Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-22
Closing Exercises Of an Altogether
Successful Experiment.
FEATURE OF THE OCCASION
Pan Followed by Principal Ray
Riordan and the Results.
MORE TIA SATISFIED

little girl, probably eleven or twelve years
old, at the Mccormick school, on Sd street
southeast between NJ and N streets. Her
happy expression changed almost to one
of Solemnity.
mo, SIR" she answered seriously; 81
wish it would last all the time. I've learn
ed more about things 1 wanted to know
about than 1 did all the time in regular
school. Why, 1 know all about telegraphs
and telephones now!
From the appearance and manner of the
other nnety-nine children who, with her.
We're present at the closing exercises of
the summer school and were assembled in
the north school room on the first floor
of the Mccormick building, they were ev-
identity of the same opinion. A prettier
scene had seldom met The Star reporters
vision than that which greeted it when
he looked in through the doorway. On
every little face, and every big one, too.
there was an expression of rapt interest.
1t not, so far as the scholars were
concerned, the outward ebullition of the
feeling that school was over, but, on
the other hand, an enjoyable appreciation
of what was in progress. Every song was
given with a vim and genergy that would
do choral society proud and each adj
dress and feature was greeted with ap-
plause that would have made an actor
feel good to the marrow of his bones.
Where Credit IL Due.
The occasion marked theE termination of
one of the most successful experiments
yet tried in local education. The credit of
it is due to Mr.. Ray Riordan. the principal
of the Mccormick school, a young man of
original ideas. a remarkable comprehen-
sion of the character of children for one
SO young and the patience and determine
to ont which
regards ats elevating and uplifting to those
who come under his professional direction.
The project of a summer school was
preached early and 1t was unfortunately
found by the public school authorities of
the District that rigid laws prevented
general adoption of the suggestion. 1t was
firally decided, however. to give Mr.. Rior-
dan the use of the Mccormick school in
order to try the experiment. 1t has been
completely successful in every way.
My expectations were extravaganza
said Mr.. Riordan to The Star reporter to-
day, but they have even been carried out
beyond my dearest hopes.s Owing to accom-
modations we We're compelled to limit the
number of scholars TO 100 but there were
many applications above this number.
1.-THE children of this vicinity usually play
On the lots during the summer and no re-
spect scarcely is shown to girls twelve or
fourteen years old.
The Purpose Followed.
at was my idea not to educate them in
the regular rote of school, as 1t might inter-
fere with the regular course. Accordingly,
the regular studies were confined to the
hours from 0 to r. I endeavored to inter
est them and acquant them with science
art and literature not by set formula, but
by getting them in groups and talking with
them
For instance told them all about the
telegraph from the time communication was
carried on by torches to the present de-
velopment. / explained electricity and mag
netism, and here" he said opening the door
OF book case lis a battery they made
There he continued, pointing to a tele-
phone On the side of the book case and a
wire running across the top of a black
board and into an adjoining room. lis a
telephone system put in by the girls and
boys. They selected the places for the tele-
phones, measured the distance between
them and applied to me for the required
wire, which was furnished.
Studied Their Characterfstics.
"They were also taught the principles of
air and of the air pump. With glass air
pump they were shown all the valves and
the action of them. and then were given a
brass air pump to work with. They We're
also given thorough instruction in refine
ment. I studied the various children and
ascertained their particular tendency to-
ward some speciality. such as drawing,
painting and reading of books, and en-
couraged such along those lines. There
was one little girl who I quickly perceived
loved books, and l Immediately gave her
full freedom of the library. Recently I
asked her if she could classify books. L
can classify this library she answered con-
fidently. Yes, am more than pleased with
the result of this experiment. The number
OF scholars was as you know, 100. The
average attendance was ninety-nine. They
were given an hour for recreation between
j o'clock them
back by ten minutes after -, asking 1ues
tions and seeking new experiments"
MIR. Stewards Views.
Supervisor A T. Stewart was also pres
emit
"Mr. Riordan Is a young man of novel
ideas" he remarked, land all the credit
Of this experiment is due to him and the
young ladies who volunteered to assist him.
They were Miss Stutz, an assistant teach
er in music; Miss Starkweather and Miss
Clements, who has just entered the Nor
nal School. For the children of the poorer
classes the summer school has proven it.
self a valuable aid to education. By CIV
ing the children outings with an educa-
tional purpose in view 1T broadens and
improves them. The children of the we'll
TODD who can go away from the city for
the summer can receive the same adyan-
tages by seeing new places and things.
For such little ones as those who have at
tended the summer school just closing its
advantages are inestimable.
Program of Exercises.
The programs were very tastefully gotten
up and were the work of the children
themselves. On piece. of drab cardboard
the little ones had daintily mimeographed
| the following list of exercises:
], Songs-"Kentucky Babe" Sugar Dol
le." Flag. song;" 2. recitation, Edith
Coombs; 3. piano solo, Mr.. Carl Au; 4,
Bonnie Dundee" 5, address, Mr.. A. T.
Stewart; 6, songs, "a Little Bird 1.-The
Sparrow "Jerushy;" I. recitation, Miss
Stutz; s, the pianoia explanation and exhi-
bition, kindness Percy s. Foster. esq. Mr..
Irving Brown, operator: 8, rapid sketching,
Miss Starkweathef: TO- songs. Alabama
Coon Little John,b Guess Cling
Claud."
On the reverse side Of each program was
| an engraving, held by the corners in Sits
cut in the board.
There were quantities of flowers around
the room. ana the blackboards held nu-
merous specimens of the artistic work of
the little scholars
Altogether the occasion was an impress
slVe one IN the category of school COM
mencementA