The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-06

month ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2.3
Total number visitors. .......-..... SD
Average number visitors per month. 1855
These tables show marvellous growth in our
schools, the increase in single year being 81
per cent 1t is doubtful whether the schools of
any city OF equal size in the United States have
been called upon to bear the strain which this
fact implies Moreover, our pupils have poured
in from every part OF the United States-indeed,
from almost every corner of the globe. The
cosmopolitan and changing character Of our
population has necess tated a constant readjust-
ment of our schools 10 meet new conditions. To
fuse these diverse elements int an organism
has been no easy task. Indeed. the work of uni
hcation has but just begun.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
With the completion and equipment of the
Central aud South schools, it was fondly hoped
that adequate schooI-rooms had been provided
for our school population for years to come.
Few could anticipate that these beautiful and
commodious buildings would prove totally in
adequate for even present demands. This year
every suitable and available room in the city
has been rented for school purposes, schools
being held in seventeen different places. Even
the eight additional rooms furnished by the
erection OF four temporary buildings have not
pcrceptibly diminished the crowds OF pupils at
the centers of population. With from seventy
five to 100 pupils Ia q single room double ses-
sions while regarded as q great evil, have been
necessity.
The Central school assembly hall. which
has been utilized school-room
for the high school during the present
year, has SCI ved the purpose fairly well How
ever, one of the subjects to be carefully consid-
cred in the near future is permanent place for
the High school. The Central school is so bad.
~ crowded that even II suitable provision could
be made for the High school elsewhere, il would
still be filed. / earnestly recommend that the
erection OF High school building be carried
into effect az the earliest practicable moment.
Since the school population is already far in ex.
cess OF the accommodations would il not be the
part of wisdom TO anticipate the future?
Great gains have been made in school srchi.
lecture during the past few years With a sense
oil the importance OF the childs physical we'll
being. great care is now bestowed upon proper
heat light and ventilation. A knowledge of
the relation of physical activity TO mind deyel-
opment suggests the play room as a necessity to
every well-constructed school-house. Our rainy
winter season eccentuatee the importance of
tue subject In modern public schools mere
outside show is giving place To convenience ana
comfort. In accordance with ihase ideas the
four new school-houses now building were
planned first for the children, and not primari-
iy to bcom real estate. That they will EXPRESS
the wants of chill hood and also conform in a
reasonable degree, TO the demands of modern
teaching, is confidently anticipated
SCHOOL AGE
Much thought has BEEN expended BY educat
ors upon the proper time for beginning formal
Instruction. All are agreed that edn
cation. whether we will il or not com.
mences at birth. There Is growing
belief that the piaytime of a child shouI6
be prolonged rather than abridged-that this Is
by no means, lost time. In many of the Older
states. the legal age for the admission OF chils-
rem TO the public school has been Fixed nj six
years OF age. Until recently five years has becn
Ia our own state the legal school age The now
school law OF Washington. which went into e.
feet March Is. 1890, is. however a compromisa
In title VI section 20, of this law, school dirac
tors may exclude from school all chiIdren ~,
Ger six years OF age. This clause places unnr
school directors the responsibility of admitting
20 crowded primary schools mere babies To
take q little 1--WE year-old from the nurserr ava
subject him TO school harness. as ordinarilv AZ.
tusted, is barharous We're our primary schools
kindergartens, where organized play is the
dominant thought, and whore but twenty ar
thirty children placed under a sinrla
teacher. the question would admit os a Totally
different solution. But under existing circn,r.
stances il would seem wise that a; the hactn.
ming of the next school year, all new pnpiIs mn.
der six years OF age be excluded from the nah
lie schools
FINANCIAL RRroRr
Cash on hand August /. 1889 s los 20
Appropriated 10y school board
SertemtcF. lSss ,----.-+--...-. so 90