The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-08

There Is a cruel sound in the name
vacation school," which Immediately
arouses sympa thy with the hapless chill
dren who must continue their school
days through the summer months. But
the only cruelty in the schools Is in the
name and any sympathetic pity for the
summer pupils would be worse than
wasted, it would most inappropriate. =
The vacation schools are delightful
places and are thoroughly appreciated by
the children fortunate enough to live
within the sphere Of their influence. The
Clay and Franklin schools are the ones
lent this season by the board of education
for the summer work, or rather play.
Long before school time children may be
seen vending their way toward the build
ings. Many of the little girls are ten
derly carrying their dolls and some OF the
very small boys have cherished toy
or two with which to complete the
delightful playfellow, the supervisor OF
the playground. Even the very babies
are urged to attend the playground part
Of vacation school and many respond with
delight, arriving in their carriages and
making diligent use Of their time at the
sand tables and among the dolls.
One corner of the playground is pro-
vided for the children young enough to
enjoy blocks, woolly sheep and similar di-
verting objects and, although the older
children OCCASIONALLY long to invade the
domain and show the youngsters how to
make their toys really exciting, they are
speedily persuaded by the supervisor
that the babies know best how they want
to play.
Out of-door housekeeping instruction is
amusing to the little girls, for there is
picnicky air about setting a table on a
chair which renders even the necessity of
orderliness and precision attractive.
A croquet ground is always the scene
of merry battle and the pavilion, where
crokinole, checkers and dominoes are
played is a pleasant refuge for the boys.
This out of-door play is especially en-
phaszed this year and to make 1t most
helpful, a citizens league is organized
among the boys of each school, The little
men are then helped to make the best OF
the grounds and opreserve order. Rules
OF conduct are adopted and woe to the
boy who oversteps the lines. y
The boys of the citizens league at the
Franklin school recovered the roof OF
the pavilion with, tar paper and painted
the woodwork. The officers see to it thai
toys are properly put away when the day
is over. A citizens committee on deco.
rating has been organized in each schoo
and pretty buntings have been we'll ar.
ranged.
At the Clay school the boys have formed
military company and take great pride
in making a good showing in their drill
which is conducted by Mr.. Painter, super
visor Of the schools. Indeed, the Cla!
boys are more ambitious in several wayi
than those Of the Franklin. They ar
much more interested in the sloyd worl
and are turning out fine specimens O
handiwork. The sloyd work at the Cla,
is divided into four periods and each clas
is full while a waiting list Of score o
boys is always on hand to get.th benefi
Of the work If there is vacancy.
The boys of the Franklin school, Will
showing less interest in sloyd and mill
tary maneuver, show very real interes
in baseball and are proud of the rea
league ball presented to them by Mr.
Painter. Of course, baseball is a fertil
source of trouble and the boys had onl
had their treasure a little while when 1
most inconsiderately broke window 70
them. However, the boys raised tn
and had it set in short order, so tha
there might be no shadow upon their Joy
OF course the boys will be boys in spit
of the most tempting educational device
and games. When there is circus
town picnic excursion they are likel
to be conspicuous by their absence
but once the diverting incident Is ove1
they flock back to the school.
Nature study has been included in tn
vacation work this year, but Woefy
lack of funds has interfered with engagin
teachers. The choral work, under Nj
Painter, promises to be pleasant featur
of the work, for the children like to sin
and have many good voices among then
Weaving, basket-work and sewing
which were features of the vacatio