New-York tribune., 1903-05-27
PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES.
Yesterdays Patriotic and Memorial OBJ
servances by Scholars.

A triple programme com bining civic birthday
exercises. Emerson memorial and Memorial Day
exercises given yesterday in Public School No.
96 Eighty-frst-st. and Avenue A In the grammar
department, including about eleven hundred girls.
every little head a white bow, ribbon, If may
be. or even strip Of starched white muslin. and
from every shoulder streamed the national coiors,
a tiny flag tricolor knot There were patriotic
songs-"Tenting the Old Camp Ground The
Blue and the Gray" etc.-and there also the
old Concord Hymn" Emerson quotations and the
naming Of noted landmarks throughout New-York
by a number Of pupils. each in turn mentioning
some historic spot and giving brief sketch of it.
An interesting exercise called the social de-
veopment of New-York, series of dances by tots
in costume. First, half dozen little Indians ap-
peared with whoop and performed war dance
! around mock campfire. Then rosy checked little
Dutch maidens a rollicking step, followed by
others in Colonial garb. giving graceful minuet,
and again by up-to-date couples ndulging IN
some less novel Waiting. One of the
! pretuest numbers on the afternoon programme was
the singing of Fields "Wynken. Blynken and Nod
| by little people dressed as Gretchens, wooden
| shoes and all.
| Flags. of course were everywhere from the roof
of the school building to the street curb around it,
and If the lustiness OF the little voices that, nun
dreds strong proclaimed our lives protect New "
any earnest Of the patriotism of the coming genera
lie schools was certainly not in vain
The citys 25oth birthday was celebrated yesterday
! afternoon Win appropriate ceremonies III uDLlC
School No. 17s The pupils of the grammar depart
! ment gathered in the assembly room at l o'clock
which the hour set for the ceremonies by the
| Board Of Educauon. and after the reading Of the
Scriptures and hymn the Mayors proclamation was
read by Charles E. Springmeyer, one of the teach
ers- America followed, and then. in recognition
! OF the recent centennial, Emersons Concord
Hymn" recited by Israel Williams. Hail
CoIumbia" " followed, and songs continued to alter
| with the other numbers all through the pro
| gramme. These a particularly attractive
feature Of the occasion the singing in this school
Is exceptionally good.
! An address on "New-York in the Wars of the
Country was given by G. C. Brockway, Of
the teachers who happens to be a veteran of the
Cuban war and the Rev. Appleton Grannis. Of St
AIichaers Church, gave brief sketch Of the city 5
| history Quotations showing the growth and
! greatness Of New-York were given by the school.
| and the boys Of class Ga supplied infor-
| nation regarding the influence OF immigration
| on the city.
The remainder Of the programme was as follows;
Recitation eThe Blue and the Gray. Frank
Holden; recitation. Our Honored Dead, Sarnuel
| Kronman; reading, New Amsterdam, Cnarles
| Martin: violin solo, Walter Lee; reading, "A Hun
dred Years Of Progress Elmer Silver; mandolin
solo Charles Dirkes; reading, ecoliectlons OF Olo
New-York." George Hanlon; choruses. THE Vet
erans" Red White and Blue Some Think the
world &" .c7igbt Makes Might" ''The Star Spangled
Banner
Dr. John P Conroy, the principal, presided, and
Ralph Trautnaan, of the district school board was
among those present In the High School the Rev
Dr. E P Nichols gave an address en- 'What Inc
| Nations Have Contributed Toward Making New
Yorker" and ex-Judge James P. Davenport tole
something of Life in Old New-Ansterdan1. Ihs
Mayors d at assSS wes on 5ef he Draft iot
| was contributed by Stanley Quinn fres'TIa - H.
ehosfae gave g violin selection and Mrs Jennie
| Kiebler Gordon sang solo; ,,o.,o, e. +b.
The primary classes had their celeorauon IN 'h'
morning.