Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-12-11

With regard 10 the school houses, Mr..
Freese said they are not well adapted to the
best classification Of pupils, being too small,
and it is a serious hindrance to the success
full operation of our system Of Instruction.
Mr.. Freese presented a number of facts con-
nected with this matter, and suggested such
measures of improvement as he regarded
necessary. This portion Of his report is too
voluninous for our columns.
In relation TO drawing in the schools the
Superintendent presented some gloomy
facts. Two years ago the Board, by resolu-
ton, dispensed with the special teacher in
this branch, as also the special teacher in
Music. In the former brauch Mr.. Freese
says the pupils of the present do not com
pare with those of two years ago.
Beyond few schools, there is little or no
interest felt in the subject either by teachers
or pupils. As an evidence OF this, be said
that Though some seven hundred pupils were
asked to make drawings Of their homes du-
ring the summer vacation, and hand them
to their teachers at the opening Of the next
Orm, less than a dozen specimens were pre-
sented, and those were without merit; where
as, if a similar request had been made three,
five, or seven years ago, hundreds Of draw
ines would have come in, and many Of them
would have been fit for the block Of tho en-
grayer-
With regard to Music, he said be had in
stituted no means Of ascertaining at the
close of the year how much the pupils knew
of this branch While it is probable that
the schools have suffered some loss in this
department, the fact that many pupils Of the
schools take private lessons, that the Sabbath
Schools have made singing prominent for
the past few years, and that instruction has
been given in many Of the schools by com
petent persons paid by private contributions,
has much atonsd for the absence Of special
teacher, and the serious consequences result
ing from the loss Of such teacher have not
been so palpable as in the department Of
drawing.
One year ago the special teacher in Pen
manship was dispensed with, but as the
present plan Of teaching had only been pur-
sued for a year, be would not now venture
an opinion upon its practical operation. The
copy-books now in use, r. P. Spencer's,
have given general satisfaction.
Mr.. Freese said that in providing for the
education Of the children Of the city, we
should never lose sight Of the fact that few
will ever reach the senior departments, and
therefore no pains or expense should be
spared to render instruction as thorough and
efficient in the lower grades as possible, where
the masses attend, and where most Of them
tnish their education. There Delng only
quorum present, the report was laid on the
table till the next meeting.
Mr.. Jones, Jr., requested that his daughter
Kitty be permitted to leave school ct recess
on Thursdays to attend to drawing lessons =
| Granted. .as
DIR. Reese moved that the Committee on
| Buildings and Supplies be required TO visit
| BroWnell Street School and report on the
condition of the building.
esMr. Ingersoll moved that the principals
I Of each one Of the schools be required 20 re-
port the number Of foreign pupils in attend
ance at their various schools during the pres
ent term, and whether they have paid their
/ tuition. Adopted.
Mr.. Ingersoll moved that the Secretary
be instructed to notify the Principals Of the
resolution. Adopted.
Elizabeth Breeze was granted permission
/ TO be absent from the st. Clair School from
to 10 o'clock Tuesday and Friday mornings
/ to take music lessons. Adjourned.