Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-06
MERTON TO HAVE NEW
SCHOOL NEXT FALL
Main Line Town Looks For
ward to Establishment of
Ideal Type. Il

new school unique among educational
institutions of the country will be opened
at Merton on October 4. It win be unique
because. IN the words of its director, Miss
Gertrude Hartman, 1t will be neither con-
servative nor radical but will combine in
its curriculum the best of the old educa-
tlonal methods with the cream of the
new.
Just looking at Merton and contemplat-
ing all the wonderful improvements that
have conspired to make of the picturesque
suburb on the Main Line such an ideal
community, the ordinary observer would
say that nothing further was needed to
complete the perfection of the place.
But Merionites are not self-complacent.
For long time they have felt the need
or model open-air school for their
children within easy distance of their
homes, such as Bryn Mawr and other
communities boast. Now they are to
have II, too. The site has not been de-
finitely decided upon as yet, but in a little
while tins matter will be settled, build
ing operations begun, and by fall Merton
will have another feather in it's we'll
plumea cap in the shape of an exemplary
school for children.
DIRECTOR WELL EQUIPPED
The big figure behind the Merton Coun-
try Day School-that is to be it's official
tltle-will be, OF course. its director. Ever
since her graduation at Bryn Mawr in
1905 Miss Hartman has been fitting her
self for just such an enterprise.
In her determination to make of the
school which she knew she was going
to organize some day one founded on the
best qualities OF others, Miss Hartman
has travelled all over the United States
and abroad. visiting institutions OF learn
ing. Furthermore, her experience as
teacher in the Baldwin School at Bryn
Mawr for two years. assistant director
OF the Winsor School, Boston, for several
more. and then later an additional three
years spent as head of the English de-
partment at the Veltin School, New York
city. have convinced her of the need OF
the sort Of school such she intends TO
establish.
Backed and encouraged by the un-
stinted approval of the Merton Civic Asso-
citation. and, therefore, Of the leading resi-
dents OF the community. Miss Hartman
Is enthusiastic over her project.
WILL UTILIZE BEST METHODS
For the first year" she said, I'VE shall
have an age limit OF from to 10 years.
Gradually IL Is to he hoped We shall ac-
quire pupils up to the college going age.
"The kindergarten viii be conducted
according 10 modified Montessori methods.
In fact during the last two years l have
studied eNhaustiYely practically all OF the
so-ealed new ideas of pedagogy. Many
OF them, In my opinion, are radical, almost
freakish These stunts viii be discarded
m the Merton school. but the teaching by
the direct method, that Is, instruction by
active expression. will be one OF the big
features OF our school"
The Merton County Day School will not
be an altogether out-of-door institution.
The eiessrooms are 10 be especially con-
structed with one wall. that facing south
BY east, Of glass, that can be folded In
when the weather Is unusually inclement.
Ia addition TO the elementary subjects
necessary to the education OF every child.
many other studies. such as nature lore,
Rhythmic dancing. gymnastics. nome civics
the curriculum.