The record-union., 1891-01-10
ment Of special teacher of gymnastics
cy- 90 liSthauinc
coNsoL1pAr1oN OF CLASSES.

ment of special teacher of gymnastics
or calisthenics.
CONSOLIDATION OF CLASSES.
Shortly after entering on the discharge
of my duties I visited the several half
day classes, and 1 became convinced that
the consolidation of the low and high
eighth classes under one teacher would be
beneficial and of greater advantage to the
pupil than division of the classes with q
separate instructor for each.
The law, Section 1857, Political Code,
demands and very properly, that the pri-
mary schools be taught by experienced
| teachers who shall receive the highest pay
given to teachers of the first grade. This
| law should be strictly enforced. The
| foundation on which the child is to erect
| It's future mental and intellectual super
| structure rests in the primary depart
| ment, and skilled teachers, quick to un-
| derstand the peculjaritieS of these young
aspirants, should be selected to mold
their character and form their minds
| Another reason urges itself for this
| change-half-day teachers are never satis-
fed with tleir positions; they are scarcely
appointed ere they are seeking promo
ton; the salary is insufficient; and this
necesSitates constant changes III the grades
that above all others should be perman-
ent. And yetanother reason why favor
this consolidation: The teacher has these
! uHCSl ASI CIlGI SS TWO YEARS.,
the low eighth of the first year becomes the
high eighth of the next year. They under
stand each other; q feeling Of attachment
exists between them; their personalities
and individual peculiarities, and they are
well marked in children of that age, are
studied by her and she is better enabled
from a knowledge of their idioSyncra-
cies to direct their minds in the channels
proper for them to pursue.
| pROMOTIONS
A question Of vital Importance, serious
ly affecting the welfare Of our schools, is
the just promotion of teachers. This
| should be done ON the basis of merit and
length of service. What encouragement
is there TO q faithful, deserving teacher
when she finds her time and talents are
| passed over, and others of lesser merit
are promoted to the position which by
hard labor she has rightly earned.
| Every incentive, every stimulant to
the attainment of the higher place is des-
troyed, and that which should have af-
forded pleasure and gratification,
| inks into mere drudgery Justice and
impartiality, and not extraneous influ-
ences, should be the rule in making pro-
motions.
LIBRARIES.
The importance of school libraries can
not be overestimated. School literature
is abundant, yet we are lacking in this
respect.
The State allows to cities, from the
State school fund, $50 for every 1000 chill
dren between the ages Of and II years,
for library purposes; but it can readily
be seen what tri1le that is when divided
among our schools. A few works OF ref
erence to each of the higher schools
quickly absorb the appropriation.
Every school-house should be supplied
| With the necessary reference books suit
able to the grades taught therein; and a
more extended system, embracing all
classes of literature adapted to the re-
qI1reInents OF every pupil, should be es-
tablished.
The effect of well-assorted school IL
brary would soon prove its usefulness in
the mental development and intellectual
Improvement OF our children. 1t would
increase an appetite for knowledge,
growing on what it feeds on"
THE SCHOOLS.
The High School is under an efficient
corps of teachers, while its classes are
1ulier than at any past period OF its his
tory. This increase is an evidence on the
part of pupil and parent that the higher
branches OF literature and science should
be maintained-a desire creditable to
both, and one which should be fostered
and encouraged by the Board.
The grammar and primary depart
ments are under their respective Princi-
feeling the importance OF their mission.
appear TO strive for tho best enieavors O!
those lntrusted to their care. j cannot
but believe, however, that an association
OF teachers meeting together, at least once
q month, Tor the purposes of discussion
on educational topics and Interchange o1
ideas thereon, thus keeping pace with the
progress OF the age on all subjects direc.
or cognate to the great cause in which
they are engaged--could not be otherwise
than beneficial to the interests of educa-
ton.
STUDY OF GERMAN.
Three hundred and twenty-three pupils
attest the usefulness of this study, anG
under the instructions OF it's competent
teacher considerable progress is being
made.
In conclusion, permit me to express
my thanks to the members of the
Board for the support which they
have at all times unhesitatingly
given me-for the uniform kindnes.
which l have received from ths
hands of each teacher. Their many cour
tesies have imbued me with courage anc
inspired me with the hope that my labors
IN this, the nobiest of efforts, have no.
all been wasted.
The citizens of our fair city may wei
feel proud of their schools. The results
of the education received within then
has been manifested in many instances
in the various positions of honor anC
trust held by those educated therein.
Let US continue the good work until ON
schools are universally admitted as the
best, and its diplomas recognized as 6
passport Of q thoroughly educated scholar
T II tn,,.l