The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-30
The SCHOOL BOARD.
Superintendent Tarbel|'s Report on
Evening Schools, Etc.
ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.
A Very Concise Statement Of the Evening
school Finances and tho Conditions of
Attendance I'm the Schools Routine
Business by the Board-A New House.

At the meeting of the school board last
evening Superintendent Tarbell read his
report on the evening schools. The esti-
mate for the next season. he said, Is s2O,-
600, the same as last year.
Out of this 81, 400 must be set aside for
rents, $500 for supplies, $3.50 for fuel and
gas, 1900 for janitors, $3.50 for printing,
800 for miscellaneous. No estimate for
a supervising principal is here included,
the sums remaining for principals and
teachers being $4,000 Last winter Is
principals were employed. The schools
opened with POI teachers, besides princi-
pals, and closed with 1862. This number
permitted a term of but IA weeks.
A longer term than this seems desira-
BILE, but to secure it expenses per week
must be reduced. That is, fewer teach
crs must he employed. This means a
smaller number Of pupils in the evening
schools or more pupils per teacher. IL
fifteen schools are opened and 100 teach
ers are employed, the term can continue
eighteen weeks. but for a twenty-week
term the number of teachers must be linn
tied to 1873.
Regularity of attendance sho uld be re-
quired and no pupil under ~ years of age
should be allowed except after careful ex-
animation of the conditions.
The subject of discipline and corporal
punishment i'm the schools was referred
rules as they now stand. Corporal pun
ishment is not allowed in school hours
and report Of every case is required to
be made to the superintendent, who Is to
notify the committee in charge.
On the whole the order In the
schools is good. better than it was
several years ago. but not so good
n q IN The
regulations are an advantage in several
ways. We avoid the liability of collision
with pupils and parents, aud scenes in
school, we are I'm better favor with por-
tion of the public, and above all, il we
manage to get the good we ought out OF
the situation. the relations between
teachers and pupils will become more
pleasant and friendly. Every school room
should be a place where children will be-
come kind aud respectful as well as clear
headed and well-informed. Cross teachers
are out Of place and out OF date.
The superintendent said one point he de-
sired to make was that teachers must be
sustained in sending out Of school insub-'
ordinate pupils. The teachers must be
supported until the parents and pupils
learn to adapt themselves TO the new
situation. There are connected with the
public schools four kindergardens, one at
Smith street, with two teachers and an
average attendance the past quarter OF
"a pupils; one at Beacon avenue, with two
teachers and 34-PHPiis;- one at Federal
street, with one teacher and 30 pupils, and
one at Putnam street, with two teachers
and % pupils. The enrolment during the
past quarter has been as follows: High
mary schools. lO,666; total, 1887.
Routine Business Done.
The committee for the 9th district re-
ported that the yard at the Harris Avenue
school was unfit for the children to play
in, and they were compelled during recess
to go in the cellar instead of the yard, and
a resolution was offered asking that the
committee on city property be requested
to Immediately grade and put the yard in
proper condition. The resolution was
adopted.
Mr. Barstow of the committee on gram
mar and primary schools in the 4th dis
trict rendered his resignation, which was
accepted.
Gen. Dyer offered resolution asking
that the committee in relation to the City
Council be requested to make application
to the City Council for the enlargement
of Manning street school from two-room
to four-room building, by the addition
of another story, and IL was adopted.
George j. West of the Tenth District,
offered resolution asking that a new
school building be erected In the school
yard on Julian street, and that the old
building be left for night school pur-
poses The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Mccarthy of the third district asked
what action had been taken in regard to
improving the condition of the State
street school building and President Bar
ney said il had been referred to the exec
utive committee. who had visited the
premises and made a report to the City
Council The committee on city property
toE Enn hA M M N in hnn Vuit
view to having it remodelled in this COM
ing summer.
DIR. Rugg, of the committee on High
School, offered a resolution asking that
Annie l.. Sherdownc he appointed tempo
rarily rs instructor Of physical culture in
school, the appointment to be for three
weeks at "a salary of 800 per week. Miss
will give u fourth week il de-
sired without any charge. The resolution
was adopted
On motion 1t was voted that the special
be authorized to spend the
sum OF $50 for May festivities, and to add
to the committee OH High School the
Chairman of the school committee and
the Chairman of the committee on educa-
tion.
The report of the finance committee
was received and bill ordered paid
Mr.. Joslin Of the special committee
asked that tho committee be granted an
extension of time To complete its report.
IL was so ordered.
Mr.. West offered resolution author
izing the committee on bylaws to inves-
tigate the present system of paying sub
stitute teachers. Mr.. West said IL was
claimed that some teachers would only
appear one day i'm month and get as
much as s25 for IL, and he thought some
thing ought to be done about ii.
After some discussion regarding the
right committee to which the matter
ought TO be referred, IL was referred to the
on grammar and primary,
schools, with request to report at che
next meeting.