The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-30
VOTES TO CUT THE SCHOOL DAY
hoard or EDUCATION 22 TO ~
FOR TUE REFORM.
Resolution Favors Ia Inst cad OF Hours
Daily for First Year Pupils. Cutting
Out Frills-BORrd OF Superint endents
Asked 10 Recommend This Change.

Out Frills-BORrd OF Superint endents
Asked 10 Recommend This Change.
The Board Of Education discussed for
four hours yesterday the advisability Of
shortening the hours and course Of studies
Of the first and second year pupils in the
public schools.
From my observations feel compelled
TO say that the results Of the present course
OF instruction in the public schools amount
almost 10 a public scandal. said Mr.. Jonas.
The essentials are sadly neglected. Then
some Of our schoolhouses are not At TO be
occupied, they are in such a bad state OF
repair, and unless steps are taken to put
them in proper condition something il
liable to happen for which we will be sorry. |
believe that three and half hours schooling
day is enough for very young children.
Commissioner Lummis said that the
present time Of five hours day should
be shortened for very young pupils.
'"There are some who think the schools
should keep the children all day and thus
relieve parents Of responsibility he added.
Il believe it would be a bad policy for the
city to assume the full care OF the children
during the greater part Of the day when
our respected President, Theodore Roose-
welt advises mothers TO have as many
children as possible just look at the
cost Of giving a ten cent meal TO the 500 900
children. That alone would cost the city
S0,OO0O1O a year. In all my experience /
never heard 20 many complaints from the
public against our system Of education as
al present. Ten per cent or over 4s 600
Of our public school pupils are backward
If there Is something wrong in our system
we should apply the remedy
Gen. Wingate advised the board to 20
slow in making any changes. Il warn you
gentlemen, he declared. that il you put
on part time ~ per cent. Of the very young
pupils who are now on full time in order
To accommodate the 10 per cent. who are
now on part time in the COnGested parts
Of the city below Fourteenth street. there
will be a ructon that will shake this board
Il wish to show the results Of modern
education in our public schools as | have
observed them, said Mr.. Adams. L eN-
amined the letters Of about thirty appi-
cants for the position Of clerk. They were
graduates Of our public schools. You ought
TO see the writing and spelling in those
Letters. They were dreadful. No such poor
results from the schools we're found fifteen
years ago,
City Superintendent Maxwell made a
defence Of the present system. He said
the main question was whether the school
year should be abbre waited, and not IL the
course OF study should be revised The
large size Of the classes forbade the short
ening Of the day. The shorter the day the
more would the education OF foreign born
pupils he impaired. Both mind and body
must be educated at the same time 70 OBJ
tain the best results, and this was done in
five hours a day. i trust the Board Of
Education will preserve the school day
which has come down to us after centuries
OF trial he concluded
Abraham Stern, who started the reform
mo We ment, said that the teachers advo-
Gated the shorter time for the pupils
Il want TO explain the hope for soon
overcoming the necessity for part time
in our schools said Mr. Greene. There
are now under construction schools which
will give 5000 additional sittings. We
have made plans for other schools that will
supply rs 600 more. All will be completed
in about two years. That will accom-
modate more than 10000 additional pupils
Those on part time now number 65 600 and
the annual increase in the school popula-
ton Is from Is 900 to 10000 pupils.
A vote was taken on a resolution not to
make any changes In the present system
The resolution was lost 10 to 10. Then a
vote was taken on Mr.. Sten's resolution
TO shorten the school day and it was car
ried, % to y.
the board that the time OF first year pupils
should be three and a half hours, instead Of
five hours day, as at present and there
should be eliminated from the course OF
study for that year sewing. drawing
games. physiology and hygienio exercises
The resolution asks the board Of super
intendents- to recommend these changes
The Board Of Education cannot make them
without recommendation from the other
board.
The meeting decided not 10 grant per-
mission 20 pedlers 10 do business during
the Jewish holidays, from March 20 10 April
p, in front Of Public School a, in Hester
street between Orchard and Ludlow streets
petition was received from the United
Citizen Pedlers' Association asking per-
mission The board held that nothing
should be allowed 10 interfere with the
prompt escape Of the children in case Of a
fire. The Board Of Aldermen has granted
permission 10 the pedlers TO occupy the
street.