The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-01

The school committee met In regular
session in the lecture room OF the Classi-
cal high school at o'clock last evening,
President Barney in the chair. and
quorum present.
SUPERINTENDENT Tarbell reported that
the enrolment of pupils In the pubic
schools for thee quarter ending Nov. l6,
was as follows:
High schools. 1880; grammar schools
$500; primary. 1888; special. 3Ss; kinder
garten. 1881; total, 2,5l3
'.The increase over the corresponding
quarter last year is as follows; High
schools, iS9; grammar, 50 tdecrease); !;
primary. 2l6 special, So kindergarten
240: total increase. $50
..rhe changes in text books are prov
ing beneficial. The school committee mas
had three lines of policy I'm reference 10
school books for evening schools. FIRST
that the evening schools should use the
discarded books OF the day schools
Second, that they should have the
same books and OF the same quality as
the day schools.
Third, during the present season the
policy has been TO use books not used IN
the day schools, for the threefold reason,
first, in this way books better adapted
TO evening schools could be obtained; sec
ond that better grading could be had
by detaching the pupils from the books
and parts of books by which he recog-
nized his day school grading, and third,
that thereby We secure fresh ard unhack-
neyed matter for the pupil.
This plan has already shown its value
and has been adopted in other cities"
Superintendent Tarbell also gave a
table showing that there were fewer new
pupils than last year, and, hence. the
increase is not the result of any external
conditions. There were drawn into the
schools s23 pupils TO a second seasons
work. where last year there were but 47s
Mr.. Gardiner, for the committee on ac-
counts, reported upon 121 miscellaneous
bills amounting to sIo.3725 The bills
were allowed and ordered paid.
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
Mr.. Morgan, for the COMMITTEES on an
nual report. read the report of the COM
mittee for the years work, In which he
called attention TO the address of Presi-
dent Barney at the celebration OF che
centennial OF the establishment of the
free public schools In the city OF Provi-
dence, and also the report of the superin-
tendent on that occasion.
I'm regard TO conditions I'm the schools
subjects First-Drinking water. The
water itself is, and must be. unhltered
city water, unless n system of general
filtration is introduced That however
does not depend upon the action OF the
school committee. Second-The method
or drinking the water now is for all
children to use the same or a few com
mon cups or glasses. This is an unwhole-
some unhygienic and often a dangerous
practice; which, moreover, is not neces-
sary.
III Mr.. As child has tuberculosis.
diphtheria, typhoid fever scarlet fever
or any other communicable disease he
ought not TO be In the school, but he
may be there in the early or late stages
OF his case. Mr.. BIS cnlld ought not To
be obliged or allowed 20 apply his clean,
healthy mouth TO a cup that has lust
been used by the former child. Some
cities have already moved I'm this dlrec-
tion. Providence has not
The common use of other articles ty
school children, such as books, s'aias.
sponges or pencils, IS open to similar
criticism, and should be abolished as rap
idly as possible. This subject has bee1
referred to at length in former annu,
reports. and ii is gratifying that a very
decided advance has been made In the e
directions In many OF our schools TT .
greatest care Is essential and progress
should be constant
Next, as to the medical inspection in
schouls. providence has not yet moved
I'm that direction The school Is nor
haps. waiting for the health department
TO act. Let ms not wait too long. 1t is
believed that daily inspection of all
schools Is not practicable or necessary
I'm this city, but there should be a suf-
fcient number OF school doctors an
pointed or employed who shall be avail
able for service In any and all school
rooms as inspectors, critics and advisers
If they are needed. The first work would
naturally be TO interest the teachers by
lectures and Illustrate how TO be vigi-
liant and intelligent I'm detecting the early
symptoms OF disease. or other conditions
that should not be allowed TO go on un-
Questioned I'm the school room.
Beyond doubt there is much for tho
school doctor TO do. and IL is only mat
ter Of time when this fact win be realized
and appreciated. Ii is simply the duty OF