The Anaconda standard., 1896-03-06
The Professors Report on the Con-
diion Of the Schools.
HIS VISIT TO SALT LAKE
He Is Much Taken With the Sys-
tenn Adopted There-Average
Daily Attendance. 3.i55-
Many Accommodations.

schools, and made q number of recon-
mendations, as follows: Since the ad-
dition Of three extra teachers, we are
much more favorably situated for sue
cessful work. BY the transfer of pupils
from the first to the sixth grades we
were enabled to reduce the crowded
condition of nine rooms in our three
main buildings. the Parrot and West
Centerville.
Miss Halle Hill of Louisiana, Mo-,
is in charge of the sixth grade at the
Scandinavian church; Miss Flora Dun
can OF Virginia City is in charge of the
new annex to the Parrot school on
Watson avenue. with third and fourth
grade pupils, and Miss Margaret Fitz-
gerald of the substitute corps was plac-
ed in charge of the second and third
grades at Allen chapel, corner Mercury
and Idaho streets"
This gives us in all q buildings to
look after. which is more than double
the number we ought to have. If High
school building is to be erected the
coming summer and the Parrot and
South Butte buildings enlarged by the
addition of about four rooms each, we
shall probably be pretty well equipped
for the coming year. We are convinced
that our schools, as a whole. are in a
very good condition at present, and
would be glad to have the patrons and
trustees inspect the work at any time,
and assist us by their criticisms and en-
couragement. Public education is the
one great subject in which our people
have strong mutual interest, and up
on which they should be thoroughly in
formed and united.
The present condition of harmonious
action, pride and interest on the part
OF all concerned, is very gratifying and
should by all means continue. Herewith
hand you the statistical report for the
school month ending Feb. 21, which
shows a gratifying increase over any
previous report. There is also given the
grades reaching the highest standing
in attendance and punctuality. Think
Ing such data might prove of some use,
1 have compiled from records obtained
from various sources a report showing
the number of teachers, pupils and
standings each year from 1887 to 1896,
Including six months of the present
school year. / also furnish copies of a
report prepared by Principal Mckay,
showing the enrolment in the High
school and graduates each year since
1880. Herewith is copy of the list of
library and supplemental books select
ed and approved by the state superin-
tendent of public instruction and should
be purchased as soon as the amount of
money available is determined.
The two days spent by me last week
In the public schools of Salt Lake City
proved profitable trip. Expecting to
md good things, / was not disappoint-
ed. The trustees, superintendent. prin-
cipals and teachers gave me a cordial
reception and afforded every opportuni-
ty for the inspection of every grade and
department of work. The handsome
and commodious buildings recently
erected for pupils In the common school
department are models In every partic-
ular There are no gloomy Easements,
and every room is properly lighted,
heated, ventilated and seated. The ven-
tilation, especially, was the most nat
ural. perfect and effective system
ever saw. During the last five years,
the citizens of Salt Lake have been
united in a liberal policy looking to the
establishment of a first class system of
public free schools, and there is to-day
abundant evidence that their labor and
money have been well applied. There is
an enrolment of about IL 900 pupils un-
der some 300 teachers. The High school
has nearly 500 members. with a grad
uating class of about 40. The facili-
ties for thorough scholastic and prac-
tical instruction are modern and am
pie. They have a decided advantage,
in that all books and other school sup
plies used by the pupils are furnished
by the district, thus saving more than
25 per cent. in the cost, giving a greater
variety of books and assuring a con-
stant supply for each child. which is
impossible by any other system. Their
course of study and requirements ad-
NIT of the promotion of any pupils at
any time they are found able to do the
work of an advanced class, but II is so
arranged that promotions in the High
school occur only at the beginning OF
the school year. which is a great ad-
vantage.
The regular work In the grades and
High school rates fairly well with that
done by or teachers and the order and
discipline may be said 10 equal ours.
The average of attendance and pune |
tuality is something below our record. |
Corporal punishment is inflicted there |
much more frequently than in the |
Butte schools. The instrument applied |
is a short piece OF flexible rubber hose, |
which as yet is neither copyrighted nor |
patented.
"A line of work especially interesting |
to me was the special instruction given |
by certain experts employed more es- 4
pecially to teach the teachers. These |
consisted of specialists in penmanship. |
drawing, vocal music. physical culture /
and a supervisor of the primary grades /
below the Fourth. Naturally, the SUBJ /
jects constantly inspired and coached l
by enthusiastic specialists who show |
tihe teachers and pupils just how TO do 4
the work make the best showing. / /
present for your inspection samples OF /
writing and drawing running through /
all grades and representing average
work. II is needless for me TO say that 4
this is superior TO the penmanship and
drawing in the Butte schools. but no
better than we could do in a single |
year with the same facilities.
by far the best work l saw done
IN the primary grades. where the
teachers are under the inspection and
training of Miss NJ. A. Holten, grad
uate or the Oswego. y. Y, state normal
school. She is an indefatigable work
er. fun OF zeal and methods. and her
labors result In the laying OF such a (
foundation as makes the higher work
easier. surer and vastly better / re- /
gard DIR. J. r. Millspaugh as a very (
and thorough superinten- |
dent. well deserving Of the confidence |
and support he receives and entitled