St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-03
REFORMS BY GILBERT.
Truants Becoming Wary of
Being Hunted UP by School
Inspectors.
Supt. Gilbert Launches His
Theories on Kindergarten
in the Schools.
An Economy Streak Places
Several Assistants Heads
in Danger.
Inspectors Opposed to School
Children Giving Public
Exhibitions.

Supt. Gilbert made a very pertinent
report yesterday at the meeting Of the
board of school inspectors, there being
present Messrs. Scheffer (chairman),
Bridgman, Kane, Stamm. Auerbach and
Pyle. The meeting was held in Mr..
Auerbach's Office, in the Pioneer Press
building. Mr.. Gilbert's report covered
the month of November, and read:
The total number of pupils admitted to
both day and night schools for the current
school year to date is Ii, SIS, an increase over
last month of SCI and over November of last
wear of 1874. The prevalence OF scarlet
fever and diphtheria In certain portions of
the city has materially reduced the attend
ance. Notwithstanding which the schools
show n good increase over last month.
We are beginning to see some results from
the agitation relating TO the enforcement of
the compulsory education act. The effect
thus far is OF course moral one. Many
parents are sending their children to school
in anticipation of the enforcement of the act,
and am informed that some business houses
are discharging children heretofore illegally
employed. This is a branch OF the subject
which should not be neglected by the board.
Copies OF the law in English have been gen
crafty distributed by the teachers. but the
canvass thus far IS incomplete. l would
recommend that copies of the law in differ
ent languages be distributed. By the end of
the term hope to have sufficient informa-
ton 10 enable the board to proceed at once
and intelligently with the enforcement of
the act.
/ have one further recommendation to
make which / deem of great importance.
All the best thinkers upon educational topics
| at the present time admit the value OF kinder
garten training Many cities have estab-
lished kindergartens i'll connection with the
public schools, which have been attended
with the best results. The principles which
are insisted upon the by kindergartners, es-
I pecially the cultivation of the senses and the
bringing of the child into actual acuua1nt-
ance and contact with nature and her prod
ucts we have admitted in the establishment
of ms nual traininZ; but to make this COM
plete and valuable. It should begin with the
very young children. do not need to dis
cuss this fully, as the members of this board
will generally admit its truth. There are
also local, economic and sociological reasons
for the establishing of kindergartens III st.
Paul. These are to be found especially in
the consideration of the -dutJes of the state
toward the ignorant vicious and poverty
stricken classes. We now get these children,
| if we get them at ALL usually a: the age of six
| years. Some of them have already mad three
years education in the gutter. Some OF them
| are practical criminals at six, whose moral
sense can hardly be said to exist. II we can
| get them at four years of age and place them
under the sweetening land elevating in
| fiuences of the kindergRTtens, and subject
them to the fine moral training furnished by
| the Kindergarten exercises, we will save
| many ana eHeHt Il TSuuCllOu III TIC uutHOcI
| of criminals beyond our power to compute.
For these and ether reasons l recommend
! that the committee on schools be instructed
| to investigate the advisability and possibility
| of establishing kindergar!ens in the schools
| of this city at an early date.
I DIR. Bridgman moved the adoption of
| the report, which was seconded by Mr..
Auerbacb, and agreed to.
Among the Teachers.
In the report of the committee on
schools, the following leaves of absence,
! appointments and transfers were rec
commended:
Miss Sarah Putnam, of Webster school,
leave of absence for the remainder of the
| current school year.
! Miss Kate Putnam, appointed teacher Of
| fifth grade, Webster school.
| Miss Sadie Mcdonald, transferred from
| Harrison school to the first grade Jackson
| school to open new room i'll that building
Mas Winnie Meginn transferred from
| Fisher Ames school TO the first grade Harri-
son school, at schedule salary for third year
| of service.
| Miss Mariet Barker. of Franklin school
| leave of absence, without pay. from Nov Is
| to Feb. ]. 1872.
Miss Frances Nicon ira nsferred from Grant
school to the first grade Franklin school
| Miss Marian Morrison transferred from the
Murray to the first grade Grant school.
Miss Lucy Hallowell appointed teacher of
intermediate grades Murray school
Miss Kate Sexton. teacner OF second grade
Jackson school, To open new room in that
building.
Miss Lille Nettleship, of Monroe school,
leave of absence, without pay, from Nov. to
Feb. l, 1892.
Miss Nora Clinton appointed teacher of
second grade Monroe school:
F. A Chouteau appointed as teacher Of
manual training.
The following are appointments and
transfers in the night schools:
j. y. Buck appointed to Madison school
Miss Winifred Egan appointed to Franklin
Miss Alice Shields appointed to Franklin
school.
W. D. Moffett transferred from Fra nklin tc
| Madison.
T. C. Rossman transferred from Cleveland
to Mcclellan.
w. NJ. Farrar transferred from Madison to
| Franklin.
The secretary was instructed to pay
the car fare of substitutes who serve
without pay, out of the contingent fund
in his office. 1t was also recommended
that rule 135 be amended by the addition
of the following: