New Britain herald., 1923-12-15
Americanization Director Ascribes Interest in the Evening Schools to a Higher Quality in New corners.

Americanization Director James F. OBrien in his annual report, just completed. attributes the increased interest and attendance in evening schools to the fact that more Cdu- cated class of immigrants is coming to New Britain, that there is a well trained group of instructors, that there are few out of work giving the foreigner a better mental attitude for his own advancement, and there is little night work 10 attract the stu dents from their studies. He makes several recommendations for the coming year. most important of which is drive to enroll women Of foreign birth in the evening classes,
 Director O'Brien's report follows:--
 A marked improvement in atten- dance at our evening schools is noted Nhis year as compared with recent gears. With the opening of the Barr .ett school on Noy5..~ef l2th the ,ctivc registration in Iue evening schools, not including the grade or continuation classes. now totals 720,-
 
 throughout thocntire state. d marked increase in evening school registra- ton is noted. For iis size and con- Sidcring the fact that only three schools are operated as evening schools New Britain ranks very high s'ateWisc. in the percentage of in crease in attendance. over that of last year. This increase may bc attribut- rd 70 several f,actors: first quoting "tonncCtiCut Schools thr Stat. Hoard Of Education publication. The figures presented by tho various towns and cities in the state, fur nishinS information regarding eve hing schools and classes for non Eng fish speaking adults, represent n- croasing power, particularly in the field Of alien education, The increase is largely due 10 the presence of pro- fcssional directors and the high per- ccntagc of experienced teachers. se- cond, a better class Of immigrant is coming to New Britain. men and wo- men who had some education in their homeland and are anxious 10 acquire our language; third, New Britain is more prosperous. very few being out of employment. thereby creating a better mental attitude on the part of the foreign born. towards their own improvement educationally they. be- coming as il were. more susceptible 10 thoadvice Of the Director of Ameri- canization. their own leaders pastors. etc, when they are urged to attend evening schools: fourth, night work in our local factories is not so pre- valrnt as was tho case in ie2a al- though several factories are al the present time working nights. materi. ally affecting our eycinng school at- tendance. Many Of our best students have withdrawn from school 10 take advantage Of the extra work which is offered 10 them.
 General scope Of the Work.
 As suggested in previous reports submitted 10 your committee. ihr function Of the AmericHnization be pertinent Is to bring tho foreign born and those who have left school pre- maturcly into contact with inc eye. ming school system 10 get inc foreign born and others who arc in need of Instruction into the evening schools and 10 hold them there. About two weeks prior iu Inc opening of thr oyr- hing schools each year vigorous Hd- i verifying campaign is carried on trough thu various points Of contact. To the manufacturers and merchants Of our city tho chamber of t'om- mcrce, thc Lions and Rotary clubs. ! several foreign organizations and publications, great deal of thanks I During inc past year. various speak . CTS on different phases Of Aufrrican- l ization. Naturalization and Immigra- lion have been brought to New Bri- |. ain. under tho auspices of local civic | clubs, uith much attendant publicity. 1. The interest of ti1e General rublic !. has been aroused and quickrned to- ward this work of adult education. ! Our ciltzcns have become better dis . posed towards the work Throughout fhr year thc director. in his duty contacts rtiih fhr foreign born. tn ihs home. iu factories through foreign societies and ciBbs. with local civic organizations. by personal bureau work, through the churches. ncws- | paper stories. etc. seeks 10 inspire induce and urge our foreign born residents and others 10 take advant- age of our free evening schools.
 Tn addition to fine field and ofricp work CT AmcricanizatiUn tit. Dirrc- for to souc rEfent has been Enfrusf- cd with tho direct supers1siOn of fho evening schools Visits 10 classes consultations with principals and teachers. co-opersfing Uhcrsver pos 7ib'' in ih. general organization and smooth op ration O. thr various schools. are g few CT fhe duties per- formed
 ''The general supervision of tha work or Afusrira niza tion and fha sfl- pervisiOn of fhe seeI.Hz schools. The fnploymrnt of teachers and u-iaci- pals tho con piisstiOn and recording of siAtisiieaE data. ftr. ia. aa forni,r- lr un1or the sgpeffnft nd nf Of q. .a00ls.
 Iacfotr atgisfic@
 "W1i.r mC ua ling go many prF- sDHsi t.s.s TO fi1o various factories as ir th. past sFue f8 The u-4ssBra uf "hsr important H H0ra -hss.h noe c.ssfat.d s mor. eousfanf attendance ~ ths offfcs. tfs sIirar-6r has bern in foDrh ufth fhs more fffso-'ar. eases which arc brourhf tt his a,- teniiOn by thosn men ahs are ap- pointed by fhe various factories Of inc city to cO-opcrate wifh hifn. This contact Of factory directors -eifh The ..s4.- df~srsf.r fs sr9f4Ftagsrs.4f ard rs4ass.-