is not legiti-
mate to do this on the appeal of a few
pupils, some of whom made similar
attack and charges against the former di-
rector whom many, if not all of the direc-
tors of one association felt compelled to
defend from such rebellion against a
teacher put over them by the proper au-
thorities. Our knowledge of and exceed
ing interest in the kindergarten methods
and spirit; and in the precious pupils
who receive untold help from these, under
wise motherly teachers, have prompted us
to bring this matter thus earnestly before
your honorable body, and in the hope
that our views may be carefully weighed
by you, we are, respectfully yours,
(oigned) Mrs. c. NJ. Severence,
Honorary President.
"o Mrs. Il. d. Stimson,
'r President.
Mrs Kate Hagan,
Vice President,
Mrs. J. A. Osgood,
'Il Vice. President.
Mrs. Jessie B. Fremont,
ta. Honorary Member.
Mrs. Milton Lindley,
Honorary Member.