The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-05
EXPENDITURES.
.SIO7,6S4 so
coNDITTON oF scHoOLs.

Many improvements and additions
have been made during the year, and |
am pleased TO state that the schools are
now IN excellent condition. l would,
however, call your attention to the I'M
peratiye necessity Of erecting suitable
building for a high school. The increas-
ing scholarship demands more convent
ences than can be afforded by the present
building.
The reputation Of the school has excited
interest abroad, and pupils from adjoin
ing counties are now enrolled among its
attendants. When this school was first
established its scholarship was limited.
In the last three years it has more than
doubled, until it's register shows l64
students. having an average attendance
of $50; and with a proper structure, en-
larged facilities and competent corps of
teachers, such as at present IL fortunately
possesses, there will be no question as to
It's future destiny.
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
During the year an offer was made by
the City Educational Association to place
in the schools teacher of physical cult
ure, under the Swedish system, for the
period of one school term ten months),
free of charge, for the purpose of giving
TO this branch of physical education q
full and fair trial. The offer was accepted,
and Miss HedWig Malmstrom of Stock
-
The classes of the Capital and Sutter
grammar grades. DevOting herself en-
tirely to those schools, a thorough and
practical test of the system could be had
and the results would be evidence of its
utility.
So far it has proven satisfactory, and an
exhibition drill of one Of her classes, hav-
ing only six weeks drilling, at the City
and County Institute elected warm COM
mendation from the teachers present.
Apparatus for improved exercises is
now asked for. We have commenced
this system for the av0wed purpose Of
testing its efficiency, and no obstruction
should impede its progress. L would,
therefore, recommend granting the appli-
ton.
CONSOLIDATION OF CLASSES.
In my last annual report 1 urged upon
this board the necessity of consolidating
the low and high eighth primary classes
under the supervision Of experienced
teachers. N Y views thereon have been
strengthened and confirmed by further
investigation, and my objections are
based on the following reasons:
First-Our present system is an eva
sion of law whose consequences may yet
embroil us in difficulties.
SecOnd-The experience which the
young teacher does not nor cannot be eX-
pected to possess.
Third-The desire for promotion-not
so much for higher grades as tor higher
salary.
Fourth-The stability and permanency
these classes would have were older and
experienced teachers employed at the
salary fixed by statute.
Fifth-It would prevent the constant
changes continually necessitated by pro-
motion from these grades, which is an
evil most injurious to the mental devel-
opmeut OF the children in these primary
classes.
THE teacher makes the school," How
important then that the class commenc-
ing its first course Of study, lacking every
essential element which higher tuition
demands, should have under it's care the
very best and most experienced instruct
Ors. not alone able TO kindle an interest
in their Juvenile minds, but 10 keep 1t
alive, endow it with a vitality affecting
their entire course of study through the
entire course of its teachings.
| deem this matter of such vital i'm
portance that l trust l may be pardoned
Tin the support of my opinions L present
the thoughts of few of our most expert
enced educators on this subject.
Superintendent A. I. Niles Of Coving-
ton, Ky, quotes from the school report Of
Joseph Paine Of the College of Precept-
orS, London, and which he strongly in
dorses, the following:
''Wbatever may be done in the case of
those children who are somewhat adj
Vanced in their course, and who have, to
some extent at least learnt how TO learn,
it is most of all important that
i'll the beginning of instruction, and WITH
view 10 gain the most fruitful results
from that instruction, the earliest teacher
should be an adept In the science and art
ofeducation. We should do as the Jesuits
cid In their famous schools. who, when
they found teacher showing real skill
and knowledge in teachingIsin higher
classes, promoted him 10 the charge OF the
lowest. Whether child shall advance in
his course as an intelligent being or as a
mere machine, depends almost altogether
on the manner in which his earliest in
struetiGif is-conducted."
William Connell, City Superintendent.
Fab River, Mass, says: "At this age
(the earliest years. children are most sns-
ceptible TO impressions, and it is in these
schools primary where right teaching is
OF greatest value. and where poor teach
ing is most injurious
''The greatest good to the greatest num-
Der demands the best teachers in the pri-
mary years OF school life. ''-Superin-
tendent City Schools, Cairo, III.
Edward Z. Steel, President OF the Board
Of Education, Philadelphia, states, as his