Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-20

building and the study OF grammar in the
higher grades The series OF language
books adopted by the board last fall has
been partially introduced the introduction
will be completed in September and the
work in language and grammar fully or
ganized.
In other studies only slight notifications
have been made during the year. All
changes made have been brought about by
a gradual transition and the work Of the
pupils has thus not been seriously disturbed
High school.
The year Just closed has been n year of
marked growth and development in the
High school. During the school year 1S97-9S
we enrolled 403 students, closing the year
with 3l4 after deducting the number grad
uated. Last September we opened with SS6
and the total enrolment for this year has
been 44S. After deducting the ffty-two
graduates we closed the last regular month
Of this year with 1853 belonging. class of
eighty five has Just been promoted TO the
High school, so that our numbers will easily
reach 45O In the early months of next year.
The work Of the school has been broad
ened as its numbers have increased. We
now have the studies so arranged that the
students may complete any one of the five
courses, classical Latin scientific, German
scientific, English scientific, business
Each of these courses covers four years
Provision is made for the student who de-
work by permitting, under the direction OF
the principal, a selection of such studies
as he needs and granting a certificate OF
proficiency at the close of his work. The
scholastic work of the school has shown
marked improvement during the year and
additional recognition has been accorded us
by the colleges, for all of which great credit
is due to Principal w. n. Clifford, whose
first year of Jealous, untiring work with us
has certainly been crowned with success.
The question of room accommodations for
the school is now serious one. We have
been obliged to carry class of fifty stu
dents at the Washington Avenue school dur
ing the past semester We shall need to
use two rooms in that building for High
school purposes during the coming term.
The ward school accommodated here is
steadily growing and will soon need the
entire building. The problem of High
schools accommodations now confronting
this board is indeed a serious one.
/ am unable to express my regret over
the complications that have arisen and that
now bid fair to make the erection of a new
building impossible. l understand that It is
not my province to prescribe what buildings
or other equipments the schools shall have
that is a question devolvng for solution
upon this board alone. Personally, am con-
tent to join hands with the principal and
faculty of the High school in the endeavor
to give this city the best High school posi-
bic in such accommodations as the city,
through this board may furnish for our use |
But the school children Of this city, who
fairly earn their promotion to the High
school, are already suffering a deprivation |
of privilege in being compelled to take up
High school studies under ward school con- |
ditions. No city In the state has greater |
reason than Council Bluffs to be proud of |
the young people that constitute its High |
school; no school exists where the students |
more fully appreciate and improve their op- |
portunities In behalf of these young peo- |
pie, our High school students, l make bold |
to recommend most respectfully that this |
board make every effort possible to provide |
adequate accommodations for our rapidly |
growing High school.
Special Branches.
The work in music has been carried for |
ward with spirit during the year. Perhaps |
no other branch of the work touches so |
many of the people as this. In the home, |
in the social circle, in the public assembly, |
all through life, the pupil will have an op-
portunity to use what he has acquired. An |
excellent spirit has been apparent in the |
work of our pupils. Our supervisor, Miss |
Porterfield, has been faithful to her duties |
and the results attained have been very |
pleasing.
OF a more positive pedagogical value is |
the work in penmanship and drawing. Train
ing the eye and the hand only partially ex-
presses the Importance Of the work of this |
department.. II Wouiu De ulore correct u |
say that the powers of observation aud of |
are the ones developed by the |
and practice in penmanship and |
To the attainments made by the !
pupils in this department must be added |
the most creditable results Of the school |
room decoration movement inaugurated last |
fall. The development of true art spirit |
among the children and the beautifying of
the walls of school rooms and corridors en-
titles the various ladies' clubs of the city
and the supervisor of this department,
Miss Blood to much credit and COM
mendation.