Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-03-22

of the pupils of the school at present
are preparing for college. The Rock
Island high school is on the aceredit-
ed list of nearly all western colleges
and universities and most of the east
ern ones, except where examinations
are required of all candidates for adj
mission as students. The school is
examined annually by some of the
large universities and never has an
adverse report been made concerning
it.
The library selected since the old
one was destroyed consists of LOO
volumes, secured at no expense to the
board with the exception of purchas-
ing an encyclopedia and three die
tionaries. Mr.. Darby declares it is
a better working collection of books
than the old one was. improved upon
| by few schools in the state and one
that cannot be duplicated for the
sum of 81 800. In this connection the
report says:
| Reading is a fundamental art in
any system of education. Conse-
quently we feel that we have accom-
plished great deal, if at the end of
the first year, our pupils are so train
cd that they, can study well from
books. that they can find collateral
references in the library books and
report with accuracy to their teacher
what they have found"
The Business Department.
The value of the business depart
ment is very clearly and forcibly set
forth: The prevailing idea in the
operation of this department is not
that business men can be turned out
to order; it is rather that certain es-
sentials of business can be taught
which will be a benefit in any future
occupation, and that the chief bene-
fit still lies in the training in neat
ness, accuracy and the development
of business sense by practice i'm bus
mess operations. 1t is more than
business training, it is educational in
every sense. The pupils are kept in
this department four years. This
year VIII be the first that any have
completed the course and the aim is
TO have them superior from every
point of view to those of the average
business college graduate. As mat
ploma from this department. and
consequently recommend. any person
who is not considered entirely quail
fled to do the work for. which they
have prepared"
Athletics Upheld.
Athletics are treated at some
length and their beneficial effects
pointed out. In addition to the ben
Gifts accruing il is urged in favor of
encouraging and controlling athletic
sports by the faculty that some sort
of athletics are bound to be had by
the pupils and the better way is to
accept the responsibility of guiding
them into the proper channels. After
explaining some of the requirements
made of pupils participating in ath-
letics Mr.. Darby adds:
lin short. the athletics of the high
school are very carefully looked after
and not allowed to Interfere with the
school work They rather aid it. Dis
cipline is made much easier by this
means and higher degree of respon-
sibility developed among the pupils
Noon Lunch Problem.
The fact that - pupils live over -
fore not allowed to go home for dim
ner is urged in favor of setting aside
Il lunch room each, for the boys and
girls, i'm the basement of the new
building. The suggestion is also made
that il will he we'll To follow the plan
adopted successfully in Al number of
places by providing some sort of
warm addition to the MONDAY meal,
which can he done AT nominal cost
borne by those who enjoy thee ben
Gifts.
Mr.. Darby points the board TO its
duty i'm providing a night school
where the young who are compelled
to earn their own living can obtain
instruction in the common branches
during the evenings. The hope is also
that way will be found To
take up manual training as part of
the school work next year as is
Being done in all well-equipped high
schools. For the girls the teaching of
the household arts, such as sewing |
and cooking. is deemed of Importance |
equal tn instruction i'm any of the |
branches they are now taught.