The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-05-23


the Elementary school supplied; third,
financing, Federal funds are used for
this purpose, there is no cost to the
county; and fourth, teacher with
special training. All these things fall
ing into line the room was organized
at the beginning of the fall term.
Many Of the children entered were
handicapped by physical ailments, so
the Oakland Civic cub offered their
cooperation to aid in any way pos
sible. 1t was found that a number Of
the children were undernourished,
some were coming to school without
lunches, and others had too far to
walk if they went home for their
lunch, especially in severe weather.
The Civic club therefore financed hot
lunches. The Red Cross paid for
glasses, dental work, tonsillectomies,
medicine and clothing and the teacher
did the rest.
This is now happy group of chill
dren. They have improved socially,
physically and mentally. Individual
attention, understanding, tools for
work with their hands, and being
taught things they can do, has given
them assurance and self confidence
They like school and feel that now they
have their place in the sun. This room
is only the beginning, but it is a bic
stride in the right direction to make
children happy and useful and such
children are nE delinquent.
The boy who has quit school at 10
years because he is then exempt. is
at loose ends unless he will enter the
CCC camp at II years, or secure odd
Jobs. He cannot work in the mines or
manufacturing plants until he is 18.
and the NYA is not available to him
until he reaches the same age. MANY
of these boys are not willing to enroll
for the CCC camps, they are thus at
the most restless and active period of
their lives without objective, and
trouble is usually the consequence.
Here is an instance of the way this
type OF delinquency works, has been
working, and will continue to work I'M
less something is done about it. A
boy we will call Dick, because that is
not his name, has poor home where
ever the family can find lodging. There
are several brothers and sisters, the
father is a laborer often without work,
but with strong convictions of the
revolutionary or communistic tvpe:
the mother is a poor housekeeper and
manager, with very little to manage.
Dick is a healthy young fellow who
often has been in need of warm cloth
ing. He did not like school and his
work was poor, his grades were C and
d. He was absent about a sixth of the
time and was frequently tardy. He
was always looking for a chance to
make few pennies but was not a
thorough worker. He was carried
through the grades not on merit but
because of his age, he quit before com
pletmg the seventh grade having very
little to show for 10 school years.
After leaving school, he could not find
odd jobs to keep him busy or furnish
the money he wanted. He and another
boy were arrested for stealing.
Dick is not basically a bad boy. he
is energetic and has an engaging and
polite way with him, he is also rough
and tumble and hard as nails. but with
the proper guidance and responsibility
it is possible that he could develop in
to useful citizen.
Another type of delinquent is the
boy who is capable in his school work.
has good attendance, is not a school
behavior problem, he is liked bv his
school companions, and yet this boy
has been arrested for stealing and has
been before the magistrate for minor
otfenses. His parents have very little
II any control over him. He roams
the streets at night foregathering
with other boys and getting into
trouble. This boy has no RESPONSE
blllties, he is active mentally and
physically and like most boys he seeks
a thrill to living but has found no
legitimate way to satisfy his craving.
Vacation will soon be here, there IS
nothing of especial interest for these
boys to look forward, life seems drab
and stagnant, they say there IS moth
ing to do, and so they are going to
make an interest to suit themselves
unless some one makes it for them.
We have no playground equipment
although there is ample playground
space and two athletic fields. Except
for the Boy Scouts and Boys Band
there is no organization in which these
restless spirits and active bodies can
find satisfaction.