Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-15
The Public Sf.hools

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
A meeting OF the BOard Of School Trustsss
was held last evening-Mr. Richards in the
chair, and MIR. Alice acting as secretary-.he
following trustees being present: Messrs Allan,
Roeser, Wilson, Wolf, woodwa&. aud Wright.
Superintendent Wilson presented applications
FOR teachers positions from Charles Noonan, NJ.
y. Adams, and Miss s. L. Tyler, of Washington /;
Emma l.. Edison, of Aurora, Mimi; a. f. will
lans, of Newburyport, Mass; and Mary $.
Eaton, of Palmyra, y. Y; referred.
The superintendent submitted letter from
Mr.. III. Z. Spencer, of the Washington Business
College, Offering the same prizes As last year,
viz: Two business course scholarships for one
year and six three months penmsnship courses
for grammar schools; six three months penman-
ship and eighteen one months penmanship for
intermediate schools.
MIR. Wilson offered a resolution accepting the
offer Of Mr.. Spencer and rendering the thanks
Oh the board. The subject was referred to the
committee on examinations and prizes
Mr.. DERRICK, from the committee on teachers,
reported that the semi annual examination tor
teachers certificates WAS held June 18th, and OF
me IL candidates present, Kate I. Brown and
Susan G.. Hickey obtained intermediate certif-
Gates, and Virginia GIddings, Maggie q. Walsh,
and Clara l.. Wilson secondary certificates; re
port adopted.
Mr.. Hart, from the committee on accounts.
reported number OF bills, aggregatin over
81 goo, which were approved.
EXAMINATIONS AND PRIZES.
Mr.. French, from the committee on examina-
ton and prizes, Submitted a report for the year;
which was referred to the committee on annua Al
report The report concludes as follows:
&" our committee takes pleasure in calling
attention to the fact that tue special exam ma.
tons Of the past year, when compared with the
previous one, show a marked Improvement.
The report of the examination for the Ken
dali and King schOlai ships shows generally a
higher standard Of scholarships than has been
attained heretofore. An inspection of the re-
port OF the examiners would seem to indicate
that arithmetic is not taught so successfully as
other studies. The tabular statement will sh DIV
the per cent. in the different studies. Penmal-
ship stands at the head of the list. In the COM
petitlve examination for grammar il VIII be
observed that the girls attained higher aver
age than the bOyP, while the competitive exam
ination for arithmetic shows exactly the reverse.
Botn sexes stand better in grammar than N
arithmetic The spelling contests indicate a
higher degree OF proficiency than for any for
The rule Of the board prohibiting special
preparation. and giving extra time aud atten-
ton to few pupils was better observed by the
teachers than it has been for years, and this
fact makes the results above given all the mo re
satisfactory. The prizes, we believe, were
awarded In strict accordance with merit. The
prizes offered by the board not only incite pu-
pills to greater exertions, but also impel teach
ers to discover and apply the best methods Of
teaching in order to produce the best results.
For the first time drawing was Systematically
taught in the schools, and the examination and
exhibition OF that study at the close OF the year
was highly satisfactory, and one of the most
pleasing features of our closing exercises; for a
detailed statement, we refer to the report of the
committee o. drawing and pennanship.
In conclusion, your committee tender ac-
acknowledgements to the gentlemen who rem
dered able assistance in conducting the special
examinations
Mr.. Mcclellan, from the committee on music
reported that the profits from the concerts will
amount to about $500. The formal report was
not ready.
Mr.. French presented the designations of
Misses Jennie Tew and Lizzie +. s. Clarke,
teachers of the sd district.
PROPOSED CONFERENCE WITH THE DISTRICT
COMMISSIONERS.
MIR. Mcclellan offered the following preamble
and resolutions:
Whereas by virtue OF an act of Congress the
government of the District of Columbia has
been vested in three Commissioners, who have
recently entered upon the discharge of their
duties; and
Whereas said Commissioners have not vet
made known what changes, If any, they I1ay
make In the management of the public schools
Therefore, be it
Resolred, That this board deems it proper to
OF the schools during the next school year until
the Commissioners shall have had an oppOrtu-
nifty of expressing their views.
RcSOtred, That select committee of nine
consisting of two members from each district
with the president as chairman, be appointed
by the chair to wait upon the Commissioners of
the District Of Columbia, in order TO receive
such communications as they may feel disposed
10 make, and give such information as they nav
require; and that this board do now adjourn
subject to the call of the committee.
The resolutions were adopted, and the chair
announced the following as the committee
Hessrs. Harris, Roeser, Wolf, Mcclellan, Allan,
NarChe, Wilson and Lloyd.
Adjourned, subject to the call Of the special
COMMITTEES.