New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-08
LITTLE RED SCHOOL
HOUSE DAY IS PAST
In the 0Iden Time "FlunkS"
Didn't Count When VaCa-
ton Came Around.
BUT IT'S DIFFERENT NOW
Summer Schools Rally to Relief
of Wounded Family Pride
and Keep Backward
Pupils Busy.

'I tried TO make up on 'rithmertic," eX-
planned the small boy happily, as he
slipped his baseball into his tattered
blouse. and pushed his way into the line
that formed early at Public School on
7 Rivington street yesterday morning.
Z Vacation? There's no rest for the am
4 bilious Time was when, however. stupid
YOU were. you could be sure Of ten weeks
2 freedom from schools and all their at
tendant inconve1iences You didn't
pass" and there was an end ont. Things
are managed better now in these progress
sive days.
II small Jacob does not live up to the
promise Of his elder brother, Isaac. who
was bright boy. believe me the school
comes 20 the relief OF wounded family
pride. Sh! Jacob. that so stupid brat
shall go by the summer school and make
up" those lessons. Sh! Don't tell it on
Jacob. and grossmutter. maybe she Tor
get il yet and give Jacob present when
he goes in the next class all right next
fall
Family pride-yes, and personal ampl-
ton too-are the handspring Of the sum
mer vacation schools. which opened yes
terday all over greater New York for the
tcontinuation classes The courses last
six weeks. in which time, by dihgen'
study. any delinquent penitent JACOB can
recover the standing in his community
(which he sacrificed to the joys OF spring
stime
There are Industrial classes. too
whose existence fills an entirely different
need. The children who spend six weeks
learning TO make baskets, doll houses,
broad boards. aprons lemonade and
,rafis hats are there because their parents
prefer these occupations TO the gutter
games which are the only alternative OF
most city children.
These two courses-"contlnuatoh anu
'industriaT'-compose the curriculum oi
tbirty-three public schools, with the
largest enrolment of any year since the
summer schools opened In one school
all the applicants for summer lessons
could not be received. and waiting isl
of two hundred was formed. large pro-
norton of the two hundred stand a good
chance of being permitted to quaf OF the
summer springs Of knowledge because
the attendance, enthusiastic as it is on
the first day-especially cool one ike
vcsterday-is pretty sure to dwindle
nightly before a week has passed
Sometimes almost the entire personnel of
the class changes before the six weeks
are over. one Of the teachers said
In addition to the classes in the regular
public schools there are anneXes on the
ferryboats Westdeld, Middletown and
Rutherford There are summer play
grounds in a large number Of schools
too. bringing the total Of school facilities
In use during the summer up TO WITHIN
-two-thirds Of the regular number,
Children who don't take kindly to the
idea of school in summer, and yet find
lime hanging heavily on their hands, get
occupation at the Church schools
sixty churches opened their vestries yes
.erday for the summer session in cook
ing. carpentry. dancing and other semi
intellectual sports
The church schools" have the ad-
vantage over the public vacation schools
in that they serve ice cream every FIJI
day. They are supported by the Daily
Vacation Bible School Association and
the Federation of Churches. Needless 10
say, attendance on Friday is always per-
feet. These schools. too, teach first aid
10 the injured-also popular.
What wouldn't you give TO be drowned
and rolled on barrel before the whole
class: or, suppose Johnny" Jones broke
his head. and you were the best lttie
nurse in the class, and had the honor OF
getting up on the platform and bandag-
ing that bloody brow for Johnny II
heats speaking pieces any day. Therefore,
the children at the Madison Avenue
Presbyterian Church struck yesterday
Lilly Brown delivered the ultimatum for
the comrades.
I'VE amt a-comin' lest we kin have
first aid" she announced.
The teacher, a young Barnard College
girl. consulted with the principal, a
Young Union Theological Seminary man.
md the strikers were assured Of first aid
once week.