Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Schools of the City of Boston (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1919. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX I. REPORT OF ACTING DIRECTOR JAMES T. MULROY, EXTENDED USE OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Mr. Frank V. Thompson, Superintendent oj Public Schools, Boston, Mass.: Dear Sir, --Delayed much beyond the usual time of reopening by the influenza-pneumonia epidemic and further handicapped by the fear of indoor gatherings that gripped the citizens of Boston for some tune after real danger of contagion had passed, the school centers were very late in getting under way. Not only have the centers survived the war, but what is more surprising, they show a big jump in attendance figures for the past year. The total attendance for the year is much greater than ever; each center shows a large increase; in fact one of the smallest centers actually doubled its attendance. Realizing in the fall that practically all of the clubs and groups of young men and young women had disintegrated during last season, owing to the call to arms on the part of the former and to the entry of the latter into war industries of various kinds, with consequent long hours and night work, it became at once apparent that if the centers were to be of the fullest service our efforts would have to be concentrated on patriotic meetings and other hall programs, on men's gatherings, women's clubs, and on work for boys and girls. The early part of the season, then, was spent on building up these particular features of our school centers and with most satisfactory results, as may be gleaned from the following. Frequent, enthusiastic, patriotic rallies in aid of the Victory Loan and United War Work campaigns were held in all the centers, doing much to stimulate and promote these urgent appeals for funds. Large audiences signed pledge cards for goodly amounts and in so doing contributed greatly toward putting these...