The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-02
NEW RULES And
REGULATIONS.
Course Of Study for the Public Schools
Of San Francisco.
Additional Features to Each Grade-Training
in Politeness, Morality, Health, Pat.
riotism and History.

Suel lNcIlCulabl6 lOi AdllOC hl4db HO opOAtES
is necessary for noting in detail some of the
more important changes that have been
made under the new regime. The public
school is the nursery of the American
citizen, and rs its methods and teachings
are good or bad. so will the effect be on the
scholar. Parents seldom or never see the
course of study marked out for then chill
dren, mostly for the reason that the rules
are published in pamphlet form, and even
il by chance the pamphlet should come into
possession of the parent il is seldom read.
being laid aside 10 await fitting Oppor-
tunity which never comes. In the con-
densed form here given it is earnestly hoped
that not only every parent, but every one
interested in the future Of the rising genera
ton. will give it a perusal
Passing by such rules as are known from
their long use, attention is directed 10 some
new ones which have been introduced. and
particularly those referring to o. Training
in Poiteness, (9 Moral Training, 81 Health
and a. Patriotism and History. The classes
in clay modelling have been abolished, and
also algebra, in the grammar schools, and
the courses Of drawing and sewing have
been m, diiei. The teachers are instructed
TO note the fact that many children need to
be taught the language of courtesy and
pOlitenesS in the schools Tor the reason that
their home surround nSs are such that they
have little OF no training in good manners
except at school. a little motherly talk on
good manners once or twice week for i've
OF ten minutes is recommended, aud the
older children will be made to understand
their duty in aiding the younger ones. The
teachers are recommended TO provide them
selves with a little book By Julia NJ. Dewey,
entitled How 10 Teach, Manners, and keep
il on their desks.
MORAL. TRAINING.
With reference 10 the moral training,
the teach ers are directed to give instruction
for few minutes at the opening OF the
school In the morning, and at other favor
able OPP ortunities, in good manners and
good morals, avoiding all occasions for treat
ing of or abiding TO sectarian subjects.
They viii seek TO plant in the minds and
hearts Of their pupils the principles of right
living, especially of temperance, and eX-
PLAIN to them the effect of narcotics and alco-
holic stimulants on the body and mind. 1t
is their duty TO impress upon the minds OF
the pupils the principles Of morality, truth.
justice and patriotism; TO teach them to
avoid idleness, profanity and faseho0d;
and TO instruct them IN the principles OF
free Government and to train them up to 4
true comprehension of the rights, duties
and dignity Of American citizenship. In
physical training, calisthenic drill, kinder
Rarten motion songs, breathing exercise,
cleanliness of face and hands and tIdiness
wit: to go 10 bed early and sleep from nine
10 ten hours every night; not to drink
strong tea or coffee; TO brush the teeth every
day; not TO hold a book too near the eyes
and to keep the feet dry and warm, must be
taught. In training in pollteness the fol-
lowing Suggestions are made TO teachers:
POliteness is to do and say the kindest
thing in the kindest way. The Imagination
of the child must be stimulated sufficiently
10 enable him TO put himself in sympathy
with oflprs n a. tn inpTp9sg rhpir nieaknrn
and comfort. They must be taught that tn
be polite Is simply TO be thoughtful and un-
selfish. Moral precepts are best enforced
by familiar talks that present the highest
aim, and encourage rather than forbid.
Children OF all ages remember what they
take part in longer than what is told them,
and the energy of the teacher should be
given TO drawing rules Of conduct for
them rather than to rehearsng words of
wisdom. In their lessons they should be
taught kind treatment of schoolmatrS; care
in not intcTrupting teachers; not to whisper
IN company or in school; to be respectful to
visitors. school officials and janitors; TO OBJ
serve good manners at the table and to be
POLITE 10 father, mother, sisters and brothers
at home.
WITHIN BOUNDS.
In moral training the teachers are in
stTUcted to keep strictly within the bounds
of manners and morals, and avoid all occa-
s!onS for treating of or abiding to sectarian
SUBJECTS. he slcCiIc ulEeClOlS are 10 tell
the children Of their duties to their parents,
Of kindness to animals, not to fight except
in self-defepse, to tell the truth, not to be
selfish, TO tell the boys Of the dangers of
smoking cigarettes, and TO read or tell the
pupils short anecdotes or stories to illus
trate coed moral qualities, Teachers must
not force or crowd their pupils, and must
not assign lessons for home study to pupils
in the first, second or third grades.
In training in pOliteness there must be at
h. IL
morning, en- such topics as manners at
school. at home, Oh the street, at the table,
toward the aged and in the street-caTs. The
children must be taught TO be polite to their
teachers and School-mates. They must be
told particularly Of their duty in being re-
specful and polite 10 every one at home; to
be kind to animals and birds, and impress
upon the mind of the boy that his mother is,
for him, the first lady in the land. For
short time, upon the opening of the school,
every morning. and at other favorable 3D.
portunites, boys should be shown why it is
wropg TO play truant; wrong TO fight; why
they should tell the truth: why they should
not smoke cigarettes, and other matters
which have been referred to already; and
each school should form Band OF Mercy"
the members of which promise not to fight,
not TO thrown stones at Cinnamon or abuse
animals, and to do all in their power to keep
9th eTs from abusing them. In this depart
ment, also, there should be the free gymnas-
TIC Nllll. klnucIHdIltu HOtlOl songs, BREATH
ing and vocal exercises and drill, care for
dress and Ierson, to avoid strong tea or
coffee. ard care for the eyes, mentioned
elsewhere. These instructions refer to the
first and second grades.
HYGIENE.
In the third grade the additions to the
regular course commence at elementary
science, with lessons on the human body,
with special reference to hygiene. The
points presented are (d) the head. trunk
and extremities, tb) how to train the body
so as to keep it healthful, strong and grace
full, (c) simple study Of the special senses;
third, use and abuse. The pupils will re-
eeiVe proper instruction with reference to
food and clothing. exercise, rest, pure air,
sufficient light and temperance in eating
and drinking. AS far as time will allow,
observation lessons will be assigned them,
tween September and January, between
January aad April, between April ID
June, minerals. phenomena of nature. OBJ
iects aud forms of various kinds, animals,
writing something about it; teaching bot
any, in aid of which syllabus for general
lessons has been prepared.
Under the head of Health, Morals and
Poliieness," the school laws of the State are
laid down for the general guidance of the
teacher. Each special feature is considered
separately, and rules given for EACH For
physical training. lessons on the human body
will be given, with saecial reference to hy-
giene. In training in politeness, children
are supposed to learn manners at home and
to take them on unconsciously from inter-
course with others. The topics, therefore,
for short talks will be manners at home, in
school. in society and at places of amuse-
ment; always be polite TO your parents, and
why; always obey your parents cheerfully,
aud why; always do your duties cheerfully,
and why; an ungrateful child is ALWAYS
despsed by everybody, aud why, and
duties at school" Many minor topics are
are also laid down for the teachers guild
auce.
INCUMBENT UPON TEACHERS
Neral training is incumbent upon the
teachers, who are directed to give instruc-
ticn for few minutes in good morals at
the orenng CT school in the morning and at
other favorable opportunities. The outlines
of the lessons are kindness to others, kind
ness to animals, love for parents. friends,
neighbOrs and enemies; respect and reYer-