The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-09-24
CHANGE IN THE ScHooLs.-It will

OHANGE In The OCHOOLo.-ll Will
be seen by the following communica-
ton from the Superintendent of the
City Schools that it has been decided
to divide the Primary department
into two divisions, and hold halliday
sessions for each This change has
been determined upon as a matter of
necessity, owing to the crowded con-
dition of the Schools, and we are
satisfied that every parent will ap-
prove of it under the circumstances.
When the new school house on Ninth
Street is completed, it is expected
there will be sufficient accommoda-
tons to provide for all The follow
ing report of Prof. Cow viii fully
explain the change:
TO the Board of Trustees of the Public
Schools: a @
GENTLEMEN = The City Schools
were opened for the reception of
pupils ON Monday, the 9th inst. On
Tuesday evening following a Teach
ers' Meeting was held and a report
made me of the number of pupils en-
rolled and the number of desks pro-
vided for their use. The aggregate
number of pupils reported was 2,268,
and the number of desks for their ac-
commodation was 1919. leaving 449-
unprovided with suitable desks, and
compelled to sit upon benches, teach
ers' platforms and other unsuitable
seats. Since the above enumeration
the number of pupils has in
creased largely, without any increase
of school room accommodations. Of
the above aggregate, there were in
the twelve Primary schools 1850
children, accommodated with 92O
desks; leaving 440 to be seated as
best they may on the platforms and
benches Several rooms con-
tain as many as $50 children, and the
average number to each room is 113.
These facts were presented to the
Teachers at their second meeting,
when after considerable discussion, it
was unanimously agreed that report
should be made to the Board of
Trustees, stating the facts, and re-
questipg. as temporary expedient to
relieve the primary schools until the
new school house shall furnish better
accommodations; that the pupils be
divided as nearly as possible, and one
half taught in the forenoon and the
other in the afternoon, each day.
The teachers are emboldened to
make this request from several con-
siderations: ls-. The health of the
children and their comfort demand
that they shall not be so crowded in
90 fol L.
of ventilation.
I'd. Teachers cannot give suitable
instruction under such circumstances
They can neither teach we'll nor gov
ern properly, and therefore most of
the time of the pupils is wasted.
Sd. The proposed change is not a
new experiment. In other cities, as
Chicago, Indianapolis, Terre Haute,
&C., where population has increased
more rapidly than school accommoda-
tons. the plan has been tried with the
most satisfactory results.
Feeling. then, that every considera-
ton of health, comfort and true econ
omy demands the change, respect
fully present the wishes Of the teach
ers, with my decided approval.
Respectfully yours,
ALEX. Nj. Cow, Superintendent.
The above report was submitted to
meeting of the Board of Trustees on
Saturday, the 21st, when, after due
consideration, it was unanimously
agreed, that as temporary expedient
to obviate the difficulties complained
of, the Primary Schools should be d.
vided as was suggested, and the Su-
perintendent was instructed to put
the plan in operation at the earliest
practicable moment.
Parents and others interested will
please. take notice that this arrange
ment will be carried into operation
OF Thursday the 18th inst, and that
the proposed change only affects the
Primary Schools.
ALEX. M. Cow. Sup.t.