The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-03
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NEW B CoNFRoNTS
LOCAL EDUCATORS.
Data Being Gathered as to Number of
Defective Children, with View to
Forming Special Glasses.

running bpSNAaA NAaSoVes
Regarding the matter OF having separate
classes for mentally defective children,
which was brought up for discussion at
the meeting of the State Teachers Assoc
citation in Atlantic City last week, Super
%intendent DR.. Addison B. Poland has is
sued a circular letter to local principals,
in which he declares hat it is necessary
to nave actual data upon which to base 3
Recommendation for the formation of one
or more of such classes.
The principals have been requested to
send to DIR. Poland, not later than Janu-
airy is. the replies to a number of ques-
tons as to the backwardness of children
In their schools. Following is a list of the
queries:
l. Number of pupils now in second year
who nave been In school first anu second
grades): Three years; four years; i've
years; a longer period.
2. Number of pupils now in first year
who have been in school: Two years;
three years; a longer period
8. Number of pupils In first and second
year who, In your opinion, will never be
able - complete the work of the second
year.
4. How many pupils have you in Your
school, who, in your judgment, arc nlsn-
tally incapable of prohting by ordinary
class instruction.
Dr.. Poland has also asked that he to
made aware of any special instances OF
ub-normal children in any of the schools.
Such classes are existent in all of tie
large cities of the country. They are con-
sidered necessary, not only for the men
tally deficient pupils themselves, but FOR
the schools other pupils. on whom the
Influence NJ tbo hanl unrd rhildran is not
good. If the classes are formed they viii
probably be called special classes for in
dlvidual Instruction" to distinguish them
from the ungraded schools.
The neat regular executive meeting of
the Essex County Teachers Guild will
take place in the Free Public Library
next Wednesday afternoon, when a num-
Der of important matters will be brought
up for discussion.
S Erwin Manness. principal OF the
Eighteenth Avenue School,. is making an
investigation of the licensing of teachers
In first and second class cities in this State.
A report of his investigations will be pre-
pared ard presented before the members
of the New Jersey Council of Education
at their annual meeting in April. MIR.
Manness declared yesterday that he has
found that a great diversity of method
exists. 1t is the intention of the council
to recommend the adoption by the State of
a uniform method of granting license.
A the next meeting Of the Newark Pub
lie School Principals Association, to be
held in the Free Public Library Wednes-
day afternoon, January 10, a report will
be presented by the committee which has
been investigating the question OF recess
in the various schools.
AZ the February meeting of the Parents
Association of the Central Avenue School
Elmer K. Sexton, the principal, will give
O talk on Historic and Literary Boston.
illustrating his subject with stereopticon
views. 1t is likely that the meeting will
take place Wednesday evening, February
10, instead Of the second "Wednesday In
the month. which is the anniversary of
the birth of Lincoln.
Martin L. Cox. principal of the Thir-
tenth Avenue school,, Is i'll at his home,
$40 Clinton avenue. A few days ago a
severe fit OF coughing resulted in the
bursting Of one of his ear-drums, 1t is
hoped that he will be able to occupy his
office Monday.
Assistant superintendent ]. Wilmer Ken
needy will be the speaker at the next
meeting of the Parents Association OF
the South Street School. The miscella-
neous program will be furnished by the
children. An exhibition Of the work OF
the evening and day pupils will be held
The third in the series of concerts In
the Elliott Street School will take place
Wednesday, night. The program will be
furnished by Mrs. Elizabeth Stickney-
Courier, soprano; Earle Pfouts, vlelinlst,
and Edwin M. Shonert. pianist.
The regular meeting of the Parents As
ISOLATION of the Elliott Street School viii
take place in the assembly room of the
school Friday night. instead of tonight, as
was planned.
The change of dates was a necessary
by the inability OF the speaker, Judge
Whitman, of New York. to appear. lie
was to lave talked on Juvenile Court.
It is b that he will be in Newark
next wednesday night. II not, another
speaker win be provided. The mlscel-
laneous program Will be rendered entirely
by boys, 1870 of whom will be heard in
chorus work,
A meeting OF the executive committee
Of the Alumni Association of the Hamburg
Place School will AXE place in the school
tonight for the purpose of arranging for
the annual entertainment, to be held Feb
ruary T.
The faculty and pupils of the Elliott
Street School are arranging for a moving
picture exhibition to take place in the
school Tuesday evening, January q, for the
benefit of the school fund.
Principal s. Erwin Manness, of the Eigh-
teenth Avenue School, and Mrs. Manness
spent the holiday vacation at Jamaica,
l.. l., where they were the guests OF
George Van Benschopen.
A fac-simile of the Declaration of indie
pendence. framed and ready for hanging,
will be presented to the Franklin School
by Washington Camp No 4S, of the Pa
tuotic sons Of America, at the regular
meeting of the Parents Association next
Wednesday night. The speech of accept
ance will be made by Principal Arthur G..
Balcom. A program of songs and recita-
tons win be rendered by the third and
fourth grade pupils.
DR.. Poland's round table meeting with
the assistant superintendents, supervisors
and principals will take place in the lee
ture room of the Board Of Education in
the Civ Hall next wednesday afternoon.
Local teachers are happy in the possess
sion of their December salaries. having
been paid today, unusually early. as they
usuallv raceiya fhair pbecke about the