New-York tribune., 1900-08-17
PROUD OF THEIR WORK.
THE PUPILS AT VACATION SCHOOL NO.
20 HAVE STUDIED FAITHFULLY
DURING THE TERN.

As the end OF the summer term approaches, the
vacation schools marshalng their forces to
show what has been done. Vacation School No. 90
at Rivtngton and Forsyth SITS. of which H W. Smith
is principal, has highly creditable showing in all
the departments, from the seven primary classes
TO the advanced. II is interesting to watch the
children at their play work Their enjoyment is
unmistakable, and the tiniest have a comical
air Of Importance. The good feeling existing be-
tween pupils and teachers seems TO have given the
little ones an expectation of kindly interest from
ak and they crowd about the casual visitor with
most hospitabe welcome. One tot, with great
brown eyes and curly hair. calls attention by a
shy touch, and announces, I'm Sammy and
smiles contentedly when the visitor assures him
that she is charmed meet him.
I'm going to draw flag" says another impor-
tanty, and a third. less selfengrossed, asks anx-
iously. Are you going TO stay?" An inquiry by the
visitor, Are you glad that school is over?" brings
a torrent Of indignant protest and small boy
volunteers the informa ton that We have nicer
times here than we do the street. The boys
can't fight and take our things away"
Evidently they appreciate their blessings Mr.
Smiths plan allows them "as much liberty as is
consistent with their comfort" Everything is sys-
tenatized, but the teachers have large opportuni-
ties for individual methods within the system
The six weeks Of school were divided for the nri-
mary classes IN this way: The first week was de-
voted 10 imaginary visit 10 the Park; the sec
ond, 70 the seashore; the third 70 a farm; the
fourth TO "our own street in the city: the fifth
h, 3
review Everything is made realistic as possible
BY pictures and descriptions then the children
Illustrate the conception they have gained Sand
Trays ana painted water. toy trees and tiny boats
give them an idea Of Coney Island, Real vegeta-
oles and pictured animals teach them about the
farm, and the ideas they acquire are s,,-nrfsireI,
accurate in many cases, shown by the childish
drawings in pencil and colored crayons The draw
ings OF carrots peppers tomatoes and other vegeta
Dles, from nature, often wonderfully good
reading by the teachers The story is then dis
cussed by the children, and finally is illustrated
livery cflId selects his own subject, and some are
aInusingly original In the Three Little Bears,
some seized the dramatic moment when the hears
found the little GoIdilocks in bed Others cor,er,
eu themselves with portraying the house of the
pears others the table and chairs The absurd liz
ue cravings mean much TO those children They
mean that the power of thought is being aroused
ana The faculty Of observation developed All
through the school the same announcement Of in
u''ouaIly IS evident, finding its highest develop
iNenl IN me highest class, that of applied design
me class OF applied design in this school is the
only one in the vacation schools II was intro
cueed this season by Miss Leonora Baer teacher If
tkIaSucal p design in the Girls Evening High School
"a e-hunored-and -nineteenth-st. between Second
a-u thlrd aYes This class has been so success
@ u! taaL II is hoped that others will be formed
There are several grades in the department all
GInoer competent assistant teachers All who ap-
pLed for admission were examined and fftv IF
th4se tbt showing the most talent were selected for
TINS c4dSs floNerS studied from r11re .bov
N conVentionalized forms. and from them original
designs were drawn The wall exhibit shove Iooi,
cover designs, Persian rugs. wrought iron stand
ards belt buckles, designs for silver brush bants
ano other articles All done in color and ynaite
d hlShly effective showing. A leading art rosea
zlile VIII reproduce number IN color next month
ana ooth teacher and the young artists whose
aEeIaee age IS fourteen years, feel that II is
great honor to have the work accepted as both
artistic and practical. ~
In another class designs for fans tiles oil
cIoths, wall paper and china. Still others sbou,
outdoor sketching at East Side piers and Pros
pect PARK Little William Levy is the show punil
Ia this department, and his portrait sketches from
ife as well as copy, show decided cleverness His
hlrn ana evidently expects him be heard from
some day i'i
The basket weaving is an interesting class Small
chairs are seated and baskets of every size and
shape are made. There eight hundred pieces in
Ihe exhibition room containing furniture of every
description. in addition 10 the baskets Max Levin
son mas made a particularly handsome basket for
the president Of the Board Of Educate A rattan
ned was made by the boys and its furnishings by
the girls. -
In every way practical is the display of work by
Iae sewing class under Miss Sara Canter and Mrs
Josephine Salon. There skirts and waists cut
ana made In a manner that shows that the little
fourteen years are fully competent make their
own clothes Like all the other classes. the chill
pFen enjov their work immensely. and the attend
aice has been 100 Der cent during the entire term
The principal has used a novel method TO keep
informed regarding the progress made from day
70 DAY. Every teacher has had progress book
~ which the DAYS work was fully entered and a
glance sufficient TO Show just what work was
being accomplished.