New Britain herald., 1926-12-11
MORE INTEREST IN
 EVENING SCHOOLS
J. E. 0'Brien Files Report With
 Dept. of Education

An increase in the enrolment of
 the evening school Is 53 and the av-
 craze increase Tn attendance is 57,
 according to figures released by
 Americanization Director James D,
 O'Brien. The total number of adults
 attending the foreign adult class in
 1925 was 6-4 with an average att
 tendance of 447.s-. This year the av. craze attendance is 614 with 474.S9 as an average attendance.
 In the elementary grades the total
 was 140, and 107.21 as an average last year. This year the enrolment is S07 with 611.64 as average at- tendance.
 The following report was made to the school board yesterday by James OBrien, Americanization director:
 T respectfully submit the report Of the Americanization department and the evening schools for the months of September and October.
 The evening schools opened Mon- day. September 20. at the following schols: For adult foreign classes, the Washington, Nathan Hale and Gen. tral Junior high schools; for ele. mentary grades or continuation schools, the Central Junior high school. Thirty teachers and three principals are employed three nights each week.
 "The total enrolment for Septem- Der in the foreign adult classes was 6l4. and the average attendance was 475. The total enrolment for the continuation classes was 193 and the average attendance was 1S7. This is somewhat in excess of the enrou- ment and average attendance of 1925 as will be noted by the follow ing comparative figures.
 The usual methods employed in the past for recruiting pupils were again used this year, with very few changes. The Nathan Hale Junior High school was :, ied as an evening school for the first time. The en- 'ollment in this school is somewhat disappointing in comparison with hat of the Elihu Burritt in former 'ears; howeve the average attend- lnce of those enrolled compares very avorably with that of former years. The Washington school shows an in- 'rease in enrolment, also in average attendance. A slight increase both Il enrolment and average attend lnce in the foreign adult and ele- nentary classes is noted at the Gen. ral Juni High school.
 Social evenings are held every wo weeks in each evening school. The attendance and enthusiasm and general good results this year are cry encouraging. Each evening chool is organized on a democratic 'asis to cooperate with the prin- ipal in charge. A student council n activities, comprising one dele ate from each class, meets with ach principal to formulate and de- ise entertainment features for so- ial nights. In this way much real alent is discovered and the pupils eel that fey have 8 real part in he program. In the Central Junior Ivening school, musician of note, violinist, could easily grace the oncert stag as an artistic perform r. He Is university graduate from Europe and lacks only knowledge f the Fnglis language and the cus- oms of our country. Several fine fingers have also been found who reely and enthusiastically lend their llents in making these socials uccess.
 At the Washington school an or hestra. organized from present and ormer students furnishes music at heir social evenings. The Nathan Hale school also has its quota of llent, taken from the student body. his school features community inging. Supervised dancing and ames are held in all schools, but lon to dancing and games, musical ntertainment, etc.. moving pictures re shown.
 During September Al men and 'omen were given aid in filling out he necessary forms for first and sec- nd papers. In many cases letters ere written to steamship agencies ) discover facts which applicants 'ould not recall. With the new nd varying forms now used by the apartment, 1t requires from 45 linutes to one hour to fill out com- letely, first or second paper form. epending upon the intelligence of 1e applicant and the availability of lcts. Twenty-nine persons were lven aid in immigration matters. he new immigration laws produce any complications which require dvlce and aid. Possibly one hun red persons called at the bureau 'eking the advice on immigration atters. of whom no record is kept. nd to whom the advice may be mely and valuable saving the ex- enditure of money in futile at- mpts to evade the laws. Prepara- on of affidavits. letters to various apartments of the government. onsuls abroad, etc. are all daily oc- lrrences at the office of the department. Sev- al young foreigners were assisted securing employment, and one as given advice on a legal matter.
 "The total registration in all 'ening schools, including the ementary grade classes for the onth of October was ss3 and the ferage attendance was 55S. This
 slightly in excess Of the record of ,25. Tn the Americanization bureau. were given aid in naturalization, on immigration matters, 2 were ven assistance in gaining employ ent. and were given legal advice.
 Respectfully submitted,
 JAMES E. O'BRIEN."