The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1903-06-12

rhey cVuiu not possibly pe maue reaoy
for the fall term. 1t will thus be seen
that serious problem confronts the
city. 1t has always been solicitious for
the education of its children, and has
readily smade great sacrifices in their be-
half Its good name and the welfare of
its young people are at stake. The prob
lem must be solved and can not be solved
too speedily.
but when one looks for relief he can
not readily find it. As has been said
the license moneys for the coming year
are already pledged for the erection of
the new School No. IL. A bond issue
seems haadyisa bic. because arrangements
have been made for the erection of a
new High School, This will necessitate
the issue of bonds in large amount. 1t
may be said that in view of the great
need for more elementary school build
ings, the erection of new High School
building is not WISE But it must be he
membered that a large part of School
No. 2 alternates with School No. 5 in
the use of the first and second floors of
the High School building. This school
can be relieved either by placing the
High School in new building or by
erecting a new building for the pupils of
No. 2 If the latter course is pursued it
will not relieve the other parts of the
city. The erection of new High School
building win relieve both school No. 2
and the High School,
l am fully aware that there are SER
ious objections to the plan, which in for
mer years convinced me that the use of
temporary buildings should be avoided.
If any other adequate plan for the re-
lief so imperatively needed were present
er, should certainly favor it. But un-
der the pressing circumstances which l
have described, no other course seems
available. In the absence of new build
ings of some sort We are confronted with
the certainty that the oyererowding will
grow worse, that more part-time classes
must be formed, or that many children
must be refused admission. In this per-
picking dilemma, to one who realizes how
much injury the deprivation or curtail-
ment of school privileges infiicts on chill
dren but one conclusion seems possible.
st must not be supposed that these
temporary buildings, if erected, will fur
nish all the relief that could be desired.
they cannot be erected in sufficient num-
bers nor in all the places where they are
needed. There viii still be some half
day classes, there will still be schools
sooner or later. They will, however,
serve to reduce very materially the size
of classes.
This discussion of our constantly in
ereasing needs seems to emphasize most
forcibly the suggestion made in the re-
to establish definite policy in the erec-
tion of new schools The continued rap
id growth of the city is certain and with
this are bound to come increased de-
mands for school Accommodations The
extent of these demands may be deter
visions should be made annually for
meeting them. Instead of allowing our
wants to grow so great, would it not be
well to determine the number of new sit
tings each year, make a careful estimate
of their cost, to use the license moneys
so far as these are available, and if these
are not sufficient, to secure the balance
needed in other ways.
Speaking of the High School Mr.. Sny-
der says
"In this school Principal Hopkins and
the other members of the faculty are do
ing excellent work. As has been pointed
out heretofore, a detailed critical dis
cussion of the schools, its methods and
results would be unfair, because of exist
ing unfayorable conditions. The hope
expressed in these reports for many
years that the High School might have
new building bids fair to be realized
in the near future. The large plot at the
corner of Newark and Palisade avenues.
known as the Harrison Site" has been
selected, and steps taken by the Board
of Finance to purchase it. 1t is to be
hoped that nothing will prevent the
speedy erection of the building"
Concerning the Training School, the
Superintendent says
''The work of this school continues to
be very satisfactory. The skill which its
graduates exhibit on assuming per-
manent positions as teachers is of great
advantage to the schools and very COM
plimentary to the Training School.
Owing to the circumstances mention
ed, there is cause for much solicitude
when the number Of teachers graduated
from the school is considered. 1t is prob
able that in a short time this number will
not be sufficient to supply the demand
for new teachers.
'sThe efforts which this city and county
have made for number of years to Sc
cure new State Normal School deserve
the strongest encouragement.
Merited praise is given by the Superin- /
tendent to Principal Brensinger, Miss
Richardson Miss Halsey, Mrs. Marvin,
and all the other members of the faculty
of fhe school for their jealous labors in
behalf of the training school.
The Superintendent in the course of
his report discusses free evening lectures
lauds them and has pleasant word for
the Womens clubs, whose activity in