The times., 1899-05-14

grades and in the high school are given
instructions in hygiene and drawing.
Drawing is made one of the prominent
features of the curriculum The develop
ment of the artistic sense is commenced
in the first grade, and continued in the
studies OF each year through the last class
of the high school.
Cid Spying system Obsolete.
The practice of watching pupils close
ly during school hours is fast dis
appearing. 1t is necessary to great
er or less degree in the lower grades,
but in the high schools it Is being found
that placing a pupil upon his honor is
conducive to better discipline and better
results from studies. Recently in the
high schools new system of marking was
introduced The change from giving what
practically amounted to a percentage mark
to a standing of favorable or unfayorable
was questioned by many Of the teachers on
the ground that pupils. so long as they
could attain the satisfactory mark, would
be perfectly satisfied to do only medium
work. whereas before they were securing
excellent percentages. The following ex-
tract from the last annual report of DIR.
| F. R. Lane. Supervising Principal of the
/ High Schools CT the city, goes TO show that
these fears were not well founded:
Reports Of principals and teachers show
| that there has been no falling off in the
1 effort of the taught, but rather a better
kind OF work and an improved product,
while not few young teachers have been
professionally strengthened.
! ITO educate $500 students through NOR
| al force and the inspiration of personal
| character exacts from the teaching corps
! the highest type OF professional knowledge,
! the broadest resources. the keenest under
standing OF the young. and the warmest
I fbx-t tbav nj and
tations of youth.
That we have much of this high ability
| is readily demonstrated by this crucial ex-
pertinent. Further trial is confidently ex-
pected to extend the amount. The whole
Z teaching force is new freed from the bonds
of the marking system and struggling to
develop mind and character Of the highest
order"
Another advanced feature of the meth
I cd OF instruction is the practice of giving
| the pupils a practical demonstration of
| the work which they are engaged in study
| ing. Every opportunity is taken to permit
the pupil to go into the fields in the sur
rounding country to study botany and
| geology. They are given opportunities to
visit shops and manufacturing establish
ments for the purpose of comparing their
efforts in manual training with the prac-
| tical work done in the world of produc-
J ton.
| The students in drawing are encourage
| to go with their teachers to the many
places in the city where they can study to
| advantage works of art and the prevailing
styles of architecture.
Keeping Pace With Events.
From the time when a boy or a girl is
| old enough to understand the current
events in politics and science. he or she is
| instructed to keep well posted by read
| ing the newspapers and magazines and by
| visiting the halls OF Congress as often as
possible. Indeed. every new idea which Is
| likely 10 produce good results Is tested
and If proven beneficial to the pupil. Is
given a place IN the method OF teaching.
| Another important matter is the special
training required of the teacher before he
or. she can secure position TO teach. The
rigid requirements in this direction have
done much TO add to the effectiveness o!
the instruction of pupils.
Since Mr.. Powell became the superin-
tendent. improvement has been made along
every line. The public school buildings
have received proper attention. Every ap-
pliance for the successful prosecution oi
studies has been introduced. The sanitary
condition of every building has been made
as nearly perfect as possible and every
modern appliance looking TO that end has
been installed. The matter Of ventilation
has received a great deal of attention and
the adjustment of light and heat has beer
made matter of careful study.
District school Statistics.
The larger proportion of the school
buildings in the District are of moderr
construction There are ITO of them, and
at the close of the fiscal year ending JUNE
80, 1898, there were 1883 pupils enrolled,
% 81 of whom are white and 1887 col
ored. The total cost for the maintenance
of the public school system for the veal
| 1898 was 81, ,14o, 716.4S, and the averag'
cost of instruction for each pupil based OF
the average daily attendance was S2S.91
At the close of last June there were 1,l0'
teachers employed.
! The following are the members OF th'
Board of School Trustees: Job Barnard
i George H. Harries James w. Whelpley
DR.. David H. Hazen, Jesse H. Wilson
Mrs Miranda B. Tulloch, Ellis Spear, Rev
Sterling N Brown. Thomas H. Wright
DIR. George H. Richardson, and Charlott
! +. Grimke.
The officers of the Board are: President
James W. Whelpley; secretary, ]. G
Falck; superintendent of schools, w. T
Powell; superintendent of colored schools
! C. F. T. Cook, A. NJ.
The supervising principals are: DR.. F
,, r. Lane, high schools; C. s. Clark, frs
/. division grammar schools; n. p. Gage
. second division: A. T. Stuart. third divis
ion: Isaac Fairbrother. fourth division
B. T. Janney, fifth division; w. B. Patter
son. sixth division; ]. R. Keene. sevent
: division; J. T. Freeman, eighth division
, ninth division, vacant; DR.. ]. H. n. Har
, ring, tenth division, and E. w. Brown
eleventh division.