The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-07-12
was warmly seconded by Mr.. James

was warmly seconded by Mr.. James
Osburn. DR.. b. S. Knapp then pre-
sented the name of II. Kirk White for
member of the board to succeed Mr..
Shattuck and the meeting proceeded to
ballot with the following result; Whole
number of votes cast, 435, of which Mr..
White received 275, Mr.. Shattuck. l51,
and Mr.. Byerly, who was already safely
elected without opposition, 0. Mr..
White was thereupon declared elected.
The annual report of the superintend-
ent of schools read at the meeting, was
as follows:
To THE HONORABLE GARD OF EDUrA.
TIoN:
GENTLEMEN:-I have the honor to
present herewith my third annual report
OF the Owosso City Schools for the year
ending June 2Sth. 1901.
The school work OF this year has, in
many respects, been especially gratifying,
notwithstanding the fact that we have
labored under difficulties not encounter
ed in previous years. The first two
grades of the Central district did not
begin school until Jan. LIST, all other
grades of this district commenced school
in September IN the Armory, The high
school held a hall day session in the
morning, while the grades used the
same rooms in the afternoon. On Jan.
LIST the grades below the high school,
found quarters in the new building, and
on March 1st the high school was moved
to the completed Central building. 1t
will be seen that nearly one half OF the
pupils in the city were limited In time,
as well as Inconvenience for some. In
spite OF this the years work was CON-
pleted in q very creditable manner.
Teachers Meeting.
The usual plan OF holding teachers
meetings has been continued during the
past year with one exception, the meet
ings have been more frequent. The diff
cultles ari.ing from teaching seven
hundred pupils in the Armory necessitat.
ed my spending more time with these
grades than usual. To keep in touch
with the grades in ward buildings,
grade meetings were called once week
at which teachers made careful reports.
The object OF these meetings was to out
line the work and instruct the teachers
both In the subjects taught and the best
method of teaching them. The attend.
ance at these meetings has been prompt
and regular, and the spirit enthusiastic.
In addition to these meetings there have
been monthly meetings ofall the teachers
for the study of pedagogy. The text
book used was James Talks to Teachers
on Psychology.
Library.
The fire which destroyed the Central
School building, destroyed the Public
School Library. This was partly re-
placed last January by nearly three
hundred well chosen books. These
books have been in constant use by
teachers and pupils OF the high school
for reference. In addition to the above,
each grade below the high school has
been provided with small library bear.
ing upon the subjects taught in that
grade. The results obtained from the
use OF these books, not only in increased
interest In school work, but in taste
created for good literature have fully
justified this experiment. | would
recommend that these libraries be in
creased from year to year.
Drawing.
During the past year drawing has
been taught three times week below
the high school. This work has been in
charge OF special teacher who has
visited each grade once week, giving
instruction to the pupils and outlining
the work for the regular teacher OF the
grade. The work in the first grades has
been pencil and charcoal sketchng from
memory and nature, paper cutting, and
making simple objects, such as baskets,
boxes, etc, followed by elementary color
less of the cutting and FASTING and more
actual drawing with pencil, crayon and
brush. In the third, fourth and fifth
grades more advanced work along this
line was given. In the sixth and seventh
grades there was continued the accurate
observation which was begun in the
fourth and fifth grades. These obser-
vatlons found expression in careful re-
productions in brush, pencil, and color
drawings.
Music.
Music is a well established part OF our
school course. The work has been in
charge OF a special teacher. for three
years and does not require an extended
report. 1t is found that nine tenths OF
our school children do creditable work
in this subject, and fully one third have
special talent for music.
English,
Interest In the study OF English has in