The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-30
THE NEW BY LAWS.
The School Committee Discussed
Text Books.
ALSO FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING.
The Proposed New bylaws Were Laid ON
the Table Until the Next Meeting-They
VIII Curtaii the Powers of Some of the
Committees.

Inc ScuOol Cofnulitttt Incb III itRuioi
monthly session in the high school build
ing at O'Clock last evening. President
Barney was In the chair. The report OF
the truant officer was received and placed
on file Mr.. Cosgrove introduced reso-
luton asking the committee on city prop
erty to make two entrances on Atwell's
avenue to the Atwell's avenue school,
rs the side entrances on the ada
cent side streets were insufficient TO ac-
commodate the pupils. The resolution
was adopted. -.
The report of the committee on quolif-
cations announced the appointment OF "a
number of new teachers and the transfer
of few old ones. Approved.
j. III. Johnson presented the report OF
the committee on finance. which showed
the expenses for the past month to be
s., 252. IS; approved.
Chairman Hunter c. White presented
the report of the committee on text books,
recommending the adoption OF the Gray
spelling-books for primary and intermed-
late schools, and introduced resolution
that they be adopted.
Mr.. Joslin was opposed to the change
and offered a substitute resolution that
there be no change in the spelling books.
Mr.. Cosgrove said he agreed with Mr.
Joslin; he had yet TO hear any complaints
from teachers and thought the old books
were very good ones He had seen the
agents of several publishers aud none or
them offered any better books than those
they were mt present using.
Mr.. Metcalf said that as one of the COM
mittee on text books he was opposed 20
change, but that il n change in spelling
books was TO be made, he favored the book
mentioned by vhe committee.
Mr.. Cosgrove said he had been shown
copies Of the book mentioned and that the
binding was poor in fact the book was not
made substantial enough.
Mr.. White said that the reason for the
proposed change was that the system was
better than that in the old books. He also
stated that the publisher of the Gray
books had recently sold out TO CHM & Co.,
and that this firm was making prepara-
tions to get the book out in u more service
able shape as TO binding.
Mr.. McCarty was opposed to the adop-
ton of the new books as Ii would cause an
extra expense TO be placed on families who
could i'll afford to pay it. lie had not seen
the new books and did not know anything
about it's merits
Mr.. Frost said that as CHM & Co. in
tended to get out the books in most sub
stantial form the committee should not
act hastily before the new books were put
before the committee.
Mr. White said that in regard to the ex
ira expense. there would be a saving in the
end as now two grades OF spoilers are used
higher 25 cents, but the cost of the pro-
posed now book would be but 20 cents
the pupils using the primary book would
continue to use it till they were promoted
and those who were using the advanced
speller would have only 10 cents to paw
in exchanging the old ones for the new
he was. however, ia favor of the committee
having time to consider the matter and
would offer q resolution To lay the mat
ter on the table till the meeting previous
TO the next time of promotion of the
scholars, which will be In June
Mr.. Joslin said that when he offered the
substitute resolution be intended offering
another TO take out the primary spelling
book altogether, and he hoped his motion
would prevail
elements as those who composed the COM
mittee on text books were agreed, the
school board might take it for granted
that the decision was about right, and he
hoped it would be laid on the table.
The motion to lay ON the table was then
passed.
The New Bylaws.
Mr.. West for the committee on bylaws
introduced the revised set of bylaws and
moved that they lay on the table till the
next meeting The principal changes in
the bylaws are as follows: The commit
tees on music. drawing and peDmanship
sewing are all to be comprehended in one
committees Cdlleu tue committee on special
instruction. A new section inserted with
reference to the fact that hitherto there
has been no recess in the afternoon ses-
sions Is as follows There shall be an
out door recess in each session for all the
pupils, except in stormy or inclement
weather, when there shall be an intermis-
sion from study for fifteen minutes in
DOORS"
The duties of the supervisors of primary
schools are set forth in an entirely new
article:
SECTION l.. 1t shall be the duty of the
supervisors OF primary schools TO visit the
several primary schools as oIten as prac-
ticable. and render such assistance TO the
regular teachers as they are able by ex-
PLANTATION OF the course of study, by sug-
gesting and illustrating the best methods
of teaching the several subjects of school
study, advising teachers as TO troublesome
cases Of discipline, aud as To the grading
and promotion of pupils. They shall
specially observe the conduct of pupils
beforesschool at recess. and at the close of
each session, and advise teachers in refer
ence thereto whenever necessary.
Sec. 2. They shall meet the teachers in
grade meetings for general discussion of
the best methods OF teaching and disci-
plining schools.
Sec. 3. In all their work they shall he
subject to the direction of the superin-
The most important changes are in those
articles which govern the evening school
committee. IL provides for an evening
school approved list which shall consist of
those who have graduated from the Provi-
dence high school; who have graduated,
with full diploma, from any OF the city
grammar schools; who have taught three
years and upwards in the evening schools
of this city who have passed written
examination satisfactory TO the superin-
tendent OF the public schools.
The superintendent OF schools shall have
the same control over evening schools as
over day schools. The principal of each
evening school shall make report on Fri
day night of each week and the secretary
of the school committee shall keep these
reports on file, and shall at the end OF the
year have them bound for future refer
ence.
The duties of the truant officer were
amended by the following clause: He
shall also make detailed written reports of
his work 10 the executive committee at
least as often as once n month. and shall
at all times be subject TO their direction
Mr.. West moved that the clause affect
ts.sr th..s 49,. Il