Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-12
Our Public Schools.

THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
The Jjoard Of Public School Trustees met last
evening A communication from r. E. Middle
ton, proposing to sell lot 20, square 2s4, for
school purposes, was referred. Applications for
teachers positions were received and referred
from Mary G. Rhoads, Lena L. Hill, Belle 5.
Annie =. Saunders, Mary J. Saunders E. v.
Chase, s. A. Somerville, g. Vashon and stella
Van Courtlandt. Applications for tanit2rs' 20
sitiOnS were received and referred from john Is.
Reardon, Josiah Gray ana VIM. Ktmball. The
resignation of Mary A. Coakley was presented
and accepted, to take eject from June seta.
April was presented, showing whole number OF
pupils-white Washington, II $50; Georgetown,
1895: county, 9O9. Colored, Washington, 5,s5e;
Teachers employ ed-White Schools, Washing
ton. 233; Georgetown, 26; county, %. Colofed
Schools Washington, 116; Georgetown, 10; coun-
Superintendent Wilson reported that the an
nual oral examinations OF the 5th 9th and 18th
grade schools had been held: LIS pupils In Sc
I02 In Is In eth, making a total Of 1876 In Il
classes; that the Sth grade examinations were
concluded May 10. there being SIS in II classes,
that the examination of the county schools
were completed in April, there being as schools:
pupils Oh the roll, S94 whites 1,a5S colOred and
numbers present-Sl4 white, 9G1 colored. The
sub-board of the fourth division reported the
following changes In that division: Promote
Elizabeth Riley from school l, grade 6. to school
/, grade 1; Annie Rowell school 3. grade q to
school 3, grade (vice Ellen E. Halliday. trans
ferred to school 3. grade 3, made vacant by the
resignation Of Edward Fl. Thompson); appoint
Elizabeth Bowen acting teacher OF school l,
grade 6. vice Miss Riley promoted, and Miss
Margaret Riley acting teacher of school 8, grade
2. vice Miss Rowel promoted; Referred. Au-
thOrtty was given for the purchase OF survey
ing Instruments fer the use OF the advanced
grammar schools for boys The special CON-
mittee on the subject made report recon-
mending that the committee on teachers exper-
iment with new record book for teachers.
The report was amended that the special CON-
1nittee be continued to test the experiment and
adopted.
THE PROPOSED sEAToE MONUMENT
Mr.. LOveJoy referred to an editorial In TEE
STAR proposing the erection Ct monument to
the memory of eX-Mayor Seaton, one of the
early friends OF popular educS ton in this Dis
trict, as deserving the commentator OF the
public. To carry out the suggestion, he offered
resolution, which was adopted, that 1.-The
present prosperous condition of the public
schools OF the District OF Columbia furnishes a
subject OF congratulatton to the friends OF edu-
cation at the capital; the past services of the
pioneers OF our system always deserve and de-
mand grateful recognition at the hands OF their
successors and the community" ''tnat the
memory and services or the late William W.
SeatOn. once mayor of Washington city, preSt-
dent OF it's board OF school trustees co-edltor OF
the N0HOa4G irtetttgeitcej', and an earnest ad-
VOcate OF Tree education, and especially deServ-
ing OF mere consideration than they have here
t0fofe received at the hands OF us, the remote
Ing efforts:' that committee OF seven be ap-
pointed TO take the necessary steps for securing
the erection o. monument over the grave OF
tne late William W. Seaton esq; that said COM
m1ttee be clothed with full powers in the prem
1SeS, and be directed in forwarding the object in
view to request the aid of the District press
which. IT. believed, shares with this board a
Just appreciation OF the services and Veneration
for the memory on the man to whose services
and memory 1t is fitting that this tribute should
De paid The following were appointed the
committee:-MesSrS. LOveioy, Curtis, Baldwin
Middleton, White, Farley and Brooks.
NEW PROPOSITIONS
resolution was adopted directing that the
committee Oh teachers examine and report as TO
the best methods OF imparttng instructions in
reading and elocution In the normal and adj
vanced grammar schools. A resolution was
laid oFer that, in addition 70 the general man.
agement OF the two normal and advanced gram
mar SCHOOLS conferred upon the committee OF
teachers, the cOmnittee shall be authorized to
make such changes liz the course OF study as
they may deem advisable.
EMULATION AMONG PUPILS IN THE MATTER GF
DRESS.
Mr.. Curtis called attention to what he thought
was growing evil-the spirit OF emulation
among the pupils especially OF the normal
knew how to meet Ii.
Mr.. Lovejoy remarked that when the normal
school was opened. he had taken it on himself
to ten the young ladies' that there should be no
Dir. Farley said it was rather bad commen-
tary On the intelligence of the pupils to dress as
they did at the normal school commencement
last season.
Mr. Curtis suggested resolution "that the
board recommend that In the closing exercises
OF all the schools, including the normal school,
simplicity or dress On the part OF the pupils be
observed, and the teachers be requested to urge
this recommendation upon their scholars"
Adopted.
Mr.. Loyejoy claimed hat this was not a SUBJ
ject for the board, and it was beyond the scope
OF their power to uniform the pupils. He sug
gested that the discussion would accomplish
the object.
Mr.. Curtis remarked that something should
De done, for he knew of parents so poor that
they could scarcely exc out an existence who 20
please their children had them appear In costly
dresses, and some families would go hungry to
buy dresses for these occasions.
Mr.. Brooks remarked on the extravaganza In
sasheS, costing from dollar up. and noted
some instances OF pupils being called up to re-
ceive diplomas, bursting into tears because they
did not have SaSheS.
The resolution was adopted, MeSsrs. Loyejoy
Pope and Smith. voting in the negative.