Evening star., 1943-11-04
Christmas Vacations
In Schools Will Be
Extended -Four Days
Action Taken to Save Fue
And Allow Students to
Work on Postal Jobs

Inc Christmas vacation OF the
District public schools has been ex-
tended four days, December 18-
January z, inclusive, to permit
students 10 work at the postomce
and to save fuel in school buildings
The Easter vacation has been
shortened from eight days to four to
make up the lost time. In addi-
ton the length Of the official FIRST
semester was extended four days
into the second" semester to make
up for two days lost previously dur
ing rationing registration.
The children are in school for a
purpose" Vice President Robert A.
Maurer Of the Board of Education
declared yesterday when the board
changed the vacations We must
protect their education The
change is only an emergency mea-
sure, he emphasized
PostOffice Calls 1900.
Postmaster Vincent A. Burke has
asked for 1900 students. 900 boys
and 300 girls. TO work in the city
postoffice December l8 to December
"a Normally, vacations would not
begin until December % Mr.. Burke
has promised to watch students
working conditions carefully, par
ticularly those Of girls.
Department stores and other pri-
vate industries with heavy Christ
mas business are also expected to
avail themselves of the labor sup
ply afforded by the Districts thou
sands of school children. Young
sters IA and over can be employed
under conditions stipulated by law.
At the same time the board de-
cided to close schools Armistice
Day, November II. but to open them
the next day, Friday November IL.
Teacher Complaints Aired.
Complaints Of teachers against
cutting the Easter vacation were re-
ported to the board by Mrs. Velma
G. Williams chairman of the stu
dent activities committee, during
the discussion.
They say they are particularly
tired at that time and need their
normal vacation she said.
c. Melvin Sharpe, member of the
board. objected to this reasoning on
the ground that everybody is tired
now and no one class of employees
should receive any more considera-
ton than others.
We could all use a rest" he said,
but We won't get it till the war is
over"
High school students in good
scholastic standing may be excused
by principals to take Christmas Jobs
as early as December 10. it has been
announced by DR.. Chester w.
Holmes, assistant superintendent OF
schools.
Letterheads to Remain.
The board also refused to comply
with the Commissioners request to
eliminate elaborate letterheads. on
the ground that paper saved is
negligible" and "'discontent" would
be caused among school officers.
The decision was made after one
of the longest considerations in re-
cent board history and was passed
by only five of the nine members
One voted against it, and two wished
to be recorded as not voting The
presiding officer did not vote.
DR.. James A. Cannon proposed to
the board that more strict action
should be taken against students
joining, unauthorized fraternities
and sororities. At present such STU
dents are barred from all extra =
curricular activities. DR.. Cannon
believes that those over Is. who can
legally be expelled from school
should be dismissed in case of per-
slstent membership in an unauthor-
lied fraternity or sorority.