New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-10
VACATION SCHOOLS TO OPEN.
TwENTY-EIGHr THoUeAND CHILDREN ~
TENDED WITH GREAT SUCCESS
Last vEAR

The Association for Improving the Condition u
the Poor will open the vacation schools on Nom
day In Grammar Schools No. IS. No. Is Norfolk
ST.; No. s.. No. as West Twenty sixth-st.: No. a.
No 2@ East Forty-second-st.; No. %. Eighty nrUt
ut. and Avenue A: No. 8. No. fB Hudson-st.: Ne.
]. No. 30 vandewater-st; No o. Mulberry end
Bayard SITS, and No N No. 225 East Twenty.
thrd-st: and In primary schools No. q. N!nth-st.
and First-ave. and No. Al. No 80 West Fifty
eighth-st
The schools will remain open six weeks. These
vacation schools we're inaugurated In 1894. proved
an immediate success, and have been growing IN
popularity and effectiveness ever since. Three
were In operation the first year and six for the
next two. This year there win be The
tendancesthe first year $500 the per pupil
being liz cents per day. Last year IL reached
lol.ooS and the cost reduced to - cent . day.
In 1895 SIS pupils were refused admission fos
want OF space and the number last year Va
much larger
The primary idea OF the vacation schools 10 70
take as many children possible of the streets
during the summer. The public schools closed
and the temptations Of idleness assail them on
every hand BY neglect, much OF the good done
by the public schools IL undone. and. owing to
natural conditions. morality In the sums 10 apt
then to be at n low ebb, parental restraint being
practically withdrawn. TO substitute for these
nameess evils wholesome restraint cool, clean
school rooms. personal cleanliness. recreation and
commended by all.
The enthusiasm ma infested by the children V
contagious. Hundreds OF visitors last summer
carried away with them a delightful memory not
to be effaced by years Perhaps charity more
thoroughly demonstrates its value or tustines tts
existence. Nothing Is longingly looked forward
10 by the poor children the opening OF the
ton schools. and II Is touching TO see the keen
disappointment OF those who each year are re-
fused admttance
Distinguishing features noticed by the teachers
and all who visited the schools were the prompts
ness or the scholars to attend the daily opening
exercises and the interest taken by the children
proofs were given by the pupils thst, young as
they were they nevertheless appreciated the bene-
fts they were receiving. Books are abolished.
manual training taking their place. The eye. ear
and hand are educated.
the little children are taught strictly kinder
garten methods. Their work is almost wholly
play; They romp. but are carefully watched and
taught how to amuse themselves. knowledge for
them Is .sugar-coated. The little boys are In
structed in paper folding. cutting, FASTING, the
simpler form OF sewing singing military driil and
clay modelling.
The older girls are Instructed IN sewing cutting.
out, dressmaking, singing. modelling and compost
ton. They are each day allowed half hours
impromptu dancing TO pianoforte accompaniment.
Boys are given instruction In clay modelling.
wood cutting, carpentering. designing composition.
map drawing. vocal music and military drill
"Sef-government" clubs are introduced which
promote spirit of seIf-reiance and teach The
principles of law and order. Not the least crafty
ing result obtained ~ the assimilation OF children
OF alien birth or foreign parentage. sight TO
make any American proud Is the enthusiasm dis
played by these children OF other nationalities
when salutiDg odd Glory"
After the closing Of the schools last year letters
ing that the good effects produced were likely to
be lasting.