The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1878-06-27
CONTINUANCE IN SCHOOL
TEACHERS AND SALARIES.

On total enrolment .......... S. 40
On average number belonging ......... s 81
On.average daily attendance $50. -. IL
The number of persons in the district be-
tween five AMI twenty-one years of age is ac-
cording to the school census taken in August,
1871. There are many reasons for believing
that this number $50 is far too small, Many
families who really belong here were visiting
out of the city at that time, ard many new
families have become residents since. Mr..
Emmert in eanyassiug recently for his direc-
tory, finds l,2i3 persons of the age
indicated besides our enrolment for the year,
ST., and that, too, after excluding the most
numerous age, would indicate a school pepu-
iation equal to that found by Mr.. Emmert. So
that excluding those between five and six, as
the board has already done, we stu have as
many as one thousand children to provide
with school accommodations.
In the three buildings owned by the board
are but eight ROOMS for the seating of pupils.
These eight rooms, according to the best edu-
caional and medical authorities afford room
for about 400 pupils, and no more. Conclus-
ion-more room is needed.
Our schools opened in September with two
rooms, two te achers, and about two hundred
pupils more than during the previous year.
To obyiate somewhat the crowded condition,
the board rented building in the south part
of the city from W. c. West, employed an
other teacher, and started another school on
the Doth OF November The stu alton of this
school proved somewhat unfortunate for the
reason that large majority of the pupils re-
quired to be sent there resided on the north
side of Douglas avenue, and much near err the
old school building. This condition OF affairs
should be provided against for the next year
If possible.
At the time OF the starting of the above
mentioned school the board also employed
Miss Matte Foot as half day assistance in
the principals department; thus allowing me
to dev ote the afternoons exclusively to the
work OF general supervision.
The plan of work which has been adopted
provides eight grades or classes of the COM
mon school course. The branches included
in this course are: reading, spelling, writing,
arlthme tic, geography, English grammar and
United States history, with occasional oral
lessons in the elements OF vocal music, draw
ing, physiology, and natural science.
The work OF each grade is SO adjusted that
it can be accomplished in one year by pupils
of average ability.
Our high school class has studied during
the year past algebra. composition, rhetoric,
civil government, bookkeeping aud English
history.
Our schools moved on without interruption
from time of opening with more than ordina-
ny heathfpness on the part Of the pupils, wi tn
full, and at .Imes crowded attendance, until
within three weeks of the end OF the term
proper, when, on account of the prevalence
OF the small pox, and by direction of the CITY
authorities, we closed on Friday, the 18th of
May.
This sudden closing, of course, interrupted
the work OF examination, and the promotion
Of those pupils who had successfully accom-
plished the work OF their respective grades.
Yet, by consultation with the teachers and by
the aid of the records of examinations already
made have been able TO classify distinctly
each OF the 493 pupils remaining in school at
the end OF closinging, promoting those who
have finished the work Indicated satisfactorily
and leaving the others to ''try again" Also,
many who remained in school Till near the
END, and whose work was OF satisfactory
character have been advanced and the rec
ords marked accordingly. So that, notwitb-
standing the abrupt closing, the work organ
izing for the next year will be comparatively
easv.
The tables speak for themselves, and should
be carefully examined.
ResaecifulIy submitted,
20. f. MCKM, Superintendent.
Wichita, June o. 1873.