St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-02-19
PROPOSES VACATION SCHOOL
Rev. A. y. Grint Would Keep the
Children From Evils of Idle
ness

Chluren from Evils OF Idle
ness
Mr. Editor:
The letters of our school directors
and of DR.. Wakefield, ought to be
read by every up-to-date citizen.
They deserve serious thought and
consideration. When the welfare OF
the child is concerned one should
be enthusiastic and generous.
Although probably of little value,
permit me to endorse all that has
been said for doing something"
and doing something" right away
1t seems to me that Dr. Wakefield's
plan to unite the two buildings on
Summer street under one roof has
merit, the new central building ex-
tending east and west. We have
the ground; one heating plant could
care for the whole, one janitor, and
the expense of such a plan would
be less than any other. The COM
eted whole might DE regarded
as an architectural monstrocity,
yet a competent architect might be
able to make a pleasing whole. And
become enthusiastic when the
school directors propose that the
basement of this new structure
be fitted up for manual training
andl domestic sceince. Splendid
And whilst we are planning, do let
us have an auditorium for gradual
ing exercises and other purposes.
This new building is absolutely
necessary to relieve the present
over-crowded condition of the Sum-
mer street school, ard with the
growth of st. Johnsbury this condi-
ton will become more SO with every
advancing year. And the present
north building must also receive at
tention. For one l read with
shame DR.. Wakefield's indictment:
THE cloak rooms and toilet faci-
lfties are disgrace, IL not really in
decent"
Now sir, let me venture to sug-
gest something further concerning
the care of our children which thus
far has not been touched upon. How
about the summer, the long vaca-
ton, when our school buildings are
closed, and most Of the children are
running our streets! May / say a
word for the vacation school?
What parent in the summer time
has not known the cry: What shall
l do? Time hangs heavily on the
children's hands. And into the
streets they go, and into mischief
too. Why not utilize school
building some mornings, say each
week, to give manual instruction to
our girls and boys? Done in other
towns and ciuesl VIII reduce ju-
veniIe crime! And will add to the
usefulness and capability of the
coming man and woman! Homes
would be benefited, children would
be happier, and war would thus be
waged on vicious habits and juven-
lie crime. To save the child is a
street schools decreased at this time
this enlightened policy pays.
Again, DR.. Wakefield mentions
the 10 per cent who fail TO secure
promotion. And the years work
has to be done over again, costing
some $4,000 annually. To cut down
this figure, and also to benefit the
child, l would advocate still further
the vacation school. Let the child
have the chance to work off the de-
fciencies, and thus not lose a
whole year. l thank DR.. Wake
field for noting this financial loss;
$4,000 must appeal to the pockets
of our citizens. or course this
summer instruction-say in the af-
ternoons-don't make it strenuous
will cost something. But not
$4,000.
Again, would also advocate, what
New York City is doing SO magnif-
Gently, the using of the auditorium
if it be built-for evening lee
lures once in a while to our peo-
pie, on travel, art, science, or
something to take the place of the
old Lyceum. Merely a suggestion!
But enough! / love children.
/ am keenly interested in their well
fare and in all educational matters.
And also in the welfare of st.
Johnsbury.
Yours very sincerely,
ALFRED POOLE GRINT