New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-25
City Has Made No Appro-
priatiOn for Teachers
Salaries.
VOLUNTEERS MIGHT
AID THE CHILDREN
Mrs. Parsons Traces Origin Of
Bylaw Which Bars Pros
pective Mothers.
BY HENRIETTA RODMAN.


The city threatens the children that
there will be no summer schools, no
appropriation to pay teachers salaries
The teachers have been asked to vol
unteer, to help the city in its emer-
gency. Perhaps a few teachers will
volunteer, but not many.
Gould teacher volunteers ne used to
develop initiative in nelghborhood. as
settlement workers do?" | asked Miss
Gertrude Colt, Of the College Settle
ment, at 90 Rivington Street.
81 don't see any reason why they
couldn't" said Miss Colt. "lf il is your
idea to run the summer schools like
settlements, with expert direction and
local cooperation, | should think 1t
might be done" .
I'VE have study clubs and debating
clubs under the leadership of boys of
eighteen and older" said Arthur IL.
Taylor, assistant head worker at the
University Settlement.
"All of our club leaders are volun-
teers, and 60 per cent Of them are
boys. | don't know 10 what extent you
would be able to get them for day work
in the summer schools. Many OF them
are employed during the vacations.
"Rut undoubtedly there are boys and
girls unemployed in the city during the
summer who might be developed into
leaders of work and play groups OF
younger children in the public schools.
at would certainly be worth trying
as an attempt to solve the enormous
financial problem Of the schools. ! am
sure that the settlements would be In
terested TO cooperate in any lay that
they could"
"This idea il an adaptation of the com
munity centre plan to summer school
work." said Miss Colt, ats success
will depend chiefly. think, on having
sufficient supervision"
Supervision stimulates initiative and
oily interferes to prevent INJURY, l
suggested. isn't it obviously better
for the young people and lar cheaper
for the city than direction which plans
each step the child is to take ?"
at is. of course, the settlement way,
replied Miss Colt, ito put as much re-
sponsibility on the children as possible.
We have self-direction under careful
supervision"
Mr. Taylor agreed 20 "self-direction
in study and play under local volunteer
leaders anu expert super NiSOiS'
In response to the appeal of the city
superintendents for volunteers TO work
in the summer schools. ! offer my ser.
vices for five days a week, from 9 until
/, on condition that ! shall be allowed
TO work in cooperation with the Peo-
Piles Institute and the settlements TO
develop self-directing work, study and
play groups Of children under selected
volunteer leaders.
Eighteen women teachers are now
awaiting sentence under the bylaw OF
the Board Of Education which forbids
prospective mothers to remain IN
school.
The origin Of this bylaw is given by
Elsie Clews Parsons in THE Journal
Of Philosophy" of April Is.
Among primitive people the welfare
Of the community is urged as reason
for segregating a woman during preg-
nancy. The sense Of disquietude she
induces is quite directly expressed
Left at large it is felt that she may
bring misfortune and all kinds Of bad
luck.
"She may keep the sick from conva
lcscing. hunters from killing their
game. fields from bearing. To make
the other side lose ball game, the