Evening star., 1898-12-22
Conditions Imprayed,

Says Mr.. Cook: The relatively larger in
crease in the average enrolment and aver
age daily attendance than in the entire en-
rolment indicates an improved condition
in the degree of permanent attendance and
permits larger opportunity for availment OF
school benefits
For effective school work permanencc
in attendance is an essential factor. In
these schools there are very many whose
attendance is too limited for the attain
ment of appreciable result. This fact is
well evinced in the changes shown in the
enrolment of pupils from month to month.
As these large fluctuations are of annual
recurrence, they present matter for con-
Sideration as to the ways and means by
which the pupils OF this class will suffer
loss of school opportunity. They vary in
their attendance from that of a few days
to that Of large portion of the school
year. On their return to school. either i'm
the current or in a subsequent year, the
loss of opportunity in the interval is often
so great as to forbid in the graded school
that classification which their degree of
attainment suggests.
Kindergarten Branch.
There are in the kindergartens those Of
tender and more susceptible years than
thos' embraced by the public school pro-
vision, whose systematic training under
intelligent, appreciative and cultured direc-
ton will not only insure to their lives prop
er moral and intellectual bent. but will also
greatly facilitate and intensity aim and ef-
Tort III all future school pursuit. No other
school popuat ton can present greater need
of. nor ripper field for. this early training.
Almost helplessly weigh ted with centuries of
unfavorable condition in the past, and with
present environment largely inimical to
proper moral and intellectual growth, many
of the homes are incapacitated to give to
these children of tender years that care
and training which insure noble and use
tul manhood and womanhood.'
Mr.. Cook states that most of the school
buildings are in good condition. although
there are, however, a few with defects Suf
hcientiy grave to demand earliest attention.
He says that for the immediate relief of
the present enrolment in the schools ire
Spective of accommodation to meet the an
nual increase and the needs OF others not
Yet enrolled. three eight buildings and
sites. one in each of the three divisions.
are sorely needed. The first should he
located in the ninth division at some
point west of the Briggs school The sec
ond should be located in the tenth division
at some point affording easy transfer of
and Slater buildings. The third should be
located in the eleventh division and south
east of the Randall school.
Work in Duplicate.
Concluding, Mr.. Cook says, after refer
ring TO the fact that many complaints as 10
interference with the work of the regular
school have been removed, lin my opinion
it would be better to have in each division
of these schools two Kitchens two sewing
shops or parlors, and possibly two shops
in the first year Of wood working. Through
such provision the complaint above named
could be removed. as the accommodation
would be sufficient TO instruct al the same
time the entire class from the regular
school. These kitchens and shops should
be so located as to afford to the graded
school a good degree of accessibility. Not
more than one shop of any kind in any
one building would give distribution
which would least interfere with accommo-
dation for the graded schools.
In the building of new schools there
could be provided in some, to the extent
needed, a room of suitable size ana ada pied
to the intended use. and in its occupancy
any room previously taken from existing
graded schools could revert TO IFS former
use. Owned accommodation is favored fer
these kitchens and shops, because of the
difficulty now experienced in the effort to
rent suitable rooms in localities which offer
a good degree of accessibility to the graded
schools