New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-12
Plague Gives Youths Two
Weeks Respite from
School Attendance.
NEW INSTITUTE FOR
INSTRUCTORS BEGINS
Educational PIattSburg'
Expected to Raise Educa-
tiOnal Efficiency.
"Skin-nav. come on over"


day. There was a spirit of wild aoan-
don in the way ne shouted TO his com
rades. There was sweet feeling OF
revenge in his heart. He still had two
weeks vacation before him, while his
teacher had to report at school at once
It mattered little TO the boy that the
endemic of infantile paralysis was re-
sponsible for his two weeks grace.
Health Commissioner Haven Emerson
in 4 letter TO william G. Wilcox yes
terday stated that he felt it would be
safe to open all schools Monday, Sep
TENDER %.
Every one Of the 2O,O67 teachers in
the public elementary and high schools
of greater New York had to answer the
rollcall at a. m. yesterday. They
now face ten days hard training in the
Teachers Institute, an innovation SO
far as this city is concerned.
Called Educational Plattsburg.'
When it became apparent that the
date for opening the schools would
have TO be postponed on account OF the
epidemic William G. Wilcox, president
of the Board of Education, decided that
the teachers could improve the inter
vening time. The work fell to the
twenty-six district superintendent TO
arrange short courses of instruction,
varying from short talks on the psy-
chology of teaching to civic matters
and school hygiene. The Board of Edu-
cation calls the new scheme an "Edu-
cational Pattsburg."
The teachers assembled in the audi
forums of forty-six schools through
out the city and were then divided INTO
"section meetings" in the various rooms
of the buildings whore the particular
courses of instruction began. Ihey
seemed to enter upon the new order
with enthusiasm. That may have been
accounted for by the explanation OF
William McAndrew, Acting City Super
ntendent of Schools.
Teachers always think more OF their
vocations," he said, than their yaca-
tions. It is the nature of all real
teachers to love to work, in which they
differ somewhat from persons engaged
i'm the pursuit of other arts. School
teachers in New York always look for
ward to Mondays with an eagerness
that surpasses their desire to reach
Saturday. They were all on hand this
morning and the new Teachers Insti-
tute opened with whoop."
Claxton Sends Congratulations.
To add TO the enthusiasm, a letter
received by Mr. Wilcox from =. p.
Claxton, United States Commissioner
of Education, was read. lie con-
graduated the president Of the board
and all the teachers on the fact that
they had decided to use, $50 WELL" the
time which otherwise would be lost.
"The country is greatly interested
in New York CIty's fine plan for a
great teachers institute" wrote Mr..
Claxton. THE postponement of the
opening Of the schools indicates the
city's care for the lives of its children.
The holding of the institute shows a
determination 20 prepare for a better
use Of the lives Of children when they
are able 20 return in safety to school.
at is calculated TO make the schools
serve the community most effectively.
The willingness of the teachers to do
their full duty for the children and
the city is splendid"
4 systematic effort is being made
through the institute to improve every
teacher A uniform card has been
issued. with twenty-five questions,
which will be filled out by each of the
10000 teachers The answers will
throw light upon what the individual
/ teacher has found impeded or en-
b HANGED his success. The queries are
put with the idea of getting both the
/ weaknesses and the strong points.
Suggestions Will Follow.
From the tabulation and analysis of
/ these reports suggestions for self
+ Improvement, in school system and
educational methods. will follow.
/ These. the school authorities believe,
will increase materially efficiency.
The questions are definite. For ex-
/ ample. it is asked whether the teacher
] is neat, tolerabe or slovenly, healthy.
O anamic, able or weak; If his voice is
4 shrill or harsh, clear or indistinct;
whether his temper is even or irritable,
Gignified or not so; whether the dis
/ cipine is strict or lax; whether he is
/ enthusiastic or apathetic. The replies
TO these questions will be compared
with the records the teachers have
made.
While most Of the lectures and
courses will be conducted by officials
of the Board Of Education, there is n
/ long list of city officials and educa-
tors who will speak on variety Of
subjects.
Department Heads TO Speak.
Among them are: John T. Fethers-
ton. Street Cleaning Commissioner, on
Municipal Cleanliness; Acting Super
intendent McAndrews, on the Plague
of Personality; DR.. Haven Emerson
and several Of his aids. on "School
Hygiene: Borough President Marcus
VI. Marks, on Work, Play and the
Newer New York; Robert Adamson,
+ Fire Commissioner, on the prevention
Of Connagrations ard the Methods Of
Stopping lncipient Blazes."
Also Dr. Ira s Vile. on "Epidemics
and School Attendance; George A.
Hall. of the New York Child Labor
+ Committee. on New Child Labor
+ Law; Mrs. !. f. Sanders, on Fresh
Air Classes; Or. H. NJ. Leipziger, on
y Wider Use Of School Houses; the
Rev. Nathan Krass, Rabbi Of Temple
/ Israel. Brooklyn, on what the Public
Expects of the Schools; What tho
Schools Should Do for the Public" and
Samuel p. Abelow, on 1.-THE Young
American"
President Wilcox will talk on
Teachers Pensions" Ex-President
william II. Taft, president of the
League to Enforce Peace. has offered
to get men to tell the teachers Of the
programmes for the work of the