The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-11-25

session in the library OF the Classical
High school building. at S o'clock, last
evening, President Barney in the
chair and quorum present
superintendent s report was reaa
and received. and Mr.. Gardiner FOR th1
ON accounts, reported lhal
50 miscellaneous bills had been exam
ined and approved. and they were or
dcred paid. the amount being $I65'.49'
Or. William II. White from the COM
mittee on annual report then MADE
quite an exhaustive report, Of when
the leading features were as follows
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
The schools opened as usual in Sep
tember, 1898, with no Indication thar the
routine OF former years was not To Dd
carried out i'm al departments, ana the
report of the executive committee CIV
ing IN detail the exact financial stand
ing OF the school department, with the
deficit i'm plain figures and the dlsnldl
prospect, came as revelation allke 70
the people at large and TO nearly an
who were connected with school WORK
The report then gave a detailed ac-
count OF the several steps taken IN lhe
school matters last fan ana spring to-.
s,alher with the action of the citizens
committee and the city council
The report then says that the indirecl
efforts of the agitation and changes OH
the schools may not be so dehhltc.S
named. but were none the less real. ga
/ condensa "A month's school work into a
I period OF two weeks. and that NJ lhe
end Of the year, IS not good thlns lol
teachers or scholars, but on the olhti
hand, the Increase in popular knoWl
J edge and interest regarding uhe puD!'
] schools was an excellent result
1 promote Acquaintance DesWeen parents
| and Teachers several informal reccp-
tions were held i'm school buildlnss
and the school committee welcomed IN
quiry AMI investigation.
EARLY CLOSING OF SCHOOLS.
Perhaps 10 many teachers and pupils
and parents as well. the early CLOSING
of the schools was "A welcome change
indeed arguments may be advanced ~
favor OF shortening the regular school
wear 70 81 or SO weeks, thereby closing
IN schools before the middle of June. IL
is believed by some that as much work
could be as well and as safely accom-
--t.ll slaa in -tha-S ShnnteE- XeAE.- -pLnXldlIE II
were properly arranged from the De-
ginning. II would be interesting TO know
what proportion OF teachers would elect
TO teach nine months each year at the
same rate per month, thereby missing
one tenth of their salary but gaining
month outside the school room.
THIS calls attention to properly con
| Quoted vacation schools, wherein
teachers Aho need employment MAJ
find II. and children who must remain
I'M the city may be kept off the streets
well watched over, and taught man
useful things.
Sucb schools have passed beyond tn
experimental stage in some cities, AM
are destined 10 increase.
HEALTH or THE PUPILS.
The report Of last year as to th
health of public school children Is ol
the whole favorable. Certain ddNels
conditions still exist and IL sometime
seems necessary TO seattoO many pupli
in "A room which rs unfCrtunate IN
} close association OF children faVors TN
spread OF cOntagiOn. AZ far as pos
sible each child should have a complet
outfls OF books and other Implement
of school necessltv. which are not |
be used or touched by any other chiiC
The use of the common drinking cup !
not wholesome. and may be dangelou
TO health.
Probably however. the chief cause
, of the prevalence and spread OF con
tacrous diseases in our schools ar
first. the failure 70 recognize and ~,
aate mild cases; and second an ~
sufficient period Of isolation. The nal
+ ter Of medical inSpeO,.on i'm the puf
lie schools has not been tried In Prov
dencc as A. has I'm some other critic
The school committee and teache
would doubtless cordially approve
anv advances made by the hoalth g
, partment. The heatins and vendatii
of sCnool rooms is we think IN mo
] "a n lf11
/ stances OF complaints that rooms n
too hot or too cold. or Of the present
Of had odors the fault lies In the maj
; aeement and adjustment OF the mcai
: provided.
: In the line Of couiensing school woi
4 teachers should have enough TO d
and lazy and indifferent teachers ma
/. need urging. but m case OF hrst-cla'
| teacher. one jealous and Interested 81
is likely 60 do too much " the work
given her This should never be aliowt
: 10 occur. The work OF the supervisors
! physical training is OF great value
the school children. Correct physic;
. habits are developed and faulty on,
are corrected
INTEREST IN THE SCHOOLS.
. II is desirable that interest in I'll
public school question may steadily 81
crease, AN we note with pleasure On
" recent organization of the Provideu,
e pu0lic Education Association which as
m surCs a vigorous and intelligent line
=. action and investigation worthy OF M
!. peoples attention and support. Whi
n n careful and rigid economy should an
,r ply to the school department. as ,t
i one of the most expensive. we Clai
n that the schools of thls city. compalg
an lively speaking have not been extruvt
cauly or wastefuNy managed. Indce
it has been shown that Providence WI
spending less than 90 per cent OF n
total income from taxation FOR d
ay schools, while five 9th New Englal
Ne cities were spending 23 90 20 per cent
ne An appropriation was requested T
or this school year upon an economic