New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-08
CHILDREN OF ITALY.
WHAT A SCHOOL IS DOING FOR THEM
IN NETWORK.
THEY LOVE NATURE STUDY. But SHOW MORE
ZEAL THAN DISCRETION IN PROVIDING
THEMSELVES WITH MATERIALS.

ZEAL THAN DISCRETION IN PROVIDING
THEMSELVES WITH MATERIALS.
Bonnie Prince Charlie" tiny italian bambino
aged twelve months, lay on his small sisters lap
IN the front row OF the crowded schoolroom fast
asleep He had spent the first two hours OF the
morning session watching with bright black eyes
TIRE children they worked their examples on the
blackboard; had nursed with every outward EVIL
dence of appreciation and delight at the bottle pro
vided for his delectation by the thoughtfui
teacher ant now in dreamland
His little mother-sister. released from active
censorship, kept him with one small hand from
rolling OF while she held her reading book in the
other The care of an active and versatile baby
ia not altogether an incentive 10 study, but with
MANY OF the small mothers Of the italian school II
is necessity and the teachers. realizing the fact
are glad enough 10 have the children even with
large contingent Of babies thrown in
The italian school. which is under the care Oh
the ChiIdrens Aid Society. is housed in big stone
structure at No 15s Leonard-st., and here over
five hundred little Italians. Neapontans Genoese
and scilians representing the lazzaroni OF ltaly'
with a few Greeks thrown in. are gathered I'oiH
III. streets-freduently fresh from Castle Garden
taught English and the first elements OF American
patriotism then graded and prepared TO enter the
public schools
This II they can be spared so long. for many OF
these children even the tiniest in the kindergarten
are already wage-earners. helping before and aiter
school 10 pick rags sew trousers. Even IN the
kindergarten classes little needlepunctured fingers
tell the story Of the struggle for daily bread begun
thus early.
when the children first come 10 the school they
are given into the care OF Miss Louisa E Wey-
pandt who is also principal Of the night school
A native Of Italy. and a born educator fuh OF
tact enthusiasm and Astounding love for her pupHs
and her work. the children under her care are
ready in an incredibly short time 10 go into the
graded classes.
Miss Weygandt is a member Of The tribune sun
,hine Society. and upon her blackboard. plainly
printed is the Sunshine motto. which has also
been adopted by the school
Have you had a kindness shownT
Twas not f gwen for S@ you alone
Let II travel down the years.
Let It wipe anohers tears.
TIL in heaven the deed appears
Pass it on
This is daily recited by the children. IN their
pretty broken English, sometimes singiy' ana
again In unison.
All OF the children in the school deeply in
terested in nature study and the bowl Of pussie
willows which stands on the teachers desk IN
each room is object OF rapt admiration. Inc
chidrens zeal in collecting nature study materials
has several times been the occasion OF more OF
less perplexing situation, as for instance when on
Thanksgiving Dav the neighboring grocer fouhd
his stock OF kale and spinach mysteriously spirited
away. and following breathless in the wake OF
a crowd Of radiant children saw the schooirooni
desk decked out with MS cherished greens
On another occasion branches from the tiny
park trees near by whsked of by pahu
OF brownies under the very eyes OF the policemen
In this connection the plea OF the teachers Tor any
material for nature study should find abundant
from those living in the suburbs OF
country.
In the kindergarten connected with the school
80 little ones from five 20 six years OF age are
looked after by three competent and enthusiastic
teachers In the great east window OF the main
room lie q prism and when the sun shines through
II and the great wave Of color battles the children
f. q flood Of light they are beside themselves with
tly. climbing over each other and holding up tiny
hands 10 catch the six bright little FAIRIES, as
In this department the color number. painting.
sewing and clay work are remarkably gooot "hIIe
the neatness Of the childrens perfected WORK com
pares most favorably with Work zone IN o'hei
kindergartens
SPECIAL FEATURES.
The curriculum Of the school under the direction
OF the efficient principal. Mrs Eleanor E. Stats.
is made 10 conform 10 that OF the public schools.
and part OF the money for the support OF the
school is furnished by the Board OF Education
Special features in the manual work Of the school
are wire bending. whiting. designing TOT coiosu
introdnction y, r. last feature as the lads fire.
quehtly show with great pride missing Dultoh re-
placed or gaping rent mended g., o.,.- =.
Durlng six months Of the year from octVgsI 70
April, hot dinners are furnished the chldreh
through the generosity of Mrs. Fa6bri These
sere5 Consisting OF coup the e" anItress ana in
many afford the children the ony suDstahtiai
meal they have during the day. .s ,,,,, lamar
Gus slices OF bread and molasses are dlsrlouted
az the noon hour and eaten by me chlloIeh Out
stefan is an excellent feature Of the school manage