The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-07-26
VOL 80
The Annual Report of DR., J.P. Welsh, of
the Bloomsburg State Normal School.

10 you the following, as my annual
report for the school year ending June
a6, 1895.
We had in attendance during the
past year seven hundred and thirty
one different students. Of these one
hundred and forty five were graduated.
This formed the largest graduating
class the school ever had, and it is
believed to be the best. The class
was divided into small sections and
carefully trained. They put about
half their time on professional work.
The model school work was especially
satisfactory.
The trustees of the school, last
January employed a special teacher to
introduce the Pollard Synthetic or
phonic Method of teaching children
to read
There were two reasons for doing
this. One was to test the results Of
the method by placing class of child
rem under daily instruction in it. The
other was to give the members of the
senior class, many of whom will secure
schools in cities and boroughs where
the method is in use, a chance to
learn how to use it.
The teacher, Miss McMollan, of
Marshaltown, Iowa, brought the ex-
perimental class at the end of about
twelve weeks before an assemblage of
patrons and trustees, and explained
somewhat Of the nature of the method
and of the work done by the class,
and tested the class to show results.
The result was very gratifying to all
present, and 1t was decided to con-
tinue the work to the end of the year.
Every senior received the instruc-
ton without charge interested teach.
ers in neighboring towns were ac-
commodated by the organization of
special classes, and in the end it was
decided to adopt the method and use
it throughout the Model School during
the following year. The coming senior
class will also receive special instruc-
ton in this phonic method.
Early in the year two important
pieces of machinery were added to
the Manual Training Department
lathe, and fret saw. Both proved
very useful and attractive. More
machinery is 10 be added for next
year. 1t is run by steam power.
A new dormitory for the use of en-
ployees has just been completed. 1t
was greatly needed. The entire base
ment of this new building which is
40 SO feet has been fitted up as
new laundry. The growth of the
school made it impossible to continue
longer in the old laundry which in
size and appliances was suited to ac-
commodate the needs of the institu-
ton when it had only half its present
number Of students.
The grounds in front of this build,
ing have been laid out in terraces and
present most attractive appearance.
The building is fine structure and
adds greatly to the appearance of the
back campus.
The athletic field, and the gym.
nasium to which it is adjacent, form
wholesome attraction for students
who are inclined to devote themselves
too exclusively to their books. No
tendencies to neglect duty for athletics
have yet appeared in the school.
The changes in the course Of study
and the enlarged examining board are
Improvements, SO far as this school is
concerned. Fifty-four post. graduates
returned to the school during the past
year to take advanced work. The ex-
amining board was able to do its work
with greater satisfaction than ever
before. The only instance in which
there is danger of injustice being done
to candidate now grows out of the
assigning of subjects to the examiners,
When allied subjects are assigned to
two different examiners, the candidate
may receive two negative votes, al
though he may be deficient in only
one kind of knowledge. For instance,
when one examiner has history, and
another civil government, two subjects
allied in character and in the kind OF
training they afford, two negative
votes may be given although the candi
date may be sufficiently strong in all
other respects. A student weak only
in mathematics, may receive two mega
tive votes when arithmetic and al
zebra are in the hands of separate ex-
aminers. In either case one examiner
could presumably judge better of the
standing of candidate than two. In
most every particular the plan seems
to give promise, when modified by
experience, of bringing good results.
The prospects for the coming year
are exceedingly promising. Not only
will there be large attendance, but
there is promise of a much better