The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-03-06
ABOLISH
THE CUSTOM
Of Commencement Exercises
For Eighth Grade
Such Is The Desire OF The
Teachers And Pupils
In A Petition Sent To The
City Board OF Education.
A Vacation Of One Week
Granted This Spring
A Wash Tub Installed In The
Domestic Science

Commencement exercises for the
eighth grade pupils of the Mt. Vernon
public schools, which have been Gus
tomary for many years, will, perhaps,
be abolished this year and probably
none will be held at any time in the
next several years. The fact grows
out of several petitions from teachers
and pupils in the eigth grade who
have made efforts to have the custom
abolished. The matter was given over
entirely into the hands OF Superlntend-
ent zemer by the school board at their
regular monthly meeting held Monday
evening.
There are several reasons advanced
why the eighth grade commencement
should be discontinued. Teachers and
pupils say that there is expense, strain
and loss of time in making prepara-
tions and feel that they are not Justi-
fed In spending the time and money.
Superintendent Zemer does not favor
the commencement, all things consid-
cred, and will make an effort to do
away with it.
There was a great deal Of discussion
at the meeting of the board over the
cold condition Of rooms in the several
school buildings about the city, There
have been numerous occasions when it
has been necessary to dismiss pupils
from various rooms on account of the
lack OF proper heat It has been far
worse this year than ever before, the
temperature in the rooms ranging
from 48 to 60 degrees. Mr.. 2emer
asked the board If something could
not be done to remedy the unfaVorable
condition OF affairs. He said that
the pupils and teachers have lost en-
tirely too much time, especially In
the Third ward. No definite action
was taken by the board upon the mat
ter
Mrs. j.. S. Kinnaird, representing
the Mothers club of the First ward
building, asked the board, in a com
munication, to assist in preparing for
a stereopticon lecture on the care Of
the teeth for the children Of the
school. The idea was discussed and
finally it was decided that 1t would
be q good plan to hold such lecture
in the high school auditorium and let
the children from all over the city
attend. Arrangements for the lecture
will be made and it will be given un-
der the auspices of the First Ward
Mothers Club.
The board voted to provide for the
Easter vacation OF one week 1t will
begin on Monday, March Goth.
The girls in the domestic science
department at the high school will
do their own washing hereafter. a
wash tub will be installed in the do
nestle science room and the students
will do all the washing that is neces'
sary to he done. This has been costing
the school board about $40 per year.
Superintendent zemer announced
that preliminary test debate will
be held by the high school debating
teams at the auditorium on Thursday
morning at $3.50 o'clock.
The Mothers Club of the Third
ward petitloned the board for dunn
bells to be used in that school, This
matter was referred to the teachers
and the text books committee
Mr.. Zemer was authorized to in
struct manual training class to build a
cupboard In which to place the appar-
atus that is used in the science de-
partment. The cupboard is needed
and it will be good training for the
{ class to construct II
Bills for month of February were
read and were allowed by vote OF the
! board
The hoard recessed until Friday
evening, March eth, at 7 o'clock,