Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-10-29

Average 81
The per cent. OF attendance last year. ss
t,.crease of ee11t------.-...... .-.. z
In. number OF cases Of tardiness, IN
all the schools, during the year, s5ss
The superintendent attributes the
decrease in the number enrolled to the
crowded condition of the school rooms
and the rigid exclusion of all non-res-
ident scholars. Some of the parents
declined to subject their children to
the supposed risk of loss of health,
and therefore either kept them at home
or sent them to private schools. Not
withstanding the decreased ENROLL
ment, the increase of average attend
ance is is. During the month of jan
uary the average daily attendance was
7l6, being 1Oa more than the general
averaLe of the year. Many of the
rooms were very much crowded dur.
ing the winter-sOme of them enroll
ing from 75 to so pupils, while only
from SO to 20 could be accommodated
with seats. The evil effects of this
overcrowding were soon manifested
The progress of the pupils was check
ed. A teacher cannot hear q recitation
of class of SO or 40 satisfactorily in
twenty minutes of time, and aside
from this, little or no personal stten-
tion could be given to pupils requiring
it. 1t had also an unfavorable infiu-
ence on the health of both pupils and
teachers. This crowded condition of
tho rooms compelled the Board to
adopt the plan of dividing the school
in two sections, one section attending
in the forenoon and the other in the
afternoon. This plan was followed for
five months, with reasonable success
The Superintendent remarks, ''Whilst
I am not prepared to advise the con-
tinuanee of this plan, as we expect the
coming year additional rooms, my
opinion is that the time is coming and
is not far OF, when the hours of attend
ance in the school room will be short
ened, without detriment to the prog
ress, and with great advantage to the
health of the pupils"
The average daily absence during
the year was so, which is less than the
average of the graded schools of Ohio,
but, in the opinion of Superintendent,
much too large. Much of this irreg-
ular attendance is u necessary, and
.oecasioned by thoughtlessness or care
lessness of the parents. The mischief
arising from irregular attendance and
tardiness is very great. The scholar
is absent one day. That day the class
has taken important steps-steps sbso
lutely necessary to future progress in
the branch of study. Thus the absent
pupil lags behind. Study becomes irk-
some and school distastefuI. If he does
not drop out of school entirely he be-
comes an idler In the school. 1.-THE
evil does not rest here. The morale OF
the school is injured. The idle child
does not rest until eompanionship in
idIeness is found" "Three thousand
five hundred and thirty -eight cases OF
tardiness during the year seem to be
large number. know that much of
this is wholly inexeusable." As a
remedy he recommends 1.-THE publica-
tion in the local papers of the monthly
report of each teacher, in order that
teachers, patrons and pupils may com
pare results
Speaking of buildings, he says: ''The
new school house in North Delaware
will be a timely addition to our school
facilities. In East Delaware a new
building is much needed. The one in
present use there is old and entirely
unsuitable for school purposes. A
neat house on the ground recently pur-
chased by the School Board will sup
ply the demand. hope, however, that
the Board will not stop even here.
In order to place our schools in posi-
ton for best results, the higher grades
ought to be brought together in one
good building. Short of this our
school facilities viii not be what they
ought to be, and what they are in many
places around us. I ask not extrava-
CANT expenditure, but neat, cheerful
and healthful school houses for the
children. The school life of the child
is about one-third of the average Of
human life, and is that part when care
is most needed. Let US give it all the
facilities of growth, physical as well
as mental. 'Ceiled' houses for resi-
dences are going up in all quarters Of
the town. Let us have one for the
children. Our colleges have invited
immigration. Let US make our Union
schools do the same"
The course of study for the District
and intermediate schools has been
carefully revised. The course of study
adopted from our High School Depart
ment will, he hopes, give it increased
efficiency.
We regret that the crowded state OF
ourpolumns prevent US giving the re-
port in full.