Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-05-01
COVINGTON NEWS.

CONDITION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOoLs---RE-
PORT OF PROFESSOR DRURY.-The following
report from Prof. Drury, Principal of the City
Free Schools, was presented to the School
Board at its last session:
To The Board of Trustees ofthe Public Schools:
Since my last Report | have devoted at
least one half day to each of the twenty de-
partments of our Public Schools; in many
instances conducting the recitations myself
and in others assisting the teacher, by advice
OF suggestions, as | thought most conducive
to the general interests of the scholars. L
have met with cordial welcome, and hearty
co. operation on the part of all the teachers,
from the highest to the lowest grade. There
is, at the present time, noble desire on the
part of all the teachers, to advance their pu-
pills, and to fix permanently in their minds
the principles of the branches pursued.
The plan for division of labor and fasten-
ing responsibility, is working admirably.
None of the studies required in our schools
are neglected. Orthography, reading, compo-
sition, geography English grammar, and mem
tai and practical arithmetic, are, so far as
have been able to discover, receiving close
share of attention. For uniform good con-
duct, must award the palm to the Third
District The best class in practical arith-
matte is in the First District in the Second,
Fourth Fifth and Sixth Districts | have
the First only in readiness any and every
question appertaining to the subject.
In all the schools the progress in English
| grammar has been satisfactory. The recent
change in the mental arithmetic prevents q
report at the present time. The best readers
| have found in the Second and Fourth Dis
tricts. have never seen the public schools
| in so prosperous state as at present. 7f
The High School is quietly and success.
fully prosecuting the course of studies pre-
| scribed by the Board. laLltE
| There have been enrolled in the schools
during the present quarter, ,430 pupils-l3g
| less than during the previous one.
The schools have two difficulties to con.
tend with at present. The first is providen
tial, and we trust, temporary-viz: sicknes:
! in the form of measles, which prevails ex'
tensively among the pupils. The SECOND
seems to be inherent, but we hope not per
manent-viz: indifference on the part o
parents. Teachers find it impossible to en-
force punctual attendance. Children arr
kept at home for the most trivial causes, fol
which the most trifing excuses are furnished
| Must we infer from this that parents do no
wish to educate their children2 We thinl
not
But we do Judge from their conduct tina
they are unwilling to submit to the leas
selt-dcnial to secure punctual and regula
attendance or the means necessary for thei
education. They can not be made to fee
that the absence of two or three parts of day
each week as an evil which teachers can no
repair. This single evil has caused me per
sonally more trouble during my seven years
connection with the public schools, than al
other evils. | can never feel confident tina
| am essentially benefiting our irregula
pupils. In this am confident that speal
the feelings of all the teachers in this city.
Respectfully,
April "a, 1860.
LAW LIBRARY.--A meeting of the Boar
of Directors of the Covington Law Librar
was held yesterday at the office of NJ. NJ
Benton, Esq and code of bylaws enacted
The following are the officers of the associa
ton; NJ. NJ. Benton, President John Menzie'
Vice-President j.. NJ. Kennedy. Secretary
NJ. ]. Dudley, Librarian, and j. B. Casey
Treasurer. A number Of volumes have a
ready been purchased, and others will 500
be added. Shares are sold at $40 each, an
number have already been taken. ~ 81