Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-11-25
WANTS VACATIONS
TAUGHT IN SCHOOL
Chatham Supervisor Advises
Manual Training Course for
"Hand-Minded" Pupils.
Special to the Evening Star.

Special to the Evening Star.
CHATHAM. Nov. 25-That a pre-
vocation school In connection with
the present public schools would pro-
vide splendid occupation at times for
the thirty or more pupils who are
behind others of their age in the
Chatham schools and in general be a
big improvement to the system was
the belief of Supervising Principal
Charles A. Philhower, expressed in
his report to the Board of Eduea-
ton in regular monthly session last
evening.
Mr.. Philhower stated that there are
certain hand minded" pupils in
school who do not take kindly TO
academic training. A vocational
class for these pupils would do an
immense amount of good was his
opinion. There Is about a year and
half during the school course when
there Is a slump on the part OF pu-
pills. AS result of this there are 81
pupils three years or more behind
their grade.
No More "Chores" at Home.
The principal also called the mem-
hers attention to the fact that home
chores and little Jobs are now being
abolished both for boys and girls.
A vocational class gives children an
opportunity to learn to do something
with their hands, the while teaching
them other useful school subjects
while their interest is beng held by
the manual training. The principal
strongly advocated this innovation
for Chatham, and stated that the
State offers to pay half the cost of
the maintenance of such class.
Discussion and action on the prin-
cipals report was postponed for a
future meeting.
Mr.. Philhower also followed the
child through the various stages of
development in the schools, showing
when pupils were accelerated. when
retarded and when normal. He
showed where an immense amount
Of pupils drop out during the high
school course. He attributed this TO
the difference in teaching methods
between the grades and the high
school. AS a remedy for this he
advocated departmental work, where
by pupils proposing entering high
school could begin preparing under
o teacher in the seventh grade. AS
another cure for the retarded pu
pills, the principal proposed the sub
normal or opportunity class, providS
ing special training for deficient
scholars.
A synopsis of the new age and
schooling laws was read by Clerk
Hopping This law provides not only
for children who leave school to work
having working papers but also for
those who work outside of school
hours. A doctor must also voueh
for the strong constitution of any
school child doing outside work
Mr.. Philhower was appointed Su-
pervisor of school and exemption GER
tificates, as provided in the law.
second school Entertainment.
Herbert G. Strong reported for the
entertainment committee. which has
charge of the entertainment course
now being held in the school build
ing. He announced that the second
number would be the Morris Sisters
Quartet. which will give a perform
ance Friday evening in the Fair
mount Avenue School. He announced
that tickets have been sold to the
amount of $226.50, and turned over
10 the board $3.50, leaving s39 to be
still collected.
The custodian's report showed
se2S.32 on hand, with disbursements
coming due during the coming month
of s2,596.62. Audited bills passed for
payment amounted to S113 30. The
clerk and president of tl%a board
were authorized to borrow So 900 dur
ing the next month at their discre
ton to meet outstanding bills.
On motion of David Falconer II
was decided to send Supervisor Phil
hover to the annual principals con-
vention which will be held this year
on February % at Cincinnati. Fifty
dollars was appropriated for the
trip.
A communication from the State
Board of Education confirmed tbs
fcur-year curriculum for the high
school recently decided upon by tho
board.