The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-01-29
The IORFH YAKIMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Superintendent 3. 2. Gretns addresses he
SshOol PatShs...StatiStio q Attend.
anee.-fhe Roll q Homer.

delay in getting my records and other
Office work into proper shape have pre-
vented my doing 50 until now. At this
late day l present for your careful study
and consideration q brief summary Of
attendance and other matters pertaining
to school administration here, with some
plain suggestions as to what appears TO
me to be neglected parental RESPONSE
bilIty.
II will occur TO most Of you that many
things conspired together during the first
few months Of the year to make the work
Of our teachers somewhat tedious and
annoying and, to q certain extent, barren
Of "showy" results. II was fully expected
that the Columbia building would be
ready for use September 18th, and yet
school did not open there until October
10th, so that for the first FIVE weeks we
were delayed in the work Of permanent
classification. On taking possession II
was found that desks which were pur-
chased in August TO be delivered Septem-
Der LIST had not arrived, and for two months
from twenty-five to forty pupils were sit
ting on chairs or old benches, without
desks. Many Of the people on the west
side Of the track did not send their chill
dren at all during the first five weeks, and
the resultof this apparent thoughtlessness
is still manifest in the work Of correspond
ing grades in the two buildings.
When / took charge Of the schools l
was informed by the board Of directors
that they wished the schools graded in
accordance with some definite system
and Q progressive course Of study pre-
pared. This did 10 the best Of my abil-
ity, providing for primary and grammar
departments Of four grades each and o
high school course Of three years. So
many things demanded the attention Of
the hoard, however, that 1t was not def
nitely acted upon until some time in
November. In the meantime twenty-five
students had been enrolled who desired
to enter high school classes. I did the
best could with these until December
LIST, at which time an examination was
held for entrance into the high school.
Two or three had left prior 10 this time
and one or two were unable to attend.
OF eighteen applicants, thirteen passed q
fairly creditable percentage and were ad-
mitted to the work Of the ninth grade.
One Of the thirteen wishing further work
in the common branches very wisely con-
cluded to stay in the eighth grade, 50 that
the high school class is treated as COM
posed Of twelve members from the date
Of their first entrance. Those who failed
were recorded in the eighth grade. After
the system VAS finally decided upon, II
was deemed necessary to place the eight
grades in both buildings on an equal
footing. Miss Nation was therefore pro-
noted to the principalship Of these grades
at the Columbia building. The high
school class was placed under my imme-
diate control, the time not necessarily
occupied in class work to be spent in
experimenting the work in all grades.
Miss Nations promotion made neces-
sary another teacher in her stead, and
Miss Mercy Larsh' teacher Of good
attainments, considerable experience, and
resident Of the city, was engaged. Miss
Aonroe's resignation made another
vacancy, and, after temporary engage
ment Of Mrs. Berry Tor month, the board