Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-26
made, and thus the building was refused.
 

DRAWING.
 Arrangements are now completed, by which the services of teacher of Drawing have been secured for the teachers of the District. This will not involve any addi- tional expense for the city.
 PENMANsHIP.
 The Board takes this occasion to return thanks to MT C.F. Carroll, principal of the State Normal school, who kindly consent ed to give our teachers instructions in the methods of teaching penmanship. At the classes, five of which were held ill the High school room, much interesting and yalua- ble information was imparted. The real difficulties which beset children in learning to write were carefully noted. By the knowledge thus acquired, instructions in this stndy are simplfied and the teachers are enabled to direct attention to the essen- tial points, thereby rendering more efficient their labors and more rapid the progress of the pupils.
 REORG HAWKING THE SUB-DISTRICT OF
 BROOKLYN.
 For the past two years or more the Board beheld the schools in this district laboring under disadvantage which tended to low CT their standing, and thus impair their usefulness. The primary rooms were crowded to excess, the intermediate rooms were necessarily imperfectly graded, en- tailing upon the teachers much extra yet ill-requiting labor.
 The Grammar room was at times but half filled and always poorly graded. After much consultation and careful study of all the interests involved it was determined to so modify the existing lines of division as to give to the Grammar and Advanced Intermediate rooms a sufficient number of pupils meeting the requirements of two grades for each room. This change will introduce order, and facilitate progress in both the schools. To the teachers concern | cd this change will also be a boon, as it will relieve them of some of the disadvantages | under which they have been labOring for some time. In addition such other changes | were made among the teachers as the Board | deemed expedient to promote the educa- tional interests of the city.
 CERTIFICATES OF AGE AND TIME SPENT
 IN SCHOOL.
 Amongst the many duties which render | the life of the Superintendent of our schools one of busiest in the city, not the least is the work of giving certificates of age. and of time spent in school to those desiring to go to work. During the last year about 500 applications were made and out of this number only 250 were granted. From these figures we may learn the necessity of exercising this Supervision. and form an idea of the labor involved. Mir Crosby de- votes from S:30 to 9. a. m. and from 12 to 1.30 D. m. These hours are chosen because they are considered most convenient for the children, and because they leave the Superintendent free to devote 10 the school the full time required by law. Be cause of this duty the Superintendent is compelled to come to school daily one half hour earlier than the other teachers, and to forego the needed relaxation at noon. and hence we respectfully suggest that a fitting recompense be made to him for these duties performed.
 PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AGAINST THE
 Effects of Fire or Lightning in the
 Schools
 Believing with the better portion of man. kind that approved fire extinguishers and good lightning rods properly adjusted dc afford protection against fire and lightning we have recommended. and we here re:ew our recommendation that these ordinary safeguards of life be conceded to the chil- dren in our schools. The power to enforce the presence of children implies the duty to provide for their safety.
 In conclusion we congratulate the teach CTS not only on the success which they have obtained in the school room, but also on the earnestness with which they avail them. selves of every means of self improvement iplaced within their reach. In this they show true and exalted conception of their vocation. Happily many such means are at hand. Notable amongst them are the meetings of the Naugatuck Valley Teach CTS Association. These present an excel lent opportunity for friendly interchange of thought and experience. They enable teachers to reap where they have not plant ed.
 Another excellent means of improvement may be found in the Summer School fol Teachers at Mantle Distinguished teach CTS meet here and calmly discuss the mos important questions pertaining to educa tion. Here also may be seen the practica workings of the various methods adopted by instructors, and what is very important an accurate knowledge of the distinctive |. features of each method is obtained. These meetings are not an accident in oul society, nor are they wholly due to the in fuence of any one individual. They art the natural outgrowth of public spirit in community appreciating education, ano actively desiring to promote it's interests through those fountain heads, the schoo !, teachers of the State Their most efficien promoter does but strike note which find a ready response in the hearts of the peo pie. Indifference to all such enterprise , argues indifference to the interests of edu cation itself Some means of mutual in tercourse, resulting in mutual improve ment are necessary for all. Books will no supply the want. Teachers graduated iron good schools may not, for few years, fee s the need of these aids, but for those wh have labored long in the vineyard they ar indispensable. We are pleased that some of our teachers attended these meeting during the summer, and ex ress the hop that larger number will profit by them il future years.
 II J. A. MULCAHY.