Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-06
THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, AND ADVERTISEMENTS y
EDUCATIONAL.

| The School Board held their regular
monthly meeting last night, with the
following members present d. "A. VIII
| liums, president Il. r. Howell, l.. Nj.
Palmer, l.. p. Slater, John Lawrence. r.
d. Hamilton, w. Il. Baldwin and George
II. Trant.
| The minutes of the last meeting were
read and approved.
All properly approved bills were al
lowed.
The Committee on Building and Sup
piles reported that all necessary repairs
to the schoolhouses had been made.
~ bill of Alexander & Powell. over
which there was much discussion, was
again read and was allowed.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.
Number of schools in operation. 81;
number pupils registered. 1920; num-
Der daily average attendance. 1856.
The very small average of attend
ance. as shown by these figures, was,
due to the fact that there were cases OF
contagious disease near some OF the
Ischoolhouses, and parents became
alarmed to such an extent that they
temporarily withdrew their children
from attendance on the school, This
condition prevailed to such an extent
that the teachers were instructed not
to enforce the school regulations con-
corning absence from school
In the Second and Fourth districts
little progress was made in the grade
work. awaiting the return of the alb
sentees before attempting further adj
vance in the studies
This was contended to be the best
course to be pursued. as the absentees
on numbered the pupils in attendance
in some of the grades
The third and Fifth districts were not
so badly affected as the Second and
Fourth. and yet the work in all the
districts was more or less retarded by
non attendance of pupils.
The schools were closed for the holt
days December 22d. and will reopen
january 2.
There are now but few pupils absent.
and the work of education Will be adj
vanccd as rapidly as circumstances will
permit.
At quarterly meeting of teachers,
held December 18th. the following
change was recommended: That such
portion of the beginners physiology as
relates TO hygiene be taught in the first
intermediate grades, adding oral les
sons uDon the care of the skin, teeth,
hair and nails. position, exercise and di-
gestion; that the intermediate physlol-
ogy be begun in the first grammer
grades that the comprehensive physi-
Iology be begun in the third grammar
grades.
This proposed change In the grade
work should be referred to your Com
nittce on School Regulations for inves-
,tigatlon and report
Inquiry was made of the teachers at
this meeting into the progress that was
being made by the teachers OF vocal
music, and 1t was acertained that 1t
was not being taught systematically in
any of the district schools, the teachers
stating that they have not been prop
erly equipped to enable them to teach
It, JOHN c. ASHTON, Supt.
communication was received from
Professor Willis a. Jenkins, asking the
board to make the term for the High
school four years. instead Of three, as
now, and that French be taught in
the school. 1t was referred to the Com
mittee on School Regulations.
The clerk submitted his report for
the month of December, showing the
amount OF money expended by the
board during the month. On motion.
the report was ordered to be filed
NEW BUSINESS.
MI. Palmer moved that the clerk be
instructed to have n registration book
made. and that 1t be given to the chair
man or the Committee on Building and
supplies, and when anything is needed
n requisition be made for the same, and
the party who fills the requistion
should return the same with their bill,
SO that the chairman can know what
the Dill Is for 1t was seconded.
Mr.. Slater amended it to refer the
same to special committee for exam
ination and report
Inc chair appointed NIessrs. HamIl-
ton. Palmer, Ballentine and Howell.
On motion, adjourned.