The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-12

trirle. All children are equally dear to the
State and to the Divine Parent. / Trust
our Legislature will, at its approaching
session, devise and enact measures that
will, at an early date, afford each child
In this commonwealth the opportunity to
obtain an up-to-date common school ed
ucation.
Though the secondary school is a nee
essary part and should be- prominent
feature of our public school system its
advantages are ROW enjoyed by only a
tages may be made more generally avail
able let the State authorize as conditions
for patronage shall warrant, the estab-
lishment of township, union or county
which shall be free to all pupils qualified
Tor admission and residing within the
area for which each Of such schools has
been established. Let it be further pro-
yided that when any school board shall
determine that such secondary school
cannot be maintained in the district over
when It has supervision and that 1t is
not feasible to cooperate with any adj.
Joining school district or districts in the
establishment and maintenance of such
school; that said local board shall be
placed a its disposal, the tuition of duly
qualified resident pupils in such con-
yenient public secondary schools of this
State as 1t shall elect.
Coming to the kindergarten system the
report will say
\ note with very great satisfaction a
growing appreciation and larger reaogni-
ton OF the value of kindergarten instruc-
ton. This Important feature of etluca-
ton was but few years ago confined lol
few OF our cities and towns and there
sustained solely by private enterprise. Its
value has been 50 clearly demonstrated.
and IS so plainly apparent, that it is
steadily making its way into our public
schools. Our own Normal School and the
normal colleges and schools of many
other States have provided special courses
of study for the preparation Of kindergart-
nerS, and several States have In their sys-
tens Of certificatfon established a stand
ard OF qualification and provided for the
issue of special kindergarten licenses. The
kindergarten is the happiest and best in
PRODUCTION to the school that could be
devised. It furnishes the most valuable
exercises a most saiutary influence uDoa
all future school life Instead Of re-
straining, it utilizes the childs inauisi-
tiveness and exuberant activity by pro
viding full exercise for its powers in lines
that tend to its rational development
Childhood is not deprived of the sunshine
that Mas designed to be its blessed heri-
tage, nor denied the joy and satisfaction
Of being and doing what best accords
with child life The choicest fruits Of
the kindergarten are harmony with en-
ness, docility, courtesy, self-control and.
seif-direetien
Could all the little ones of today begin
their school life with an approved course
become a generation of men and women
that would exempiify the most symmetri-
cal and distinct educational advance that
has been made in the history Of our race,
Without special aid or encouragement
from the State, tho kindergarten mas
proved its value as an educational force
and its right to a place in our public
school system. We will do well to give
1t such place. As to the wisdom of TAX
ing this important educational step there
Is no conflict of opinion among our Lead
ing educators, nor among those who have
been its patrons and witnessed the devtl-
opIncnt of their own children. If 3Lr an
nual school census shall continue 10 be
taken because regarded as an essential
feature Of our system of taxation. | beg
leave to suggest that the legal school :2re
be extended downward so as 20 include
all children four years of age who are to
be admitted TO the kindergarten nnly-and
that the kindergarten shall tnns become
and shall BE regarded as an integral part
Of cur public schools ef higher grade. Also
that a special fund, to be used at the dis
erection of the State Board of Educatittn.
be provided for the encourage of sec
ondary and kindergarten schools.