The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-10-04

teen teachers are either new to the
CITY or strange to the room they are
now teaching, the schools have never
started with less friction or commo-
ton. Each teacher, whether old or
new, knew at the very beginning Just
how much to do, and how she was to
do it. The explanation of this is found
partly in system, with details def
nitely laid before the teacher in print
ed form, but mere especially in the
unusual degree of good will, the spirit,
of hearty cooperation manifest in the
entire corps of teachers.
"The work of the new teacher of
music and drawing deserves especial
mention. Not since | have been here
have I seen as much general interest
on the part of both teachers and child
rem in both subjects as now. l have
observed carefully the work done by
the children in drawing, and the re-
suite, as compared with those of for
mer years, are very gratifying. A
, special feature of the work is the in
PRODUCTION of weaving and basket
work, which is being done in such
schools as may desire to take it up.
| Its advantage is not alone educational,
although that, of course, is the most
| valuable feature of it. 1t helps teach
| ers wonderfully in getting hold of that
difficult, refractory element which
exists in every school and doggedly re-
sists all efforts at tanning. l should
like to see this and related work in
troduced into all the schools as a regu-
| lar part of the curriculum. 1t will do
for the lower grades what bench work
must do for the higher classes, richly
supplementing book work, and vastl
adding to the general interest of
school work. Put manual training in
! the schools and we shall not have to
! have truant officer.
! I'm the performance of the weaving
work, the children are asked to pur-
chase their own material, nearly all
eagerly complying. There are few,
however, and they are usually just
that class that was just mentioned,
! who have no spending money, and
thereby lose the benefit of the work.
For the sake of supplying these, an ap-
preparation of so is asked for. 1t is
estimated that this will supply indi-
gent pupils for one term.
"During the epidemic of small pox
occurring in the latter half of last
year, the board ordered all pupils not
vaccinated to remain from school.
| Shall the rule be enforced this year or
simply urged? Only very few have
thus far refused to Vacclnate. -
Mr.. Uline presented a number of
samples of the weaving done by the
pupils. They consisted of baskets,
mats, etc.
Mr.. Fletcher objected to this work
being done in school hours, and the
superintendent explained that it was
done outside of regular school hours,
the scholars gladly remaining.
| On motion of Mrs. Smith, an appro-
priation of $40 was made to purchase
material for pupils whose parents are
| too poor to buy it. One or two of
the members thought that the board
should not discriminate, but should
! buy the material for all pupils.
The bills were allowed.
Mr.. Fletcher stated that the pur-
chasing should be done and o. K. ed
, by the same party.
President Davis endorsed this.
The report of the auditing commit
tee was accepted, and the annual re-
| ports of the secretary and treasurer
were ordered published in the Daily
| Free Press and Review.
1t was stated that Theodore Williams
! would insure the boilers at three of the
| school heating plants at So, 900 each for
three years for 1877, in the Fidelity
and Casualty Co. of New York.
The matter was referred to the COM
! mittee on property and expense to re-
port at the next meeting. 1
The salary of the treasurer was fixed
at 5000 for next year and Clark Keysor
| was elected to fill the Office for another
year. His bond was placed at $40, 600.
President Davis resppointed the fol-
| lowing committees
Property and expense, Messrs, Key
sor, Coughlan and Webster
School and text books, Mrs. S NTH
and Messrs. Fletcher and Davis.
The board adjourned.