Evening star., 1934-04-28
NURSERY SCHOOL
FUND IS SOUGHT
Group Will Ask Aid Through
D. c. Appropriation
Measure.

Elimination Of the clause in the
District appropriation bill forbidding
the use of any public school funds for
teaching children under will be
sought by group Of interested
persons who are organizing in support
of the 10 nursery school centers estab-
lished here with the aid of Emergency
Relief funds.
The possible shutdown Of the
nursery schools after May Is unless
the School Board and District Com
missioners submit definite plans for
a Summer program for children Of
pre-school age forced the group to
declare its intention of seeking relief
from the Senate appropriations sub
committee in charge of the District
supply bill. Robert L. Haycock, as
sistant superintendent of schools, and
others stressed the need of some such
action at a meeting of interested
persons and officials yesterday at the
Y. w. c. A.
DR.. George D. Stoddard of the
emergency education division of the
lined the nursery school program for
1884. and pointed out that lack Of
adequate funds will necessitate a
sharp curtailment of such relief activi-
ties. The meeting was presided over
by Wilmot R. Jones, associate prin-
cipal of the Friends School.
Campaign Proposed.
Mrs. Harvey w. Wiley suggested
that the group begin at once to con-
duct a campaign against the clause
in the District supply measure which
Mr.. Haycock had explained makes it
impossible for the Board of Educa-
ton to use District funds for nursery
school purposes He said he hoped
the situation would be cleared in time
to take care of necessary centers
during the coming year.
Those who spoke on the needs Of
such care and training for children
of pre-School age included Miss Adelia
M. Boynton of the National Child Re-
search Center; DR.. Ellis M Open
heimer Of the United States Children's
Bureau; Mrs. Mary F. c. Leute,
Child Welfare Committee, Washington
Council of Social Agencies and Mrs.
Robert F. Whitehead of the George
town Children's Home. Others who
spoke were Miss Emma S. Jacobs, di-
rector of domestic sciences in the
public schools; Miss Sibyl Baker,
supervisor Of District Fairgrounds and
Mrs. Benjamin Wood Of the District
Of Columbia Congress Of Parent
Teachers.
Mr.. Haycock described the diff
culties the School Board encountered
in providing equipment for the emer-
gency relief nursery schools estab-
lished as part of the Governments
program for hiring unemployed
teachers. When the board requested
equipment, he said the Commissioners
had questioned the use of Civil Works
funds for that purpose. The question
is not now settled, he explained. He
expressed the hope it would be cleared,
however, in time to use funds this
Summer under the emergency works
set-up.
Equipment Supplied.
The Associated Charities had sup
piled some Of the cots for the nursery
schools, he said; the Emergency Re
lief Administration had furnished
other cots and blankets and additional
equipment not in use had been found
in local school buildings to help out a
trying situation.
With the pay Of professional aides
employed in the nursery schools re-
duced one-half, Miss Jacobs said that
the centers are being kept open six
hours day through the volunteer CO.
operation of the workers. Each CEN
ter has trained nurse, teacher and a
dietician.
The fact that there are more than
300 children under 5 years of age
whose parents are on District relief
rolls was stressed to indicate the
urgent need for continuing the nurs-
cry schools. Others pointed out with
equal emphasis that every child Of
pre-school age should have the ad-
vantages that the nursery schools Of
fer. 1t was one of the rights Of
childhood, they contended.