The times., 1899-02-08
THE PATRIOTISM OF PUPILS.
superintendent Powell Reports to
TIC District Commissioners.

". b. Powell, Superintendent of the
Public Schools of the District, has fur
nished the Commissioners with some inter-
esting data relative TO patriotic exercises
in the schools of the city. The informa-
tion is IN the shape of a report and was
sought by the Commissioners on the re-
quest of A. y. Thompson, Assistant In
spector General OF the Department of she
Potomac Of the Grand Army of the Re
public. In his report, Superintendent
The schools. by special request of the
Superintendent. furnish flowers every
year for the decoration Of soldiers graves.
On Decoration Day schools are closed in
observance OF the event. Our contribu-
tions at these times are generous and are
given with thought, the attention of the
children being called TO the object of the
contribution.
The flag floats frem every schoolhouse
in the District, Congress making special
annual appropriation for this purpose. The
flag had iioated over nearly every school
house in the District years before Con-
gress made any appropriation therefor
the teachers procuring the flags by means
OF concerts and other entertainments.
Patriotic exercises are held in the
schools. Memorial exercises are held on
the anniversary of Washington's birthday.
The Board of Trade for the last four years
has furnished presiding officers ard speak
ers for the various schools OF the District.
The meeting OF the members of the Board
Of Trade with the teachers, prime pals and
pupils of the public schools has been an
annual occasion of great interest ami
profitable enquiry into the character, pur-
pose, and philosophy of our Government
and its relation to the lives and conditions
of the children.
Other patriotic exercises are held dur
ing the year as for instance, an hour OF
Two are given TO the observation of f az
Day. On these occasions The history of ihe
flag is made known and talked about, "a
triotic songs are sung, and essays are read
by the children.
The life and services Of Lafayette were
brought To the minds Of the children dur,
ing the past year by their being asked tt
contribute Z small amount for m3numen
to be erected to his memory in the nea
future.
"Uni,ed States history is a part of III
course Of instruction from the lowest pri
mary grade TO and including the higl
schools, graded according 10 the capabili
ties OF the children. II is the primal pur
pose in teaching Of the United States his
tory in cur schools 10 show the varyin
natures and values Of our institutions
what they have cost in treasure, in blood
and in thought; what they mean to US. an
what they mean TO the world. In doin
this the lives Of our great men are mad
prominent. Frequently the occasions q
the finishing Of subjects are used as Op
portunities for public exercises that ar
distinctly patriotic in their nature.
The national songs are a part of tn
music course, which We strive TO hay
sung undersiandingly.
In many of our schools though thi
has not been mandatory and universal. III
flag is used as an ornament. and is salute
regularly as d part OF the opening eXeT
cises.
Finally. one of the characteristic fu
tures of the Washington schools is that {
teaching patriotism and humanitarianisn
The history OF the Civil War is taugi
from text books, which are furnished {
great variety. Many reference books b
accepted authors are also in use. Free an
generous discussion is encouraged in thi
and all other history work"