New-York tribune., 1921-06-19

ana forDldolng. Iney were GRIM aH3frs--Ai~
most as grim as "haunted" houses. Not until
the opening day Of the regular session, when
the young people focked to them once more,
did they appear to have any vital connection
with the affairs of the community. To-day,
with summer schools opening everywhere, the
buildings have different aspect. Prophecy
is made that soon there will be summer ses-
sions even in the rural districts.
Summer schools have not only proved Of
general economic benefit, but they have saved
many teacher from distressing pinches Of
poverty-especially those teachers who have
been paid only during their months Of actual
work, and who find themselves off the pay roll
during summer vacation. No matter how care
fully such teachers may plan, most Of them
find themselves without funds at the begin
ming of vacation. Others, who may be paid on
the all-year basis may come to the end of the
regular session with debts confronting them
the result of illness or other unavoidable cir
cumstances at home.
To such teachers, the summer school comes
on an hourly basis. For instance, in the Col
lege of the City of New York, which is a
municipality supported institution, the profes-
sor who elects to teach during the summer ses-
sion is paid according to his salary during the
regular term. If he is So, 900 man, he is paid
at an hourly rate Of one one-thousandth of his
salary, or So an hour for the time actually
spent in teaching. This has been found to be
an economical and altogether satisfactory way
of arranging payment for summer school work.
Among the students at the average summer
school there is democracy in evidence which
is not to be seen during the regular session.
The summer school knows neither cliques nor
fraternities, because it's official existence is not
long enough to encourage such things Six or
eight weeks courses enable the students to be-
come acquainted and that is about all. The
summer school has no athletics to interest the
student body. There are no track meets or
baseball matches between summer schools.
The "cheer leader" finds his occupation gone
in summer, for no school that speeiaizes in
summer sessions has so much as q single
"yell.'
Socially the summer students find little 60
ing on. There may be a picnic or two or a
boat ride or something of the sort before the
session ends, but in social way the student
is thrown his own resources. Considering
the fact that the average student takes a
pretty well filled program there is little time
for social affairs, any way.
In spite Of the limited social opportunities
romance often develops in summer schools.
When so many young and women meet
acquaintance are made which afterward ter
inmate in marriage. Many a school teacher
IN New York has received announcements of
matrimonial affairs which began during the
summer sessions. A youth from the Middle
West, who is taking whole alphabetical list
Of things, beginning with architecture, meets
Southern girl who is specializing in psycho1-
ogy, and perhaps they come to the session next
year man and wife.
There is no telling from looking over the
student body just what studies are being tax
en- by individuals. The sober-faced, gray
haired man from Idaho whose strong, brown
hands tell of hard toll outdoors may be study
ing photoplay writing and the essentials of
dramatic composition. The "happer" from
Minneapolis may be brushing up bit in
archaeology
Most OF those who attend summer school are
paying Iielr own way, winch may have much
to do with the general disinclination to take
up frivols of any sort. The teachers who are
taking educational courses with view to fit
ting themselves for higher salaried positions
have given up their vacation weeks and are
spending the money that other teachers de-
vote to travel. Consequently they make every
dollar count. They might be doing the Yellow
stone or the battlefelds of France, but instead
they have elected to take hard drill for six
or eight weeks during the summer. Their con-
ISOLATION IS that they probably will step into
better jobs as the result Of their work. while
the teachers who have chosen to spend the
summer IN vacation pleasures will go right
along at the same old pay. 1t is the old story
OF the grasshopper and the ant again.
Summer school teachers sometimes find.
like the teachers in night school-that they can
learn good deal from their pupils AS in the
case of night school pupils, it often happens
that students at summer school are individuals
of wide practical experience They have been
employed for yeans, perhaps, or may be the
heads of firms
Il remember a plainly dressed man from
Oklahoma" said New York summer school
teacher He was studying history-iust an