Evening journal., 1916-10-11
Gun OUT TIME WASTE AND LOST MOTION.

( CUT OUT TIME WASTE AND LOST MOTION.
ECAUsE Of the prevalence Of infantie paralysis in
city the public schools have opened for the TALL
m month later than usual In consequence, the
ial schedule for the term has been thrown out OF
at and efforts being made to readiust it to the
raordinary conditions that exist
Dur Board OF Education already has taken prelimi-
y steps in that direction Decision has been reach
that-the early dismissal of pupils on Friday af-
moons for perfect attendance during the week be
continued and that "the remaining weeks of the
nool year 191617. be divided into two terms OF about
1al length, and that February 16 1917, be the last
Of the first term of the school year. and February
/. 1917, be the first day Of the second term"
Ne do not think there will be serious objection in
y quarter TO the Friday afternoon plan. but if the
adjustment Of the school terms under the resolution
oted above means that 1880 pupils to be kept
hot, stuny, dusty and mperfectly ventilated school
pms next July when they ought to be out and enjoy
the recreative advantages OF the Summer vaca-
n do not think the parents in this city will
7mit to it.
N addition TO the foregoing it also has been sug-
sted that the school day be heightened by one hour
formal action looking to such change has yet
taken by the board.
We submit that it would be wrong for our Depart
mt Of Education to pile TOO much Of burden on
young shoulders Of the thousands of boys and girls
attend the public schools Such action inevitably
u result in the impairment OF their health and do
pre- harm than It viii do good
Between class work and home work the children
ye had in the past all the mental and physical strain
~ should be called upon to endure in the future
teachers too, have been called upon do all they
0uld be expected to do with respect the length Of
p school day and the length of the school term.
THAT. in a calendar sense. one month of the pres
school term has been lost because OF the prevail
ce OF nfantie paralysis is fault of the pupils or
e teachers. nor should they be penazed because Of
e health conserving precaution represented by that
b time.
~ the suggestion that the school day be heightened
hour adopted. and il the added hour were
ided up among the studies as to permit Of longer
sons, it would about nine minutes more a day
Classroom devotion to each study It also would
longer time devoted at home to each
ldy That would be the result, despite the fact that
my Wilmington parents have complained bitterly in
past Of the amount Of home work their children
We been called upon to do.
Lengthenng the school day would cause inconven-
ace and dissatisfaction in thousands OF homes be
fair to the teachers and to the pupils and prejud-
to their health. It probably would result in little
educational benefit, because of the brain-fag and
ysical strain that inevitably would result there
Il the iengthening Of the present school term which
aally ends on February l, be predicated upon the
ought that the ensuing term also shall be extended
that the Summer vacation OF the pupils and the
chers shall be shortened correspondingly the pro-
i that viii be raised will not be restricted by any
to those pupils and those teachers Parents who
an Summer vacations and who value the health OF
ir children viii make themselves heard if a scheme
that sort be proposed seriously
There is no denying that time has been lost There
no denying that it should be made up so far as 4
" be practical and sensible to do so. Perhaps Il
uld be better for the Board Of Education and Super
endent Scott to forget the longer school day ant
longer second school term and make up the los
ae BY cutting out Of the school work, at least fo
current school year, such fads and frills it may
re contained in the past and bringing the lessons
the exercises down TO absolute educational funda
|sntals. Enough time doubtless is wasted each year
der the system heretofore prevailing to make up