New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-05
BOYS CLUBS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

FIVE BUILDINGS TO BE THROWN OPEN AMI
MORE TO BE USED IN THE SAME WAY.
That which has been long looked forward to by
many people has at last come 10 pass. Boys
clubs may seem an old story IN New-York and
they certainly have been much talked about and
ardentlv discussed The reason for this has
been that those Interested in such movements
have realized that three. four even half a
dozen boys clubs. however successful, were no
more than a drop Of water in a great ocean.
Where hundreds Of boys were being cared for
by existing organizations. tens Of thousands
were adrift and not reached. The one logical
solution Of the problem seemed 10 be the open
ing Of the school buildings at night time for the
city itself 10 care for its waits Unexpectedly,
almost. the Board OF Education has started just
this.
The new movement Of the schools has begun
somewhat tentatively and on rather small
scale. II is true but II has none the less made a
beginning in the direction so much desired by
those who have been interested In the boys and
girls Of the slums. Five OF the fine new school
buildings Of New-York have already been
thrown open six nights a week from until 10
o'clock. and five more Will almost certainly be
opened soon. The building. in the centres Of the
most populous districts downtown have, Of
course. been selected, these including Public
School No A. at Hester and orchard SITS: Pub
lie School No. III, in Gouverneur-st.; Public
School No 100 at Suffolk and Riyngton SITS.
Public School 40. I. at Henry and Oliver SITS.
and Public School No. T. at Chrystie and Hes
ter SITS
All II these schools have famous indoor play
grounds of the most modern type in the huge
Easements OF the buildings. II is here that the
boys clubs now for the first time under what
IS really governmental control. will meet How
ever valuable the boys clubs have been under
private management they now will be better
Of. for they Will have Facilities and much
wider scope Of action.
In fact. the boys clubs Will be metamor-
phosed without losing any Of their valuable
characteristics These schools the Board OF
Education Is now clubbing play. centres" There
will be far more than play. however though no
work is TO be done IA them, and they are 10
have none Or the features OF evening schools.
Again the play centres" are not 10 be- for
boys only Men. old and young are 10 be wei
coined In them the gates viii be thrown wide
open for any one who cares To come.
In these Easements Will be- found tables and
chairs with papers. magazines and all sorts
Of quiet games. checkers. chess and crok-
mole as well many others. That all sorts
may bee suited the plan is 10 have half or these
play centres" devoted 20 quiet pursuits espe-
cay the others open to those who want great
Dr activity combined with some innocent noise.
These latter will be filed up with gymnasium
outfits The rooms on the Easements Will bee
given up 10 the meetings OF the clubs. and II
more rooms are required they Will be provided
on the floors above
This is said 70 be- the first time that any large
city has thrown open It's school buildings after
nlghtfall for such purpose. ana the expert
ment VIII he watched with much interest Sew
eral small American towns. Brookne. Mass.
In particular. have tried II. and with success.
but the experience of a small town can hardly
be taken "A a test. The money FOR the starting
~ this new work comes from the unexpended
balance (Si O0O ~ the funds OF the Committee
on Special Schools for the vacation schools
Cplay schools'l OF tho summer, This 1900
will sur"s TOR the lighting, attendance, etc. The