The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-27
ny MARY GRAHAM BONNER.

IMAGINE a public school where
there are no rules to be obeyed:
i where the young children virtu-
ally do as they please: where
among the thirty-two hundred pupils
one rarely, n ever. finds a naughty
boy or a naughty girl: where the
children know that they are being eX-
perimented upon in an effort to pro-
duce a perfect system of education.
II sounds incredible. doesn't IL?
That's what I thought too when add
vocates Of the latest phase Of modern
education-the Gary system-summed
UP to me in this fashion what had
been accomplished. what was being
accomplished at an experimental
station here In New York.
It Is in The Bronx that this new
departure in child culture is being
worked out. Practically all OF the
children IN Public School As at Loril-
lard place and 1S9th street are of
foreign parentage. The success so
far attained by this tryout has turned
doubters into admirers.
When New York city officials visited
Gary. Ind, last year to observe Will
am Wlrt's idea as carried out there
they were so much impressed that
they offered Mr.. Writ a chance to try
his system in one OF the schools in
Brooklyn and In this larger school
in The Bronx.
Under Mr.. Wirt's plan the school
activities continue through twelve
hours Of the day instead of five hours,
and Of six days a week rather than
FIVE. This does away with the ru5h
Of children after school hours to the
crowded streets, where the environ
ment may cad them into gangs, hen
into police courts. The programme
Of the school provides both work and
play, 1t has opportunities for its
pupils to opoose a vocation for which
they may have a latent talent and
which under other circumstances
might not be developed.
This plan does away with the con
sested school classes. Every bit of
space Is used throughout the day by
the classes moving from n class
room TO another. Although the good
effects OF this system have been
shown throughout the school year
stu II is for this generation and the
NsN ~ III Nldl ~ AN1
will really show materially.
Yes, II seemed incredible. There
was non Of the deadly silence of
corridors with pupils Fastening
stes,thlly along which is found in the
usual public schoo'. There was none
" the fear and awe that can he seen
in children who have been cowed or
frightened into a disciplined subsection.
There were happy faces with frank
smiles. There were sounds Of laugh
Ter There were evidences of childish
abandon, but despite all this there
was no lack Of order. no sign of con-
fusion, Every one seemed imbued
with a sense Of persona, response
hIity.
Bur isn't it almost unnatural? Isn't
I Almost uncanny? Thcre questions
came TO me, but wcro almost as
quickly answered by the proofs on
every side. There must he an inner
secret TO this. And with tho question
~ what that secre. WIS ! confronted
II" principal. Angelo I'atri. Mr.. Patri
emil'd whimsiCal.y as h" said:
1t IL more than a secret that we
Rove. II is an idea. The children in
tho public schools to-day vii, he IN"
c''2'ns Of o-morrow. They are tho
coming America. They are tho hope
OF America. It's scholars, its workers,
us scientists are to hc the big men II
the future.
TIL" s"hop, may train them To toll
IN the h"ld. II may lead them into the
printing shops. it may show them the
''Id No artistic success. But, back OF
j all. Tn" sch 81 must show them to
Ne v.'ul'g bigger and better. II must
"''' 0H 'u- finest n every one of
'i'"I If Il .s TO be the right kind OF
a F'',,'.
'TN pu'lIc schools cannot accom-
p'. 'IIe 81 ne. The cooperation Of
l." rIlruts - needed"
Nr l'u'" paused u moment and
''"a.d or' # a window owe the
-. .''D'' Park.
~ The Z ,vt Two hundred children
IN j0.. -nhuu,." he continued, "a most
o. .'" I'a'aaG. Their parCNts have
'''' 'o this new country % Ill crty
'hd freedom for all. They hive a. me
WIN 'h" VISION in their eyes, with the
h'l" Jon their hearts.
~ is not that they expect To real
IN me opportunities Of this new land.
~ Is for their children that they have
come, And their children walk into