The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-02
Average daily attendance for the


| buildings. .-......... 3A
| Number of tuition pupils. 81
| Number of teachers employed. 81
| Number of visitors. .44S7
Grade schools highest in enrolment
Washington, 4S5; Webster, 40; Irving.
as
| Grade schools highest in per cent of
attendance-Burton, first; Washington,
second; Park. third; Mccormick, third
| Lincoln, fourth; Irving, fourth; Kellogg,
fifth.
Grade schools highest in promptness
Burton, first; Carleton, second; Fair
mount, third
| There are several items in the report
which are gratifying TO the manage
| ment. The per cent of attendance (93)
| is remarkable, when il is considered TO
| cover the entire system of schools for
| the year. The enrolment is within 50
| of last years enrolment, nothwithstand
| ing the alleged decrease in population.
The fact that 4,4S7 of our patrons and
| friends of the schools have taken time
! from their home and business duties 20
\ pay a visit to the schools is indicative
| of a growing and healthful influence.
| The strongest friends the schools have
| are among those who find time TO meet
before passing judgment upon the work
done there. Not infrequently the per-
son who offers the most severe criticism
| upon the work Of the teacher has never
visited the schools he criticises and per-
| hapS has not a speaking acquaintance
| with the teacher to whom is intrusted
the instruction OF his child. Often the
| basis of his criticism is that he heard
So" and acted upon the report without
investigation. This is not only un-
fair to the teacher and the child, but
unfair to the free public school system
without which no community can hope
10 reach a reasonable degree Of pros
perity. Schools and teachers are not
perfect, nor will they be as long as hui
mainly is an element In their consti-
tuition. All that is asked is a just
judgment and the schools will abide by
the result
NORMAL SCHOOL.
The year has been one of marked
prosperity for the Normal. The annual
enrolment was Is. Number remain
ing to date 10. Number of graduates
6.
During the year the Normal was call
ed upon for SO days of substitute work
In every instance the work was taken
up by some member of the Normal
school. At no time were we compelled
to adjourn room. Not any time has
been lost to the pupils by the necessary
absence of a teacher.
In a corps of 81 teachers an efficient
substitute corps is necessary as fire.
quently sickness or circumstances at
home render ii impossible for a teacher
TO be present. Often the request for
substitute does not reach the office until
an hour or less time before school opens
In such cases it would be impossible
without our present efficient means, to
supply the place without loss TO the
school by delays or unqualified substi-
tutes. This phase alone warrants the
existence Of the Normal school.
Last year we were called upon for
fourteen teachers to supply vacancies
in our corps. The substitute list of
Normal graduates and other experience
ed teachers made a safe means of sup
plying this demand. The unframed or
inexperienced teacher is too often an
expensive experiment. The most in
innate acquaintance with the work Of
the Normal is urged. The more init
mate the acquaintance with its work,
the more manifest will be its utility and
efficiency.
The annual commencement of this |
department was an event in its history
The large and appreciative audience Of |
repre- sentative patrons who listened TO
the exercises, was a sourc of satisfac-
ton and encourag cement to the manage
ment.
HIGH SCHOOL
The present year has been red let |
ter one in the history of this depart |
ment. The largest enrollmnt and the |
largest class graduated in the history |
of the school.
Annual enrolment (boys, 40; girls, |
1881 S36. Number remaining at date, 26s. |
Per cent of attendance for the year, 81. |
Average daily attendance, 2S4.7. Num- |
Der of tuition pupils, IL. Amount of tut |
ton collected S16950.
The percentage of Withdrawals has
been less than any preceding four years.
the crowded condition
OF the school. particularly in the first
year classes. good work has been done.
With increased room the usefulness OF
the High school will be increased. 1t
has grown beyond its present quarters
and the future of the school makes the 1
demand for more room imperative.
While this may neceSsitate the expendi-
ture of some money. it is a cause of re-
joicing, as II indicates a healthful con-
dition in the school and q growing pub
lie appreciation of its advantages.
Additions TO the reference library
have been made from time TO time dur
ing the year. Some by purchase. 9TH
srS by donation. Several beautiful pic
lures. in addition TO what we already
had, have been given by the pupils and
teachers. The spirit of this school has
always been a source of great satisfac-
sAv, IL, IA -, - IL. -. 4
In class work. the school aims 10 de-
velop the pupils in all habits and char
acteriticS which go TO constitute the
best manhood and womanhood.
With the same cordial. hearty sup
port which it has enjoyed in the past,
The future Of the city High school will
grow brighter with succeeding years
The best advantages in secondary
public schools are not too good for the
boys and girls who Will some day be
he men and women OF this city. The
annual commencement at which 40
5oung men and women were granted
diplomas was an event Of great inter
st and benefit 10 all interests The
ttentiYe and repre- sen tative audience
vas a great compliment 10 the class
md the school. 1t has never been my
pleasure. in twelve years of such work,
o have an evening OF such marked sue
eSs in every detail. The excellent or
Ter and attention. and the absolute abb
ence OF any disturbance Of any char
Icter. were sufficient evidence Of the
Wisdom OF the board in restricting the
lumber admitted TO the seating capaci-
V Of the hall When * is considered :
hat the expense incurred upon such
occasions. with economical manage ,
naur q amounts a fv,roS- N S1S5 The Wis I
Iom Of the board in requiring this oc-
aston 10 bear its own expense has met
With quite general favor.