The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-16
Extra Use Of School Buildings.

aitpI CltSkS, NaASia
cure.
Extra Use OF School Buildings.
we have time and again called public
attention to the fact that the school
buildings of Richmond are in active use
only a few hours a day during five days
in the week and nine months IN the year.
At other times they are for tho most part
idle, and 1t does seem that some meaiNs
should be devised 20 turn them to good
account during q part at least OF the PEI
rlod when they are no. III use by teach
ers and pupils OF the day school.
The school authorities OF New York
long ago recognized this defect in their
system and began a series OF night schools
In the public school buildings. Close on
the ears Of the night school came the pub
lie lecture courses and they have proven
to be very popular feature. The CUBS
jects cover wids range. The lecturers
are not too formal and imposing to lose
them the friendly interest OF their Pc
culiar audience" says the Tribune. and
the tenement dwellers are thus able to
sccnd many a pleasant and instructive
evening in the buildings in which their
youngsters study in the day.
But that vas not enough and finally
these buildings were converted into
"recreau ton centers..' In this capacity
they are particularly for the use OF the
thousands Of young workers who lack,
the ambition or inclination to attend
night schools. They are gathering places
for the young OF both sexes and have
proven a means of keeping them off the
streets and out Of drinking places and
dance halls. The Tribune says
The recreation centers have passed the
experimental stage. in 1892 twelve centers
were operated in the greater city, with
an aggregate attendance OF 72,e53. In 1909
the number was Increased to twenty
three. and in nine months the aggregate
attendance was 1.l54.s2s. This year there
has been slight reduction in the num-
ber OF centers, owing to an uncertainty
as to the amount of funds that will be
available Early in October seventeen
centers were opened in Manhattan and
four in Brooklyn. At every center there
was an Increased attendance, and the
totals for the year promise decided i'll
crease.
The boys who attend are over fourteen
years, for youngsters under that age are
supposed to be in the day schools, and
the recreation centers'' are for those
who have to work. When the doors are
thrown open In the evening, large NUM-
bers OF these youths ctine in and play
baskey bali or do gymnasium stunts.
games Of chess, checkers authors and SC
on. The first gang arc allowed 10 remain
| for a certain period arr. then they are
required to retire and give ',lncc to 9th
It is recorded that a gang Of bad boys
were induced to come TO one of thc
recreation centers and finally became
thoroughly Interested. One of the boys
finally confessed to a teacher that in thi:
way gang of thieves l.al been broker
up.
| But one OF the most important feature!
OF this work is incidentally referred Il
by the Tribune. 1t Is noted that the hes
| of order is maintained. There Is 10 fight
Ing, and whatever there is OF rougnnes
is given and received in q spirit nf friend
illness. The larger and stronger boys d.
not impose upon the smaller and weake
ones, Not once while the reporter wa
present did the superintendent or any o
his assistants have to speak a shar
word.
What is the secret of this good be
, havior?" the superintendent WAS asked
1T Is due to the CLUB system that W
nave adopted mare than % any othc
one thing" he replied, iMost OF the boy
9 who come here belong TO clubs Of fro,
& fifteen to twenty-five members. TIL
, rivalry between the clubs Is Keen. whetl
CT in athletics or an ntcrclub debate
: II a youth shows a tendency to misb'
9 nave. ] simply speak TO other member
4 OF his club, and they give him a talkin
a TO, They tell him he Is disgracing II
(, club and soon bring him TO order. III
: Ny isa greganous animal. especially
lie lives In the city. and the club methc
$ Of management appeals TO him.
$ 1t appears from that that the boys
: attendance are learning those most val
= able lessons of obedience and self-co
trol, II nothing better than this we
= accomplished the recreation centers Won
:, be doing IL splendid work yor the NOR
: Ing boys Of New York.
We commend this admirable system
/ the school authorities Of Richmond.
: is q system that Is at least worthy
! investigation.
Z ======-=-=-====-=.==
The Solid South,
{ Speaking 81 W break IN ti.e solid Sou
. our esteemed tontemporary. Ike Nnrfo
e Landmark. says that 1t does not belle
! that Southern men. who are Democ,a
net.