The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-03
NO MORE SCHOOL
FOR 0RPHANAGE
DECISION OF MANAGEMENT.
SAVANNAH FEMALE ORPHAN IN
MATES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Believed TO BE for Best interests OF
Children That They BE Placed on
Same Educational Footing ms 9th
err ChiIdren-WiII Broaden Their
Minds and Prepare Them for Life.
Closing Exercises Next Friday.
AT meeting of the board of mana
gers OF the Savannah Female Orphan
Asylum yesterday it was decid-
ed that after the present school year
has ended, on June 10, no further eff
fort will be made to have a separate
school for the inmates at the orphan
age. Next year the children will at
tend the public schools and kindergar-
tens.
This decision was reached after a
long and careful consideration of the
matter, and after consulting every
phase of the problem. The paramount
reason for the change of method was
that it was desired that the children
should have the advantage of a knowl-
edge of the outside world impossible
of attainment inside the walls of an
orphanage.
Next fall every inmate of the orphan
age will enter the public schools of the
city, and be subjected to the same
rules, and enjoy the same freedom as
is accorded to the regular pupils.
If there is any artificial line caused
by the difference of positions it is
sought to break down such feelings. 1t
is realized by the management that
when the girls so out into the world
to earn their living, and to become
a part of the busy throng, it will be
better that they shall have acquired a
familiarity with life which will enable
them to meet with no disadvantage.
Sorry TO Lose Miss Ward.
The most regrettable thing connect
ed with the change to the manage
ment is the fact that the pupils will
be deprived of the fine teaching abil-
ity and influence of Miss Julia Ward,
who has been connected with the edu-
cational department of the school for
the last eighteen years. With one ac-
cord the officers and friends of the
school speak in the highest terms of
the work of Miss. Ward and all are
10th to sever the connections which
have been so pleasant and profitable.
Nothing hut a belief that such a move
could have induced them to allow the
departure of Miss Ward.
While the finances of the orphanage
are none too fourishing, it was not
with a view to economy that the
change was made. In fact there will
be practically no saving. 1t is solely
for the best interests of the students
that the new plan has been adopted.
1t is believed that the narrow limits
of institutionalism will be bad for the
girls and that a wider policy will be
for their best interests. The freedom
of the open air will also be of advan-
tage.
At the present time there are forty
two children in the school, whose ages
range from years to 49, The smaller
girls will be placed in a kindergarten,
While the others will be assigned to
such schools as the superintendent of
instruction sees fit. This morning the
first announcement of the change will
be made to the children, who will no
doubt be delighted at the prospect of
freedom which the new regime prom
ises.
An Old Institution.
The Savannah Female Orphan
Asylum is one of the old
the country, having been established
in 1903. During the more than 100
years of its existence it has received
thousands of girls and prepared them
to earn their own living. All over
the South can be found those who have
received the advantages offered by the
home, and have as a result of their
attendance been enabled to make a
place for themselves in the world As
wives and as Independent wage earn
ers those who have gone out from the
institution have brought credit upon
themselves and those who have made
such an opportunity possible, and
have lived to bless it's supporters
The closing exercises Of the last
school to be conducted inside the walls
of the orphanage, at West Broad street
and Oglethorpe avenue, will be held
next Friday. Miss Ward has pre-
pared an excellent programme and the
friends of the institution are invited