The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-26

The school committee last evening voted
% allow the uke OF whatever school yards
and buildings may be required for sum.
mer Fairgrounds for the children. and
paSsed a resolution requesting the city
council to make a sufficient appropriation
for the maintenance OF the came.
In the matter OF making an addition 90
three open-a afr Fairgrounds at Tockwot-
ton park. Davis park and the proposed
Ediy park. the city has been canvassed
by Mary Josephine O'Connor. principal OF
. vacation playground school in New
York c1ty, and her report on the posSi-
blltles was referred by Mayor Dyer TO
the school committee.
Miss O,Gonnor's estimate OF the prob
able cost was under $500 OF which $i0L
was estimated for a supervisor 1890 for
10 principals and 5000 for the salaries of
80 teachers.
The report OF Miss OConnor said: IT
have found that there arc many school
yards which are most suitable and In
addition to these three open-air play
grounds may be established at Tock-
wotton park, Davis park and the pro-
posed Eddy park. 1 find that no lees
than seven school yard Fairgrounds must
be established in order to relieve the
congested districts, though three Others
could be added TO good advantage.
In the First ward we have already
Tcckwotton park, but l should advfse
another at the Arnold street school
in the Second ward the necessary site
81 Charles street school In the Third
Challostone avenue. In the Fourth. Elm
street. and the Fifth. Public street. The
children of the Sixth and Seventh wards
can be accommodated at Elmwood ave-
nue. school The Eddy playground IL
accessible 10 those who i've In the Eigln tn
as we'll as part OF the Ninth ward For
the italian district OF Federal Hill tho
Atwells avenue school seems to me TO be
xhe best eate. The Olneyville section
can be accommodated at Putnam street.
Harris avenue seems to be a very good
Vocation. but perhaps the Eddy park will
make IL unnecessary to use this school
For Mount Pleasant section Davis park is
already In order
II consider that each playground will
be successful with four teachers. two
men and two women, one assuming
charge as principal All the teachers will
be under the direction OF supervisor.
who will plan and oversee the work. hold
conferences With the teachers and report
the progress at the end OF the season. A
term OF eight weeks is advisable.
Davis and Tockwotton Parks are
equipped with gymnastic apparatus, so
that only the necessary supplies for daily
work need be added In those places Sim
liar apparatus must be erected I'm the
school yards and a supply OF simple kin
dergarten materials. quiet games and free
play toys and games will be needed In
each one. A case. OF books is usually loan
ed by the public library for each reading
room
For the supervisors and teachers SAL
aries have allowed $4,000. $500 TO the su-
pervisor. $12o TO each principal and Sl00
10 each assistant. TO be given In two pay
ments. There may be little additional
cost 10 compensate the Janitors for their
extra work and TO pay charges for cart
Ing, etc. 1 think that $500 will cover
everything and perhaps leave a surplus"
The estimates OF cost summed up are
NJ follows; Gymnsstic apparatus ana
playground equipment for seven school
yard Fairgrounds at $500. s2100: supplies
for 10 Fairgrounds, SIPS; supervisors SAL
airy. 500: 10 principals salaries, s1200 20
teachers salaries. 5000: total, s7925. Jani-
tors. carting. etc, extra. !.
After the subject had been discussed at
considerable length the resolution was
adopted as follows:
Resolved. That the school committee
fayors and approves OF the establishment
OF summer Fairgrounds for the children