The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-24

cases OF diphtheria among the pupils of
the Butler school and cases in the Chest
nut street school caused such an appre-
hension that the school buildings were
unsanltary, that the buildings were
closed. The Butler school lost ten days,
the chestnut street school twenty three
Gays 1t was suggested that entire
changes OF the sanitary systems should be
maze at large expense, and with long de-
lay; put the com mittee, believing that
the opinion Of the Board of Health should
DC decisive, urged that the schools be re-
opened as soon as they were made safe
TO a time when the school work would
not be interfered with. The health of
school children cannot be too carefully
guarded, and anything prejudicial to
that should be reIneaied; but 1t must not
be overlooked that they are exposed to
dangers more obvious and frequent in
their own homes than in the schools, and
that no perfection of plumbing in the
latter will obviate the defects in the for
mer. The chief risk to the pupils is from
the close association with those who,
coming from unhealthy houses, bring
with them the germs of contagious
diseases
No word from the committee III COM
mendation of the patient, faithful and
intelligent service of our
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
are needed. They have raised living
ness in the boys and girls of this city.
The profession OF the teacher has double
aspect. They perform public duty in
training those under them to become
good citizens and educated members of
society; they fulfil duty to their in
diy1dual pupils in fitting them to take
higher places in trade, business or pro-
fessional life. Such profession should
be one of the highest dignity and the
public should accord to the good teacher
something of the Difference and respect
which compromises those In high judicial
positions for a meagerness of salary that
poorly rewards their merits.
The committee would again give ex-
preston OF their appreciation of the work
in the schools of the superintendent, Mr.
Lord. Much of their excellence is due to
his constant supervision, his wise sugges-
tions and his unvarylng tact and go cd
nature. He is the executive Of he board
and performs many duties which nossother-
wise occupied committee could not attend
to. His long experience as teacher, and
his familiarity with the school system of
this city enables him to give good advice
in the settlement of questions that come
before the board and to meet the emer-
gencies that require immediate decision.
Quick to recognize the merits of innova-
tiOns that will work advantage, but not
carried away by enthusiasm over every
fad of the so-called educators, he is an
invaluable aid to the course of education
in this city, and gives that element Of
nj fn Of
eminent, otherwise lacking with the
frequent changes in the personnel of the
committee.
The report was accepted as the report
of the board.
Mr.. 3. A. Gray was elected taker of
the school census at a salary of 5000.
Bills were approved to the value of S1O,-
076.S4
The reports of the teacher of music and
teacher Of the Deaf school were received,
of which we make these brief abstracts:
SINGING SCHOOL REPORT.
Mrs. Merrill, the teacher of music made
her report. She says the work in music
for the year has been unusually good, and
will compare favorably with any in the
country. The daily drill of fifteen
minutes has produced striking effect
upon the ohildren's voices, when con-
Quoted by teachers whose aim is to follow
faithfully the suggestions and instruc-
centage of those who do not sing is less
ening every year. Our method of develop
ing theory through practice is now quite
all understood by teachers. The training
school teachers have received the usual
instructions. The exhibition in the gram
mar schools at the close of the summer
term was very fattering. The new series
of music readers and chart placed in the
schools, have proved very simple to teach,
and the Cicilian series has given great
satisfaction. There are schools where
clean, whole books would be very accep-
table, although the schools generally are
well equipped.
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.
From Miss Taylor's report we learn
that there are sixty-four pupils in the
school; thirty nine girls and twenty We
boys. Seven girls and five boys were dis
charged or died during the year. DR..
Pudor has been of great value to the
school by his kindness and skill. The
combined system of teaching has prov ed
its superiority to the pure oval method.
The older boys go out into the shops and
do good work and the younger boys re-
oeive instruction in the Manual Training
school with most satisfactory PROCESS.
Several changes of teachers are noticed
as occurring during the year and high
tribute paid to the devotion to the school
of Mr.. W. H. Brownson of the COM
mittee.