The Washington herald., 1913-09-21
VACATION DAYS
END TOMORROW
Public Schools Now Ready to
Open Doors for the
Scholastic Year.
TEACHERS HOLD SESSION
Superintendent Davidson Confers with
Assistants Over Plans of Instruction.
Many improvements Made.

Vacation days are over. Tomorrow
4O, 600 youngsters of the District will wcnd
their way to the various school buildings
and begin their nine months battle with
the three elusive r.. All Is in readiness
for the opening Of the schools
More than l.IVD teachers the men and
women who will instruct the youth of
the National Capital during the scholastic
year, met yesterday al the various
school buildings and talked over plans.
The supervising principals OF the white
schools met the teachers Of their respoc-
tive divisions in their Office buildings yes
terday morning. Final instructions were
issued the teachers, and nnishing touches
made to the work of organization. Hun
d-eds Of the teachers put il. solid day
preparing for the opening OF the schools.
Busy Day spent.
DR.. William NJ. Davidson. superin-
tcndent of public schools in the Dis
trict. spent a busy day issuing final
instruct ms to his corps Of assistants
and found time to advise hundreds OF
parrnts who Invaded his Office TO ask
the usual questions: Can my little boy
John. FIVE years old. enter the first
grade OF can my little girl be trans
ferred 10 another school this year!
Her teacher last year took a dislike t"
her and kept her back" DR.. David
son was forced to patiently sit AMI
listen to hundreds of other similar
complaints.
DI. Davidson particularly warned
parents against trying to get their
children in the kindergarten under the
age of five. Despite the fact that
rigid rule has been made by the school
authorities governing the minimum age
Tor admission of children. large num-
her of parents Yesterday tried to have
special cases made of their children
in order to give them good start
In every case the rule was adhered TO-
for experience has shown the local au-
thoriI!cs that the child who enters un-
der the age OF five almost invariably
falls back. either mentally or phys
lCally.
Early AdmittRncr RetnrdS.
In support OF his statement. DR.. David
son called attention to the fact that the
letardation percentage in the FIRST grade
is greater than in any Of the other
grades. For instance. the number OF
trst-grade children in the schools last
wear was S.526 In the second grade the
enrolment dropped to 6,2II. The drop
between the second and the third grades,
however. was very slight this enroll
neut being 6l2i The fourth grade
showed only a slight loss also. the num-
OF course the superintendent pointed
out, the enrolment each year was not
the same. but the great number OF chill
iren found in the first grade each yea
: due partly to the fact that the per
.cntage OF children retarded here Is
greater than in the higher grades.
We have watched the cases Of chill
dren put into school before the proper
ege many. many times" said Ernest i.
Thurston. assistant superintendent in
-barge of white schools, and another Of
fetal in favor Of not trying to rush
children into school There is not
supervisor in the system but has watched
the cases of these children. child may
enter the kindergarten or first grade and
make out very well during the first year
but eventually the fact that he entered
shows.
---uy improvements Made.
..- n have completed all of the al
p. ...- to the various buildings. and
..reT will enter the buildings to-
and find them spick and span
number of improvements have
to the older buildings. which
with the new buildings. gives
zen of the National Capital
.. 1p-to-date school homes in the
...- Of the opening Of the public
morrow. Considerab ble mteresJ
AIKEN in the three new trade
ich have been established here
Irpose Of teaching trades -
eel thai they will not he able
.......... their education TIL Ough col
ege or high school.
Ii was stated at the headquarters Of
the schools Yesterday that it is not prob
lille that any additional schools of this
cot Will he opened this year. as it IS
lreiieVed the three now established will
bt enough To accommodate the number
who wish to take trade courses this year.
These schools are beyond the expert
rental stage in the District. but school
officials believe that it will take a longer
time than they have already been open
to find out in just what manner and just
now far they should be developed.
The local school officials yesterday
were delighted with the vim with which
the teachers set about making prepar-
ations for the opening Of the schools to-
morrow. They predict successful year
and record attendance.