The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-14

In his report MI, Be6Qe also IHdheS ~
perfectly clear, on the basis of his own
observation and the practical expert
ence Of superintendent Maxwell, of
New York, and Of Superintendent Cool
ey, Of Chicago, that no serious objec-
Ition can be urged against the addition
Ial use of school buildings. The increas-
ed exranse for heat, light and janitor
seS-4ce Wo&ld be comparatively small.
On the other band, he emphasizes the
fact that "the $otal valuation of the
school property buildings and sites) in
New Haven is about $20eG, 500. The in
terest on this amount at 81 per cent.
is $4,000. This, of course, is the annual
expense of the city for carrying its
school buildings. This is $191 day.
The amount is so large that it seems
reasonable to say that, the city should
get from it's school buildings all the use
that can profitably be derived from
them" No citizen or business man can
hesitate to endorse this convincing
statement of fact.
Profting by the experience of other
cities, and on the basis of a study of
local conditions here in New Haven, we
are Of the impression that there are six
or seven distinct lines in which we as
citizens can effectively unite with the
board of education in further develop
ing the resources of our public school
buildings.
The first duty is to cooperate with
the vacation school and Fairgrounds
committee in developing the important
work which it has already inaugurated.
/ am informed by member of that
committee that they attribute the APP
preparation of one thousand dollars,
which they have just received from the
city, to the civic interest aroused by
these mass meetings. A more worthy
use of public funds could not be mag
ined, but the sum appropriated will not
suffice to pay the teachers; hence the
remaining expenses and the resources
for the much-needed extension of the
work must still be met by our private
contributions. Thus far only three va
cation schools and three Fairgrounds
have been opened. Those of us who
recall DR.. MaxwelFs vivid picture Of
the babies in the tenement districts of
New York, sleeping during the hot sum
mer days under the shadow Of the
school buildings, are eager to cooper
ate In putting the same sensible policy
into force here in New Haven. We
would strongly recommend that the
public school grounds in at least the
crowded parts of our city be opened TO
the children not only few hours daily
during a limited portion of the year,
but, if possible, at all hours Of the day
and year. Open air and wholesome sur
roundings are vitality essential to the
physical and moral health of our future
citizens.
To develop these possibilities time
and labor are required, The Associated
Societies pledge to Mrs. Atwater, the
chairman of the vacation school and
summer Fairgrounds committee, and to
the cause which she represents, their
hearty cooperation and support. We
are glad that she is also to become a
member of our general school commit
tee.
In the second place, we desire, to see
not merely a few, but all, of our school
buildings common meeting places where
the parents and experienced leaders
who are able to offer wise counsels re-
garding the outfits and possibilities Of
intelligent parenthood maye come into
close touch with each other. Without
this practical cooperation II Is impos-
sible for the public schools to develop
the highest type of citizen. 1t is APP
propriate, therefore, that Mr.. J, C.
Knowlton, one of our most effective
principals, and Mrs. James r. Bolton,
president of the StAte and City FEEDER
ations Of Mothers Clubs, should lend
their counsels to OUR central commit
tee.
A trenchant criticism which might be
made against our modern system Of ed
ucation is that 1t fails to meet the needs
of many who would profit by 1t most.
There are thousands in this city who
have been compelled to leave the pub
lie schools at the age when they were
just beginning to understand what an
education meant, or else, like many of
the foreigners among us, they have
never had an opportunity to attend the
public school at all. The problem is
how this opportunity can be extended
to them The night schools are doing
much; but experience elsewhere has
demonstrated that, through the medium
OF the public lecture given in the local
schools, the city's responsibility to the
most needy, and often the most appre-
ciative, Of It's citizens can bust be wor-
thily discharged.
To quote again from Superintendent
Beede's valuable report:
at is possible to reach many people
by these lectures who probably could
not be reached in any other way. They
can be held very profltaDly in the for
eign sections of city. illustrated lee
lures are especially valuable in these
courses. Lectures on history and civlcs
may also be made of great use. In the
latter such subjects as The Duties of
the Citizen, The Use Of the Ballot
and The Meaning of American Free
dom can be taken up. 1t seems to me
that a great deal of good can be done
by such lectures on civics in these sec
tons of the city. The lectures should
be plain, simple talks, didactic in ma
ture, suited to the experience and the
comprehension of the listeners. Doubt
less many school buildings could be
used for such lectures Sixth-grade
rooms, and even lower-grade rooms,
could be used for this PURPOSE