New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-07-04
MOTHERS IN SCHOOLS.
Success of Parents Gatherings Held
During Last Term.

IL ~ ttCSs ~~AcN Il ~ hCs
The closing Of the schools calls attention to
most successful movement which has been initiated
this season by the New-York City Mothers Club
among the mothers Of children attending the public
schools and which IT intends TO develop still fur
Their next season. The movement is rather be-
lated one n New-York, and grew out Of the State
Mothers Congress held in this city last fall
The delegates who visited New-York at this time
were very anxious TO hear what the Mothers Club
Of Eew-York doing in the schools. Through
out the State they reported that the organized
mothers regarded this the principal part Of their
work. In BuSalo. Syracuse, Albany and Rochester
mothers clubs had been organized in the majority
az the schools and had been great success. The
visitors naturally looked for similar condition Of
things IN New-York and the local mothers were
covered with confusion when they were obliged to
confess that they had not even attempted TO form
clubs n the schools.
As soon as the convention was over the New-York
city Mothers Club took the matter up and deter
mined that this should be its special work for the
season which has Just closed An af1liation com
rnttse, which already existed, was reorganized,
and the principals Of all the public schools in the
city were asked meet the Mothers Club to
discuss the formation OF similar organizations in
the schools. The conference most satisfactory,
and al but Of the principals who attended were
II favor Of the clubs. The who disseuted from
the general view said that he held q L1others
meeting every hour OF the day and that any fur
he has since acknowledged his error by organizing
one Of the most successful mothers clubs in the
city
IT SUPPLIED SPEAKERS
Some OF the principals already had mothers
clubs in their schools and 70 all who wished TO
organize them the New-York City Mothers Club
protested its willingness 10 cooperate by supply
ing speakers or n any other way that might be
desired, and since the conference efforts have
been made 70 push the matter. The Mothers Club
e.
came IN from time TO tine. and as occasion arose
the plan was gradually worked out until arrange
ments were made for supplying speakers on any
subject, and n any language that might be
desired. The results have been no less surprising
than gratifying.
The interesting OF the meetings held, al
though II was not possible 10 organize club.
in School No II. IN Auen-st The people whose chill
oren attend this school the very poorest class
n the city, and might have been supposed 10 be
the least accessible 70 any work Of this kind
Their language IN the first instance, seemed to be
~ insuperabIe bar. and when the principal wrote
That sic would like 10 have some mothers meet
'ngs IN her school. If any one could be found 10
address The ~ents IN Yiddish, the afdIation com
rnittee feir e il ''hoored' Letters were
written II al 6irec1ons. but without avail till
some one thought y applying 10 Dr.. David BIau-
stein. Of the Educational Alliance who replied by
sending the addresses Of two women doctors who
could speak Yiddsh. They were Immediately writ
zen TO- but something happened to the letters and
On The day set Tor the meeting neither Of them had
responded
Inc teachers and the visiting mothers awaited
ne event with considerable trepidation They did
nor know whether there would be any speakers or
any one 70 speak 70, and the principal had al
ways had extreme difficulty 70 induce any of the
parents TO come 70 the school, even in response to
urgent and repeated requests the presence Of an
audience seemed more than doubtful
LARGE RESPONSE At ETPST CALI
TO Tie surprise Of every one concerned. $50 par
MS oy actual count appeared at the appointed
'rle he children had begged so hard II appeared.
nat mere was no resisting them and one little
i7io" was SO disappointed because his mother
could not 90 that the father came in her stead
Ne ssseinnlsge presented very curious appear
ehoe Some wore hats and some had shawIs over
'her heads. while others were bareheaded. Some
wore g1ngharn aprons and some white aprons: some
carried baskets and some carried babies But there
ihey We're. very much interested and wholly nnyst-
leo as . what IL was all about The speakers.
however, failed 70 appear
OF- Blaustein was hastily summoned from the
educational Alliance. and gave the mothers q short
AK on the difference between the privileges en-
yoyed 5y their children here and those they would
nave had IN the OLD World He suggested to them
various ways II which they could help the teach
ers. and then there little music on piano
and VIOLIN. The mothers were delighted and said
e-st hey would come again. They had never had
schooL The teachers were equally pleased. and
some OF them said they would gladly stay after
shoo! every Gay Of the week, # il were necessary.
70 retain the interest which had evidently been
awakened IN the visitors.
The effect Of the meeting was magical. the teach
Sfs saic atterwaro, and one who had had very
-ylk experience n the profession declared that
hothing had ever helped her so much The chill
cfen came 70 school cleaner and more neatly
dressed than ever before and different spirit per
Vacec the place. They all wanted their school TO
o ne best IL the city and they became much
concerned about its appearance that they would
even drop BIT OF paper the floor.
II Is great pity" said q member OF the Moth
ss Club. In speaking 70 Tribune reporter Of this
enthusiasm. that the school building should be one
q the most raushackle old places in the cry. II
e z disgrace 70 have eighteen hundred children in
soch building The doors are terrible. and IL was
condemned long ago. but though the money Bss
been appropriated several times for new building
nothing has been done"
The large attendance at the first meeting made
y seem wise 20 divide the mothers into two sec
uons Tor future gatherings, yet the next meeting
was as large the first. Some Of the fathers
came too, and the result Of the visit strlk-