Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-11-18
DURANGO
SCHOOLS

The diplomas isued to the gradu
ates of the high school are of five
clases-A. B, C, d and E. according
10 the amount of work credited to
the recipient. Glass A is given fol-
the maximum amount of work and
class for the minimum. This ar
rangement will provide for the vary.
ing ability of pupils. since the plan
is elastic enough to accommodate the
brightest pupil and at the same time
provides for those hampered by phys
ical or mental conditions. as well as
adverse circumstances.
The work Is reckoned by points, a
point being the credit given for one
recitation per week for half a year
The classification for graduates is as
follows:
Glass E represents 1913 to 1876
points, inclusive.
Glass D represents 1856 to 143
points, inclusive.
Glass G represents 144 to 151
points. inclusive.
Glass B represents 1862 to 159
points. inclusive.
Glass A represents 100 or more
points.
Heretofore at least 16O points of
solid literary work have been requir-
ed of candidates for graduation, max
ing very heavy course, no allowance
having been made for the variations
in pupils mental and physical powers.
This amount was in excess of that
required by the Denver schools. which
is 144 points, a considerable part of
the work being manual.
Besides being heavy. an entire lit
erary course is not practical for the
average graduate, since many pupils
% no farther than the high school,
and need to be fitted for active life
along other than literary lines. But
should pupil desire it, the course
may be as heavy as his strength and
capability permit, since class A rep
resents 100 points and upword.
Some of last years graduates had as
many as 180.
1t seems that some such scheme as
the above. in connection with the elect
i've system now in use, should settle
the question in this community Of
why boys do not graduate.
The window gardens in the school
rooms are flourishing and very attract
i've. A uniform system of decora-
ton is being practiced, the unsightly
lard pals being covered with crepe
paper in tones of red and green. The
attempt is made to obtain as many
ri tnftn Nf ,1ov v,fc 1NI =,
they may serve the purpose of in
struction as we'll as an esthetic and
ethic use.
Increased facilities for cleanliness
have been provided. Lavatories
have been plcead on each floor COM
pletely equipped with soap, water.
comb, towels. changed every alternate
day. and mirror. The benefit of
these additions from a sanitary point
. of view is not to be lightly estimated
OF course. the old proverb, "Cleanli-
ness Is next to Godliness" still holds
good.
The practice of exchanging reading
books from one room to another has
.sbeen discontinued this year. The
books to be used in each room during
the entire term were placed there be-
fore school commenced. These books.
constituting the Room Library, will
remain in their respective rooms until
school closes. The danger of trans
mitting contagious diseases by NOV
ing the books. from one building to
anothor 10 thuo ovoidad uapco tho
current report that scarlet fever was
carried from the Longfellow building
to the North Side by this means is
false.
Every precaution is being taken by
the school authorities to prevent con.
tagion. The cloak rooms are well
ventilated and the hooks for cloth.
ing placed as far apart as possible
eThe former practice of monitors col
lecting and distributing wraps has
been abandoned.
The Annual State Teachers Associ
alton meets in Denver this year on
December 26, 27 and 2S. Superin
tendent Downs has been asked to take
the Affirmative side of the question
should the Elective Syste nbe In
troduced Into the High School p
Mrs. e. o. Price has been asked tc
lead the discussion on the Norma
Institute" a paper by ]. f. Shook
county superintendent of Weld co,n
ty