Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-05

Dix street building will then be the only
one of this class remaining,
The school committee have repeated
ly taken positive ground approving the
establishment of a reasonable number
of kindergartens. The fact that twelve
persons were last year elected to the
school committee who had not before
been connected with it, and that all of
these persons lave conceded with the
sentiment previously prevailing, makes
1t clear that this polics vii be steadily
presented and insisted upon by the
school committee. The reasons for this
are two-fold. First, all persons who are
made responsible for the conduct of the
school system. have for many years rec
ognized the kindergarten as fundament-
al and essential to the training Of child
rem. Second, the sentimen. of the city
clearly calls for the gradual introduce
ton of kindergartens.
MANUAL TRAINING.
Acting under the statute requiring
cities containing above 10000 inhabl-
tants to introduce manual training into
the high schools, the school committee
has arranged an optional course in this
department covering the first two years
In the high school. In 1895 ITO scholars
took this course; In 1896 230! in 1897 2SS.
The cooking classes in the high
schools in 1896 had 232 members and in
1897 POI. The ninth grade manual train
ing classes established this year num-
Der SS6 boys and II girls, and the cook
ing classes 1898 girls.
The conclusion seems to be clear that
the citizens and taxpayers of the city
will expect that manual training will be
gradually introduced into other grades
of the schools.
1t is recommended that the manual
training classes at WinsloW street be
transferred to the Mason street build
ing as soon as. it is practicable to trans
fer the pupils now attending Mason
street
The superintendent argues in favor Of
a supervisor of primary instruction. He
makes no recommendation, but says,
I'VE cannot permanently maintain our
present standard of excellence in in
struction without the assistance of
supervisor in the primary department"
ORGANIZATION.
The expense of supervision in the
city of Worcester is far in excess of the
amount spent in any other city of CORE
spending population in the common
wealth. AS new buildings are erected,
lite would be very easy to put one prin-
cipal In charge OF two buildings stu
ated at points not more than ten or fif-
teen minutes apart. Within the last
few years, several large buildings have
been erected on lots already containing
a large school. The expense of admin
istration has thus been diminished very
materially, and this theory should be
carried out much farther in years to
come, in combining the principalship of
two buildings under one head. This is
not intended to suggest that any princi-
pal in office should be deprived of either
position or salary.
Superintendent Carroll, in closing
says: IF our school houses are construct
ed upon q reasonably economical
plan; if our heating and ventilating ar
engagements consume only a reasonable
amount of coal; if we keep within rea-
sonable limits In the expense of supervi-
sion of buildings; and in other respects
practice economy in making our plans
in advance as well as in the business Of
the hour, the amount saved will cover
many times the comparatively insignifi-
cant sums asked for in the introduce
ton of manual training, kindergartens
and other much-diseussed improve
ments that are regarded by the school
committee and by the public in general
as necessary to the rounding out and
full usefulness of our school system.
TRUANT OFFICERS REPORT.
The report of the truant officers for
the year 1897 is as follows: Number of
cases reported, 1884; returned to school,
564; out with good excuse, 177O; visits to
buildings, 2051; number found not at
tending any school, Ill; arrested for
truancy, 20; committed to truant school,
10; cases placed on file, 1.