Morning journal and courier., 1884-08-30

The completion of the Welch school marks new era in school architecture, and it may safely be taken as model when other build ings are needed. The building is severely plain inside and out, but generous outlay has been made in securing well proportioned school rooms, and the necessary appliances k for the ingress and egress of pure air in sufh- cient quantities to meet ordinary demands at all seasons. As far as these appliances could be tested, in the few months during which the \ building has been used for school purposes, \ it would seem that the method employed, \ both in it's design and execution, may be pronounced triumphant success. The N architect, MT. L. w. Robinson, deserves much credit for the manner in which the K whole plan. as outlined in the last annual re- port, has been carried out. Such building stands in marked contrast with few dark and unwholesome school houses, which can not all be renovated at once, but which an improved public sentiment will sustain the Board in replacing at no distant day, with R accommodations where the health conditions are equal to the best.
 Eight rooms in the Welch school have been filed, the pupils having been drawn from seven different schols, and the Webster, Washington and Wooster districts are thus afforded such relief as to prevent overcrowd- ing for at least some months to come.
 1t was hoped that pupils who have hitherto ' attended Fair street could be provided for at \ the We1ch and Wooster street schools, and, this being done, the Fair street building could be assigned to ungraded classes; but \ this was found to be impossible witho ut \ crowding other schools, and it is doubtful if k even the attic rooms can be left unoccupied. Did the Board feel warranted in going for h ward in the line of more improvements, the Webster street school house presents press 2 ing claim for attention. The build ing itself is so well preserved, and has been so well cared for, that it has been easy to allow it to stand from year to year while more rapidly growing sections \ of the city have received the attention of the building committed; but the architectural de- fects of the structure radical, and the conditions for successful teaching are so poor, relatively, as to give the taxpayers of \ that district ground for complaint. The charge that the eyesight of teachers and pu- \ pills, in certain rooms, has been permanently I injured is well authenticated; moreover, fresh air. that indispensable prerequisite to \ vigorous mental life, struggles into certain rooms with difficulty and only in homeopathic quantities. During the three months of perpetual fog and \ cloud which characterized the winter term, ! a pail hung over those rooms sombre enough \ to cloud the enthusiasm of the most ardent ' teacher
 While regarding the claims of the Webster \ district for better accommodations most \ pressing, a word concerning the cramped tcondition of the High school may be timely \ and not wholly out or place.
 Much of the value of what is expended in ' the teaching of natural science is lost be- \ cause of the utter lack of suitable accommo- dations for this branch. It appears that \ when the High school building was erected no special provision was made for this department. In the cities ! of Boston, Providence, New Bedford Nashua,
 Worcester, Springfield and Hartford we find lecture rooms for the giving of lectures and I experiments, and laboratories so arranged and appointed that whole class in chemistry ! can have individual practice therein. But in ' New Haven all the work of teaching and ex- \ pertinent in mechanics, physics and chemis- try is done in one room and at one table. In my first annual report, after calling attention to this defect and to the importance of High school work, the following language was used: F'I consider it desirable that more signed to this department, so that a larger number of pupils can have laboratory practice. I would also recom- mend that the instructor be furnished an as sistant at a small salary, who, in the care of apparatus and personal attention to students, could save the time of the head instructor | for lectures and class work.'
 The Alumni association took notice of this lack of laboratory space at it's last annual
 meeting, and passed resolution appealing | to the Board to find remedy. The teaching | of botany could also be made more efficient
 
 | with tables and other conveniences. The
 successful handling of any branch of natural I science requires the exercise of time and pa
 tience in original investigation. The
 facts may be. taught as theory, l but are of little value unless
 the learner explores for himself It is really
 the habit of independent inquiry, which the | truly scientific method is suited to impart
 that is of lifelong value to the student.
 Hence it is poor economy to push this most
 
 so much already, into 8 corner, when the same expenditure under better conditions ! would produce much larger results.
 I Should it seem feasible at no distant day to enlarge the High school building there are three important ends to be sought.
 l 1. To provide the space needed for proper \ work in science teaching
 ?. To furnish one or more rooms where | the subject of drawing can be taught to ad- ! vanced classes and where models, casts and l other necessary materials can be safely 1 stored. 1 from the upper hall, so as to remove all pos ! sibility of danger whenever large gatherings l are held.
 MECHANICAL DRAWING.
 The introduction of this branch into the upper grades of the grammar schools and the High school by Prof. Louis Bail is an important step towards more industrial ed ucation and has given 8 new impulse to the subject of drawing. Although the study is made optional, over 500 boys have already availed themselves of the opportunity here afforded. Prof. Bail says: FEIn the month of May commenced complete course in mechanical drawing in all the grammar schools, giving the boys of the two upper rooms lesson of one hour each alternate week. The regular teacher is required to give the scholars at least two hours instruc- tion every other week in mechanical draw ing, and thoroughly review all the problems and thus secure considerable practice in the use of the mathematical instruments"
 SEWING. What better form of manual training for the girls than plain sewing? This subject was once before the Board and referred by them to the committee on schools and superin- | tendent. My report is here presented, to wit, that it would be well for one or two principals of grammar schools to inaugurate experiments in one or more grades, say the fifth and sixth. Let them begin by ascer- taining how many knoW how to sew. If I may use statements made by several city su- perintendents as basis of prophecy, feel sure that few will be found, whether of the rich or poor, who understand the practical use of the needle. 1 would also report that the teaching of sewing as hitherto conducted in the Fair street and Goffe street schools ! should receive some substantial recognitionsk and support at the hands of the Board. The same benefcent amendment to the statute | before alluded to extends it's favoring hand \ in this direction.
 Following is the report of President H. \ M. Welch, made at the Board of Education \ meeting last night:
 PRESIDENT wELCH's REPORT.
 In presenting to the district the accompa- nying report of accounts by the treasurer, the \ secretary, and the comprehensive report of { the superintendent as to the present condi- ! ton and future prospects of our schools, the \ Board of Education calls the attention of taxpayers and parents to the considerable in- crease of school accommodations made neces- sary by the rapid growth of the city and the increasing popularity of the public schools.
 In the report made by the Board last year it was stated that the Winchester school building had been increased by the finishing of four rooms, thus gaining seating capaci- ty for two hundred pupils and making this school in all respects equal to the other gram mar schools of the district.
 The raising of the Edwards street school s building, which was completed about the be ginning of the fall term, gave four addition al rooms, making very creditable eight room school.
 The increase of scholars in that vicinity is