Evening journal., 1918-12-10
SIX Days XMAS
SCHOOL VACATION
Board Of Education Short
ems Period Because of
Time Already Lost
BOARD WANTS FUND
FOR TRUANCY OFFICERS


The extremely serious handicap the
public schools have been under by the
looping OF from the autumn term OF
several weeks OF school time, led the
Board Of Public Education last night
to avoid a third long break In studies
by voting TO give a six instead Of an
eight day vacation at Christmas.
According to the bylaws the
Christmas vacation is from Christmas
TO New Years Day, with both OF these
days included. This year the two days
before New Years Day will be school
days instead Of holidays.
In recommending this change for this
year, DR.. Clifford J. Scott. superin-
tendent spoke OF the lost time when
the schools began two weeks later than
usual In the fall, when they were
closed for three weeks during the epi-
demlo, and when they Joined In the
peace celebration These were all good
reasons for being closed, said Dr.. Scott,
out the school wOFk was necessarily be-
hind It's schedule. Because Of Christmas
and New Years falling on Wednesday
this year, he said, the pupils would not
get into the spirit Of study the short
remainder OF New Years week
If that week was broken oaly by New
Years Day, it would add a week to the
session and yet shorten the holidays
by only two days.
The hno~d raanaha~Q arrpnd mani
mously with the superintendent. While
they expressed regret at shortening the
vacation, they felt an adequate school
year was Of far greater value to the
pupils than the two days cut on from
the holidays.
President George B. Miller and Super
intcndent Scott we appointed as a
committee TO ask City Council to pro-
vide funds for chief truant officer and
two assistant officers for the schools.
an expense. estimated with n 5000.
based upon Juvenile Court officers sal
aries.
Dr.. Scott said the question OF attend
ance was giving serious concern. While
most OF the children were enrolled and
provisions made for their education,
there were many out OF school and no
way 10 enforce the compulsory educa-
tlon law. The police officers and the
juvenile court officers, who In turn
acted as truant officers, are now too
busy TO do so, and the police officers
do not feel Il Is well for the children
20 be gathered up by the police. Dr.
Scott said the truanoy was increasing.
He attributed Il 10 war conditions,
absence OF fathers and older brothers.
high wages and the general feeling OF
unrest which Is widespread
D.. Thomas o. Cooper gave a history
OF the cain efforts OF the school board
TO secure funds for truant officers from
City Council
President Miller said he knew the
State Council OF Defense was greatly
Interested In the securing OF tfuancy
officers for the schools, and suggested
that they secure a committee from the 4
Defense Council to go with them before I
City Council.
The application made by the city 90 /
the government last September for flnan-
cial aid In providing school facilities 4
near the government housing projects /
has proved successful. As the school
will benefit the children OF Emergency
Fleet Corporation sh'pbullders, the
United States Shipping Board has agreed .
20 loan money TO provide building and
The Board OF Eductlon adopted a reso-
luton TO accept. with consent OF City
Council. the offer Of the Emergency
Fleet Co-portion TO loan $4,000 at 5
per cent interest for five years, to erect
an adequate school on the site OF No %,
provided 10 shall be open to the chill
dren from Union Park Gardens and
Wawaset Park.
The designations were accepted Of
Edna B. Thompson, School No. 80. and
Anna Adams, School No. %. Elementary
teachers appointed were Hazel Caufiiel,
20 School No. 30; Beatrice Caufllel, to
School No 25, and Margaret Woodward.
20 School No. Il. The transfer OF A. E.
instructor In meehagd cal
at the Wilmington High
School. TO the position Of supervisor Of '
Industrial Education was also made.
Secretary Harry Guthrie objected to
a reclassiflcatiOn Of school phones as
business phones, with a nearly doubled
charge for them. The matter will be
taken up with the telephone company.
The International Harvester Company
requested the use OF the High Schol
for tractor demonstrations
on January and 8. The board thought
II looked like an advertising matter and
Will Investigate before granting permis-
sion.