Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-22
RETURN T0SCH0OL
FOR ANOTHER YEAR
Opening Day Sees Enrolment
of Nearly $4,000, Which Will
Be Increased.
CHILDREN APPEAR HAPPY
TOBE AT THEIR BOOKS
Gloom of Tradition Conspicuously
Absent in District Temples
Of Education.

Public schools of the District were
opened today for the school year 1913
1914.
The opening day passed without q
hitch. even the elements combining to
make the day as perfect an opening
probably as has ever been witnessed in
the Capital city. Every one seemed
happy and enthusiastic.
1t is customary often to associate the
opening of schools with displeasure to
the youngsters. but as matter of fact
the children, by an overwhelming ma
jority, were glad to get back to their
desks. Even vacation pals after awhile,
for little ones become bored unless they
have something to do.
Schools Made Attractive.
The abolition OF the spare the rod and
spoil the child doctrine has had much
to do with the new feeling with which
the children now regard school. Besides
this, everything possible is done to make
the school place of interest and to Gre
ate an attractive environment; flowers,
pictures and other works of art, Wher-
ever possible, are used in the decoration
of the rooms, while the several studies
are carefully correlated with those things
in which the child is interested.
Then, too. every boy and girl has a Ger
tain number of friends at school. Some
of these become lifelong friends, and
IL is always pleasant to the young
sters to go back and renew acquaintance.
Nor should il be forgotten that in many
caseS-possibiy in most cascs-teachers
and children come together on a basis Of
friendship.
So il was thai today, instead Of boys
and girls sitting gloomily at their desks
and thinking OF vacation time, they were
all smiling and eager for work. In the
grade . A at the Franklin School where
"a reporter for The Star dropped in to see
what the real attitude OF the youngsters
was toward the opening of school, all the
children appeared unusually happy.
In answer to a question as to whether
they were glad to get back to school every
child in the room raised his or her hand
TO signify "yes'-that is, all who were
not too busy looking at their new books
to hear the question.
Eager for New Books.
The children are very glad to get
their new readers" said one teacher.
And they are now anxiously awaiting
new pencils and paper. A clean sheet OF
paper has great fascination for the lit
tie ones. ! would venture to say that
nearly every child in this room tonight
will be asking his parents for a pencil
and a new tablet. despite the fact that
these things are furnished by the schools.
They come with a great assortment of
pencils and pencil boxes. which, Incl
dentally drop on the floor sometimes
and make a noise.
DR. William VI. Davidson superintend-
emit of schools. was wearing his usual
smile despite the fact that he was called
on 10 meet numerous parents and answer
almost endless queries.
How would you like TO be starting into
school again as boy?" he was asked.
I'D like It," he said. as a momentary
look OF "reminiscences spread over his face
Wouldn't your
1t is estimated that the total number OF
children enrolling in the schools today
will reach nearly 1900. By the first day
OF October this number will be greatly en-
larged and the enrolment will gradually
/ increase as tho year progresses
/ Little work could be done today. OF
course. but tomorrow and the following
days studies will be increased until BY
!, the end OF the week the schools will be
) running along almost as smoothly as they
do in the middle of the year