El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-07-30
PUPILS DANCE Or
FIGHT WHEN THEY
WISH IN SCHOOL
Anarchist School in New
York Permits No Re
straining Rules.
BY GOTHAM KNICKERBoCKER-

- LAAE1ENbUA
New York, July s0.-What would
you think Of a school where children
are allowed TO do just as they pleas?
Where a boy stealing jam is simply
asked to consider whether he has not
done wrong?
Where two pupils having 8 fist fight
N me class room are asked whether
| ~ would not show more regard for
/ Ihelr teacher and the other boys and
glris u they went into the play yard
Where a girl dancing the tango in
| the middle Of the recitation room and
singing an accompaniment, is admon-
lshed gravely, but allowed TO proceed
II she pleaseS?
Where each boy or girl can do lust
what particular lesson seems most 10
MS or her liking, and can drop the
z STUDY OF geography to peer through
a microscope at will?
Yet just exactly these and even more
reInar kable doings are on view in the
scnool Of anarchists children in East
10th street.
Dance During Study Hour.
As was talking to Mrs. Cora Bennett
stephenson, the teacher, a boy Of u
got Up, whispered in the ear Of a girl
Of 10 and led her to an omen Mace
They proceeded to do a very spirited
dance, the name Of which I do not
know The other pupils applauded
Maria, Giuseppe, don't YOU see that
dancing just now causes the other pu-
pills to be distracted from their books?
Don't you think It would be more SEN
sible to dance this evening""
Yes, Mrs Stephenson -Ciuseppe
paused long enough TO say-''but me
now"
Very well, your spirits should not be
At this instant q dark eyed how
EIfUhTIw N1werA- -.
spectators Of the dance and seized
Maria wrested her from her partner
and whirled her IN a new evolution.
Rivals Fight In school.
Giuseppe was thrown to the floor,
but ne Jumped up Immediately and
on the Jaw. The two bows were soon
having an excellent boxing bout. much
70 the delight Of Maria, ct al
Boys, boys, what a foolish thing
to fight about Maria is willing to
dance with both Of you" said Mrs
stephenson, but without excitement
1herer now you have upset the I
sIO9e. DlonL you agree with me yes
terday that the sidewalk was a much |
more appropriate place 10 decide quar-
rels than the study ROOM
But the fight went on unchecked. !
MIS- stephenson turned 10 me
They will see their errors soon: 1t
would be dangerous to their initiative /
ana enterprise to prevent them from
uanclng or fighting. Children natur- |
stop them"
But supposing a child said he was
gong 70 jump, out Of the window" I 1
asked anMously.
We'll, none Of them ever debut 1
we would simply try to show them the /
reasons for not injUring themselves. /
They could jump II they decided to-"
No Rules or Regulations.
TIE Lhe ., Modern School has no rules or
like the public schools, which cramp 1
the chllds mind and body
~ peneye IN the freedom OF the i
ClLt i ne discuss with them what is
rignt ana wrong, but we never forbid
them things and never punish them
Our lQea IS this: from the conserva-
tive adult standpoint law and order
s t5eIn necessary; but how about the
chllo. During the first stage Of adol-
escence, say from 10 to Il years, every I
cnlld reels a craving to repeat racial
experiences These experiences were
nc dSliNlues or our forefathers dur
remote in time
Our children in repeating this stage
0t development feel the impulse 20 be
predatory to rove, to be idle, pugna- !
,ious, disorderIy. If we train q little
mia 20 De orderly and consistent, he
VII unconsclously fnhibit when The
2 hyslcaI need for spontaneous, spas
noqlc activity comes.
We impose no dogmas on the pupils
not even anarchy. and atheism. They
nay believe these If they wish We
ave classes in English, history. geo
5rapny' physiology. biology, physiO-
;raphy and astronomy.
we treat the child not as one who
VII enter life when he leaves our !
-sIlus, DuI as one who has entered life I
-lready- He graduates with his mind
rec To accept or reject what appeals !
o ms reason; he will not upbraid US l
~ OF hialng rom him facts he would |
alter inevitably discover for himself" |
NEED GLAssESe ASK sEGAIL.
-UAED no los TEK 4 elnIl Ell. IL |