The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-05
NOT YET READY
To Give Teachers Long
Leave of Absence.
Time Not Ripe for This City
20 Take Initiative.
some Suggestions From Mrs. Eelen
u. c. gepdrics.

The following report was So omitted at
tho last meeting Of tho school committee
from the special subcommittee appointed
TO Investigate the adyisability of giving
teachers N the public schools who have
served for many years a long leave Of
absence without loss Of position.
The report was in substance as follows
and was read by Mrs. Helen NJ c. Ken
drick:
To secure the most efficient service
from the teachers Is the object of all our
organizations and our efforts. We need
not only 10 select as teachers tho persons
best adapted to the work of teaching, but
also 10 make the conditions of their work
the most favorable possible. Whatever
affects the health of teachers, personal
Improvement. or their satisfaction IN
their. work or their enthusiasm for il,
affects most seriously the results obtained.
The report then goes on to say that
wore il not for the annual midsummer
vacation. most of our teachers would en-
durc their work for but a few years
considerable number of our teachers
would be greatly benefited in health ami
spirits, and their usefulness To the schools
increased, If, when health begins TO fail
or Weariness TO destroy choerfulness,
long rest could be- taken without anxiety
rs TO retaining positions The teacher on
the verge of breaking down, struggling TO
keep in school for few weeks longer be-
fore giving up, is doing herself IA sad in
jury and usually the schools harm.
The Demands Tor Study.
The demands for study on the part OF
teachers are greater than ever before. In
these DAYS when fairly good and rather
haphazard work is no longer tolerated,
nor should be- when the standards are
higher and the ways in which TO attain
TO these standards are plainly seen the
ambition for improvement often selzes
teachers and they see clearly that with
better preparation their work might be
higher in character, and more comfortable
in accomplishments
IL is for our interest 70 encourage
teachers To improve hy every meSns in
our power. If they are willing To spend
time, money and effort in study, IN
travel in observation Of the best work; III
after such expense they are 10 return To
us better fitted for cheerful and cheering
work, surely we ought to give every oncour-
agement in our power to the struggles
for personal improvement in whose profit
the schools may share.
Vacations for Professors.
The committee then calls atenttion TO
the fact that professors mt Brown, Har-
ward and other colleges are permitted To
leave their positions for study and travel
and goes on to state that in indianapolis
there is "A fund called from the donor the
Gregg Fund The income of this fund Is
at the disposal of the school committee for
any purpose that will improve the public
schools. The committee, as the most
profitable employment of this fund, has
set apart portion of the income of 1t 20
support teachers who are engaged In
special studies. Usually one teacher is
sent to Europe for years study, and an
other studies ut approved schools or makes
desired Investigations in this country. To
the one going abroad. $1,000 is given for
the year, To tho other, 500 These teach
ers are selected by the school committee,
and engage to teach five years in Indian
apols after their return. The schools
have been greatly benefited by this plan.
The teachers selected have brought back
to Indianapolis the best Thought and the
best practice of Germany and the United
States. BY teachers meetings, by model
classes, and by their work as supervisors
and critics, they have made other teachers
partakers in their gain. These teachers
have shown to the body Of indianapolis
teachers the growth and improvement that
a years stuay under the best conditions
can give, and have inspired them to study
also. The uplift to tho schools has been
noticeable even to ordinary citizens.
No Funds Available.
The Anthony Fund is the only dona-
tiOn the city has ever received i'm behalf
of the schools, and that is for excellence
among the pupils, so the school commit
tee has no money TO use as the Gregg
Fund is used I'm Indianapolis.
As the small amount of information at
our command does not show that other
cities are now doing any more than Prov
idence TO improve and strengthen the
teachers, and rs the time Is not quite ripe
for this city Co take the initiative la offer
ing teachers an extra vacation after years
of service. the committee simply present
these few statements rs subjects of
thought and move an indefinite postpone
ment Of action on the resolution.