The Washington bee., 1899-01-28

slbliItleS greater, and their pay less
than that of any other class of public
officers of this District. We fear that
the Importance of their work is imper-
fectly appreciated.
KINDERGARTENS
The notable addition to the system
this year has been the introduction OF
kindergarten schools, Supt. Powell
expressing his satisfaction in the
following words;
am gratified to be able to state to the
board that judging from the outlook
at present, | believe we have started
our klndergartens under conditions
that give warrant of success to them.
The teachers who have been employ
ed are persons who for the most part
have had experience and have
proven their worth 1t was wise,
believe, for the board of trustees to re-
quire of applicants for teachers posi-
tlons in our kindergartens prepara-
ton, scholastic and technical, as broad
and eNacting as those required of can.
dldates for. positions in onr graded
schools.
MANUAL TRAINING.
For the.manual training department,
increased facilities are asked in the
shape of a Manual Training High
school, where our boys and girls NAV
be fitted for work in any of the re-
numerative fields ofinduStfial activity.
NIGHT SCHOOLS.
Ofnight schools, the report urges that
they be extended to include MANY
of the suburban places not heretofore
provided for. The ringing words of
Supt. Powell in connection with these
schools show his deep interest. If,
says he iii his report, the night schools
are to be simply places where persons
who are not otherwise provided for
can get salaries. they would better be
closed and the money either returned
TO the treasury or be given to some
purpose that will benefit the communi-
ty at large. 1t is not profitable for this
any other community to open school
room doors, warm and light houses,
| and pay salaries for the instruction If
| people presenting themselves at night
schools unless teachers are employed
who thoroughly know their business,
and besides knowing what to do are
lmbued with a philanthropic spirit
or feeling toward their fellow man.
His recommendations for compet-'
ltive examinations for all appointments
wilhmost certainly keep our schools
to the present high standard A
weeks holiday at Easter also suggest
ed will meet with general approval.
SUPERVISING PRINCIPALS.
The report for the supervising prin-
cipals submitted for them by Mr. Isaac
Fairbrothers, is an exposition of the
work of the Schoolroom, showing
clearly the correlation of the studies.
Could this report together with the
one made last yerr by Mr.. A. t. Stew
art be printed separately and have
appended some general methods of
presenting the subjects it might be
possible to secure a very intelligent
cooperation from parents to whom it
might be distributed. | think the
benefit derived would more than pay
for the expense.
The report of Supt. Cook shows a
very satisfactory condition of affairs
in the colored schools with the eXcep-
ton that many of the schools as high
! as the fifth grade have been compelled
to run on halliday time owing to tine
lack of schoolrooms. He makes an
urgent appeal TO remedy the deplor-
able condition by erecting new build
ings in the over-croWded localities. 1t
may be stated here that much good
cooperative work might be done by
our citizens in such localities by COM
bining their efforts with the school
officials.
The new feature of the schools this
year has been the introduction of kim
dergarten schools, which have proven
very satisfactory. Supt. Cook paws
gracious tribute to those public spirit
ed ladies of the Colored Womans
League for their work in helping to
engraft this department on our local
, system. The very excellent results
! attained by placing the primary
schools in the hands of special di-
rectress give proof of the wisdom of
the change. The report for these
primary schools, is one of the most
interesting dealing with the work in
the formative period of child life
The report of the directress of music
deserves special mention as showing
how in very short time the work in
this department has been unified.
The work in tone building has been
largely dwelt on, and the aesthetic side
of the child has been cultivated and ap-
peal to through selected rotesongs Too
much Importance can not be attached
to the training of ch Ids voice for
which nature herself has done so
muco. Music is now not a pleasant
pastime, but thought study which
not only builds the brain but eIevates
the soul.
Tho reports for the manual training
cooking and sewing schools show
progress and very satisfactory