The times., 1899-06-21
IMPORTANT MEETING
OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
Discussion Over a Resolution to
Prohibit Entertainments.
Health Tests for Admission to the
Normal School.
Applications Received for New
Structures in suburbs-ChanEes
Among the Teachers.

Matters OF vital Importance regarding
the normal and public schools of the Dis
trict were considered at the meeting of the
Board of School Trustees held at the
Franklin School Building at o'clock yes
terday afternoon. Among these were the
consideration of a motion by George H.
HarTies for an amendement of rules so
as to prevent the giving OF any kind of en-
tertainment in the public schools in the
future. full board was present, with
the single exception of Gen. Ellis Spear,
and this motion precipitated quite a con-
troversy, which ended in the adoption of
motion to lay the whole matter on the
table
Another important question which came
before the trustees was that Of making
provision whereby applicants for admis-
sion into the normal school be given ply
sical examinations This matter re-
ferred to the committee on rules for
more perfect report. The third question
of interest concerned the admission OF
college graduates into the normal school,
and resulted in the approval of recon-
mendation that all graduates of Wellesly
and other colleges be permitted to enter
the institution, thereby furnishing more
leaven from which to model public school
teachers.
The resolution introduced by Mr.. Har-
ries, and designed TO abolish school enter
taiDments. bids fair TO inaugurate a pro-
longed discussion, both sides of the ques-
tion being vigorously defended yesterday.
II recited that minor school expenses for
Gee. military drills. athletic and gymnas-
tic training, immediate school repairs. ac-
companists, books, and apparatus not COW
cred by laboratory fees and acquisitions
are being incurred by various schools
yearly.
1t adds that these expenses are met,
more or less, by the income derived from
entertainments given by the labor Of teach
ers and students. requiring a great strain
and much power. which should properly
be devoted to the pedagogical work CT
the schools or" lfr. Harries added "the
expenses are met by assessments on teach
ers and pupils. or both, directly and indi-
rectly. thereby causing a too definite sac
rifce, or a too great sense of comparative
poverty
II is further maintained that these en-
tertainments are, in part. prepared by the
use OF school hours for reheaTsals and dec
Grating, that these hours are necessary for
the proper fulfllment of the various
courses of study adopted by the school
trustees; that such interruptions tend to
destroy the deep sense of responsibility
which is the primal and most important
object of our whole educational system
and that the pupils chosen for parts in
the entertainments are not good students
and need more classroom training" while
the better classroom students would be
broadened by assisting in outside work. in
which there is the direct violation of the
basic principle of pedagogy
Object OF the Revolution
\ The resolutions aimed to have the
school trustees include in the yearly esti-
mate for appropriations the amount of
money necessary for the payment Of all
expenses incurred by the public school
system, and TO forbid the use Of school
hours for the preparation of and for en-
tertainments, as well as to prohibit the
taxing of teachers and pupils in money or
in time for the purpose of meeting ex-
penses which should properly be met by
sufficient Congressional appropriations.
After the introduction OF this resolution
School Trustee Jesse H. Wilson arose and
asked that it be not adopted without very
mature consideration. He said he did not
consider entertainments an abuse of the
public school system. He believed in them
on principle, because he thought they have
an educational value. One OF the most
delightful entertainments he had ever at
tended was given some time ago in the
Western High School and was called a
Dickens carnival Then there were stere-
opticon lectures, and dramatic productions
been given twice by Eastern High School
pupils Trustee Wilson said he thought
MIR. Harries went too far in his resolution.
1t was too sweeping. Even if the enter
1ainments could be given free and not for
purposes OF raising money he would still
favor their continuance because of the
social and educational benefits derived
At this point Mr.. Harries said he re-
1nemhsred the Dickens carnival, which
had been given at the Western High
School, and had learned that 1t resulted
In friction between the teachers. Mr. VIII
Bon retorted that the friction had ali been
Bnoothed out, and would not end as Mr..
Harries thought it would Trustee Job
Barnard interposed a statement TO the
effect that friction a good thing. in
Bsmuch as II denoted motion, activity, and
iife.
. Mr.. Harries added that he was still Of
abe opinion that the whole thing should
DE forbidden, as entertainments did not
&end toward the regular line of school
SVork, and he maintained that better re-
Buits would be produced IL the time and
energy OF scholars were not taken up with
foreign matters and entertainments. He
said he was aware OF an instance where a
Teacher had assumed debt Of $500, which
fhad to be paid for by entertainments, and
that second debt Q. about $500 was about
70 be assumed by the same teacher.
a.
jksted listener all the while, thought this
10 be extravagance and said such things
Ehould be stopped. Mr.. Barnard thought
fhe present rules adequate, and the dis
fussion ended with a motion to table the
fesoludon, which motion was adopted.
Il Health Tests Advocated.
The committee on rules, which had been
directed to report on the advisability Of
Health tests for all applicants for admis-
elon into and graduation from the normal
school. stated that It had agreed that the
proposed tests be applied to all applicants
for admission, that all tests for graduating
students be applied only to pupils who
may hereafter enter the normal school,
that they be conducted under the supervis-
Jon OF the Health Officer. and that the
matter be referred to the District Com
tnissioners with request that the Health
Officer be directed TO suggest rules and
regulations for the government OF the
tests The latter was accomplished. and
the report made by DR.. Woodward, the
Health ofilcer, was presented.
DR.. Woodward said that many normal
school applicants are females he thought
provision should be made whereby exam
1nations should be made by woman ply
sician- He said the Health Office has none
such among it's employees and no appro-
priation which might be drawn upon in
case OF special appointment. He sug-
gested that some arrangement might be
/ made whereby one Of the regular employes
| OF the Health Department might be tenn
porarily suspended from duty at intervals,
70 as to permit the temporary appoint
kr1 Of -. al.