Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-01-20


1t may not be out of place for me
to make few observations on the
accompanying statistical report
which | herewith present.
1t will be observed that the
school opened Sept. LIST, and con-
tinued 10 weeks. During this time
there was one holiday, Thanksgiv-
ing, and one visiting day, which
was taken by all but the teachers
of the Grammar School, hence, the
actual number of days taught in
each of the schools except the
Grammer School was 70, and in the
Grammar School 10.
The whole number of pupils en-
rolled in all the public schools dur
ing the term, was 512. Deducting
ten who were enrolled twice, and
we find the whole number of pu-
pills enrolled was 502. OF these
5l2, go were boys, and 242 were
girls. The attendance was very
regular, and the per centage of at
tendance on the average number
belonging, compares well with our
best schools, and is much higher
than many. II is especially crati-
flying, as it is several per cent. high
or than it was two years ago. But
the greatest change is noticeable in
the subject of Hardness. In the
early part of year before last, we
had as many as thirty late on an
average each day, in all the schools
and it seemed an extremely diff
cult task to make the pupils under
stand that there is very seldom any
excuse for pupil coming into
school late. But now, although the
schools are nearly twice as large
we have only about one-tenth as
many cases Of tardincss. The
number during the last term fo1
each half day, was only 1921 in all
the schools Of the city.
BY a comparison Of reports il
may be observed that our school:
have made a commendable growth
during the past two and hal
years. --a.a I'd
At the end of the school year O!
1901, the school closed with
about 10 belonging. At the enc
of The next year, although the
Catholic branch had been with.
drawn during that time, the yeai
closed with something over 260 be.
longing, while last year, although
the year was very adverse, fret OF
account Of measles, aud then small.
pox, il closed with 2S7 belonging
During this time il has been found
necessary to open two new rooms
one in the central building, and one
at Campbellville. During the frs
year,-year before last,-the whole
number enrolled at Campbellvillt
was 10, and the average attendance
between thirteen and fourteen
The whole number enrolled in thai
school last term was thirty-seven
The examination at the close o
last term showed q very commend
able advancement, and were il
every respect satisfactory, except
in the case of the beginning class
This class, instead /, Of using tho
Word Method, as the other Primar,
schools do, used the primer, ant
worked according 10 the old styl,
of learning the letters first, ant
then spelling out Zach word. AL
though | believe they had just n
fair a chance in every other respect
yet, 4 do11ot think, that in respec
to reading, they learned any NOR,
than one-tentli a. much as wa.
learned by classes studying Tia,
Word Method the same length o.
time. And further, what was learn.
ed by the Word Method, pupil,
was learned IN a much superior
manner, for if they know word al
all, they know it sc once, without
spelling It. by its looks on counicn.