Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-19
ST MARI'S PAROCIIIAL SCHOOL.

of the Supreme circle at Minneapolis
 Minn, next August.
 SIT MARI'S PAROCIIIAL SCHOOL. | Satisfactory Results of the First Ncar's Work-Ovcr SIO.OOO Saved to the City in One Year.
 Editor of the DEMOCRAT:
 | It will no doubt be of interest to the patrons and others to know that tEe first
 years record of this parochial sch, ol has l been a success beyond the most sanguine
 expectations. When the school opened
 last fall eight teachers were on hand to
 care for the pupils. It being found or
 the first day that the number of pupils
 presenting themselves was beyond the
 capacity of eight rooms, the Rev J. H
 Mulcahy immediately started for the
 mother house of the order in Newark
 N. J.. for additional help, which was
 with difficulty obtained. The sisters are
 of the teaching order and only after a
 most thorough preparation are they sent
 out. The order was established by
 Archbishop Corrigan. when bishop of
 Newark, with $50 ,0O0 left him by rela- 1 tive.
 | The school editice, a S30 ,000 one. hard 1 ly to be eNcelled for thoroughness of
 construction and perfect adaptability
 for its purposes. is entirely paid for. The
 land necessary for the school proper
 would now cost S10,000, though the en- tire tract was purchased at a reasonable
 figure by the far-seeing Pastor Hen
 dricken.
 | The Rev J. II. ODonnell, the superin- l tendent, devotes his entire time to the school, being specially gifted and having
 a love for this work. The mother | superior has twelve assistants. so that the working force consists of fourteen | \ visit to each room of the school on Monday last showed 512 present, many being absent on account of the rain. the whole number on the register being
 over goo. The number enrolled during the year has been somewhat diminished by those from the grammar department who have found employment. An ex- perience of some years in teaching and more as school visitor has convinced the
 writer that the best work cannot be done when teacher has more than forty pupils and in some grades this number Is much to large for efficiency.
 A careful observation in each room of the regular work and inquiry as to the modes used and the appliances provided convinced the writer that the parents of thepupils may well congratulate themsel- yes on the progress of the year, a progress
 ol that it IS the first year of the school. But assimilation having been accomplished next years result will be still more satis- factory to all concerned. Weekly eN- aminations are held by the teaching corps and a monthly written eXamina- tlOn in the grammar department is conducted by the Rev J. H. Mulcahy.
 The greatest crowding of pupils was in No 1, where l found sixty-eight present. and in room \, an annex where were slNty-tive. These smallest ones are the greatest trust in a school, and though their months there have been few. they readily read written words from the blackboard and were even familiar with the Roman numerals. Above No 1, drawing is taught in all the rooms, the same system being used as in the public schools. Those in No ?. though but six and seven years of age, readily wrote from dictation numbers of five figures containing ciphers.
 From room to room the writer went, carefully observing the grading upward of studies, to speak of which in detail must be omitted for lack of space. Suf- lice 1t to say that not only in recitations, but m good order and respectful decorum to visitors, the impression made was most favorable. Whenever a visitor enters and leaves a room every pupil rises. To parents wishing their children to be taught cOurteOuSneSs such an example must be most gratifying. Room No 12, in charge of the mother superior, is of a grade comparing with the first year in the city grammar school.
 At present the sisters are accommoda- ted in hired house, but when their con- vent adjoining the school is completed i 1, T | grades of the grammar department. Even then the accommodations will not be sufficient. There is not. it happily seems, any conflict between this paro- chlal and the public schools. the field being large enough for both.
 The teachers devoted to their life work do not receive the pay given by the city. but what this school would yearly cost the taxpayers of the city may be estima- ted as follows: Salaries, $500; ianitor, S4oO: free books, $500: repairs, $500 :: 1 coal, S4OO; interest on S4O.0OO, S2,OOO | IT aoa SaoO; water, s1oO; total, Sll, POO. In addition to this the | parish supports p orphans and sends it's share of the 130 day pupils to the Con vent school, involving altogether an ex- pense which is hardly realized even when the cold figures are placed before the eyes.
 The closing of the school year, which will be on June 2S, will bring much re- ief to the anxious pastor, superinten- lent and teachers, as the success has been most marked and the prospects are hat the work will be more easily svs- ,ematized hereafter.
 It should be said in justice to MT Me Jarthy, the janitor, that the building was ound Tn extreme neatness. During the winter the entire building with 135, ,OOO