The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-15
NEW SCHOOL RULES.
Principals Desire a Monthly Half.
Holiday for Pupils.
acquisitions for Repairs Should Not Be Made
Unless Necessary-Pig-Eeade CUES
tions at Examinations.

superintendent SWEET of the public schools
occupied the floor during the entire session
of the school principals at Odd Fellows
Hall yesterday afternoon, except when cues
toned or interrupted for the purpose Of III
formation.
The session was of more than usual inter-
est, because the time was occupied in the
discussion of the new rules adopted by the
Board Of Education, and the proceedings
possessed practical value for those pres
cnt. inasmuch as they elucidated the details
of the work required of principals.
Superintendent SWEET read the new rules,
and stated tnat he was there to explain their
application and make clear any doubtful
points. The relations OF principal ana
teacher and principal and pupil were dis
cussed. The question of the powers and
duties of principals regarding punishment
in the schools was also taken NJ, and the
rule on the subject fully explained.
Principal White called attention to the
fact that the old rule giving principals the
power of granting the best ten deserving
pupils half holiday is not Incorporated in
the new rules, and he asked the Superin-
tendent to use his influence to have the old
rule restored. This was put to a vote, and
forty-seven of the principals present voted
while only four voted tor lis adjustment.
VISITS TO CLASSES.
Superintendent SWEET continued his in
stTuctlonS, and requested the principals to
keep the excuses of absent teachers on file
until the end of the month, as he had not
time to examine them every day. Ia re-
gard to the fine OF 50 imposed in the new
rules for the violation by any principal of
the provision requiring monthly report 10
be filed with the board, the Superintendent
stated that lie could III no case be persuaded
TO remit the fine.
While explaining the rale requiring prin-
cipals TO visit each class at least ten
minutes every day, Principal OConnor
stated that taking the other duties of
principal into consideration, there is not
sufficient time in the day TO follow the rule.
Superintendent SWEET replied that prln-
cipals should obey the spirit of the rule,
and, if they could not stay ten minutes in
each class, less time would suffice.
The Superintendent next reverted to the
subject of acquisitions. lie said that prin-
cipals are not cautious enough of the
finances of the department. They should
not make acquisitions for repairs unless
they are essential. There is prospect Of
deficit in the School Fund at the end of the
year. He had heard complaints from MEM
bers of the board that principals are making
acquisitions for extensive repairs. This, he
claimed, is wrong, when there is no money
on hand, ana he advised his hearers to 90
slow in this matter.
TRANSFER OF PUPILS.
Mr.. SWEET lad particular stress on the
rule which confers authority on assistant
teachers TO Cooperate with principals in
tie maintenance of discipline in the schools.
He said that assistant teachers have full
powers to command order and reprimand
pupils for disorder around the school build
ingS.
When the question of the transfer of
fpsailS from sPhnol tn apnthnr
sideTed, il was asked whether principals
, possess the power TO place pupils in a
higher grade than the one from which
transferred. 1t was stated that the rules
give principals that power, and also the
power TO degrade transferred pupils when
not up to the standard. Some of the prin-
cpals present severely condemned this
practice. and held that it had a tendency TO
demOralize the schools.
The Superintendent next informed the
meeting that he was authorized TO announce
That the distribution of part of the school
library fund would soon take place. He
bad calculated that each school would be
given $40 Of cent per pupil There IS
5000 in the fund, and only one-twelfth Of it
can be expended every month. About $500
viii be distributed this month, but some of
the schools will have to wait for their share.
He advised principals to make acquisitions
for primary grade readers, and essential
books OF reference.
PIG-HEADED QUESTIONS,
The speaker concluded his long address by
animadyerting in severe terms on what he
called The blind, senseless, stupid and pig
headed questions" asked of pupils in exam
nations. Some of these questions he read.
adding that any teacher who propnunded
such monstrous arithmetical problems to
children should be suspended. He knew
that many of the teachers themselves could
not work out these tOTtuOus questions, and
lie proposed to have il stopped.
Superintendent SWEET also stated that it
gralified him to announce that Miss Ryder
of the jefferson Primary School had been
presented with handsome bronze medal by
the Prevention OF Cruelty 20 Animals for her
services in organizing Bands of Mercy in
the schools.