The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-02
DANCING IN HIGH SCHOOLS.
But the Boys and Girls Do 1t Sepa.
rately and Teachers Are Present.

Cleveland Leader.
Dancing in the public schools is again up
for discussion. resolution adopted by the
Methodist ministers at their meeting Mon
day protesting against the practice has re-
opened debate which has waxed warm in
former years. Several school officials were
asked to give their opinions on the subject.
They. willingly responded 1t was their
unanimous judgment that, as now conducted,
dancing affords the highest school pupils a
means of healthful recreation. Director of
Schools Sargent said that he had heard no
complaint from parents regarding the mat
ter. Should a sentiment against dancing
be expressed on the part of the parents, he
announced, 1t would be given careful consid-
GRAFTON.
Principal e. L. Harris, of the Central High
School, remarked, when asked for his opin-
ION, that he regarded the privilege of dane
ing as means of keeping the LOO pupils
Of his school off the street at recreation
time. There is a regular system followed
regarding dancing" said he. 1.-The teachers
are present at that time well during
other portions of the day. The time when
boys and girls do not dance together. Nom one
day for the Junior girls, Wednesday for the
boys, Thursday for the c girls, and Friday
for fhe girls; Waltzes ana sw9 ;o Fps are
have been accustomed to holding their class
parties in the building. Would it be better
to leave it thus, having the teachers with
the pupils, or would it be better to force the
pupils to go to some hired hall? The second
is reserved for those who do not care to
dance. An effort was made once to have
cards introduced as a part of the programme
were tabooed. There is no promiscuous
dancing in the building What there is is
done in order, the teachers mingling with
the pupils"
'Have you received any complaints re-
garding the praetice?" MI. Harris was
asked .ssdn - all, ha ron,,ad ..1 bave advised
girls that if their parents We're opposed to
"a l
of it. As soon as anything OF that sort IN
terferes with work, It should be stopped,
School. said, that about Is per cent. of the
girls he added, seats herself at the
piano. and the others enjoy a waltz This
Is always at LUNCH time and it lasts about Ut
creation IL the basement ana on the
from the second floor, where the girls dance.
Then twice a month the classes take turns,
staying after school and having dance
parties, as are also certain of the other
teachers; The senior class has dances more
frequently than the Others.
What is your opinion on the subject in
general?' the principal was asked
MY opinion isl he replied, chat it is
benefit rather than a detriment. It is the
only means of exercise. for the girls. 1t inn
proves the -, manners q Of the he boys and the
"Have you heard any complaint regarding
it?'
Eyes, several times. But in all these cases
the parents told me that the girls danced
more out of school than they did in school.
The majority of those in the community are
rather in favor of it than opposed to it."
Director Sargent said that no particular
action had been taken, either allowing or
prohibiting dancing. He had never received
complaints from the patrons of the schools
on the subject $50 far as 1 have knowl-
edge" he remarked, "it does not interfere
with the work in the schools. If there are
those who are not in favor of the custom,
they have not made known the fact to me-
At the reunion of one of the classes of the
Central High School not long since I re-
member that several prominent Methodists
took an active part in the arrangements"
Was there dancing at the party?'
Yes. Dancing was one Of the features
of the evening".
Did any of the Methodists dancer
\ Il think they did; some of them, at least
The director said that a rule dancing
was discountenanced in the grammar
schools. Concluding, he said
IF there should be generally expressed
desire that dancing should not be allowed
that expression would certainly be given
the fullest consideration"