Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-17
THE VACATION PERIOD
School Children Enter Upon
Season of Recreation.
LAST DAY OF STUDY
ABOUT $4,000 YOUNGSTERS Lay
ING PLANS FOR SUMMER.
Closing Programs Brief-Fan Session
Will Begin in September - New
Buildings in Prospect.

The public schools Of the District closed
at noon today, and at about that time in all
parts of the city could be seen troops OF
happy school children lettering along the
streets on the way to their homes or bound
for some play ground to celebrate the De-
ginning of the summer vacation and their
freedom from books and recitations for the
next three months. There was no thought
in their minds of study and school sessions
on the morrow to interfere with their en-
joyment, and they seemed to feel that the
dreams of good times-of base ball, tennis,
bathing, excursions and other forms of re-
creation and pleasure-which have filled
their minds for weeks past, were near to
realization.
For nine months past the youth of Wash
ington-about $4,000 in number-have been
handicapped in carrying out their ideas of
enjoyment by frequent admonitions as to
the urgent necessity of hard work in school.
Parents and teachers have been persistent
in reminding the youngsters OF the great
need of diligent application in their study,
of the benefits of hard work and the value
of an education, and no doubt, In many
instances, this continual repetition of trite
truths has tried the souls and patience of
the children. The remonstrances of the
boys and girls against study and other
school work have been met with glowing
pictures of what they may be allowed TO
do in the vacation and this hope has con-
tinued to grow stronger and stronger In
the minds of the little folks and has sus-
tanned their youthful courage during the
enticing days of spring.
But the reward held out for the encour-
agement of the school children is here, and
from the expressions noticed on their faces
as they wendell their way from the school
buildings today 1t may be judged that they
are ready and thoroughly glad for the vaca-
ton time.
How Time Will Be Occupied.
In the case of some of the older pupils
the vacation of three months will be occu-
pied, doubtless. with some useful employ
ment when they will be educated along
practical lines to a certain extent for bust
ness life. few of the more studious pupils
in the higher grades of the public schools
who have been promoted to the high
schools will devote considerable time dur
ing the summer to study and more thor
ough preparation for the advanced work.
But in all events the vacation will be in the
nature of a recreation in that change OF
work, att least, will be afforded.
There were Rotations study in
the schools today, but in large number
of the schools there were entertainments
to mark the close of the term. The pro-
grams consisted of songs, Rotations and
drills by the pupils and words of farewell
from the teachers, and in many instances
the little folks were given treats by their
teachers of candy, oranges or other fruits.
date for the beginning Of the next school
year.
This was a busy day at the headquarters
of the board of education The teachers
were likewise busted in completing their
reports and in arranging other matters in
cident to the closing day. The teachers
share with the pupils the enjoyment antic-
ipated in the vacation, and will greatly APP
preciate the rest from the cares and duties
devolving upon them instructors of the
youth of the national capital.
The New School Buildings.
Many new school buildings will be ready
for occupancy next fall. when the children
of the District return to their studies. The
school capacity will be augmented by the
addition of no less than forty-four rooms.
This prospective addition to the school
system is the largest for a number of years
past. 1t is due to the fact that two years
ago the appropriations made were INSULT
cient. and hence the supply available next
September really represents the work of
two years, many of the buildings having
been held over from year ago.
The buildings that are nearing compile
ton include four eight-room buildings two
four-room buildings and four-room addi-
ton to the Brookland school. Another
eight-room building will be ready for occu-
pancy by next Christmas, II IS estimated,
so the coming school year will bring about
an addition of fiftytwo rooms in all
The school buildings of the District are
now DelnS erected according 10 UNIFORM
type plan. Very little difference is noted
in their architecture. They designed
to readily permit of additions. The
four-room buildings are constructed with
walls and foundations sufficient to permit
of a second story of four rooms, giving an
eight-room structure. The eight-room build
ings on the other hand, designed as
to permit of their enlargement to twelve
room buildings The cost of the eight-roOm
schools now under construction and de-
signed for the future Is $4,000 apiece The
four-room schools cost in the neighborhood
of S23, 900 or $4,000, this including the
foundations sufficient for second story.
The buildings that will be occupied for the
first time next fall include the Simmons
eight rooms, on Pierce street near list street
northwest; the Cranch. eight rooms, at 18th
and G. streets southeast; the Trinidad eight
rooms 9th and d streets northeast; the
Wheatley eight rooms, 18th and N streets
northeast; the Fort Reno, four rooms; the
Stanton, four rooms; Good Hope, and the
four-room addition to the Brookland school.
9th street near X street northwest. will be
ready for occupancy after the Christmas
holidays next winter.
Manual Training.
The manual training school to be erected
at 9TH and G streets southeast for the bene-
fit of the children in that section of the
city will be begun in few weeks and will
be ready in years time
The District appropriation act in effect
two eight-room school buildings. one of
which will be located at 9th and G streets
northeast and, the other on LIE Droit avenue,
at the head of Elm street, lie DrOft Park