Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-03-06

Watch the boys spinning tops, and how
eagerly the non-p ossessors rush to the near
est dealer, or anxiously look for chance to
spin their neighbours. As anxious and IN
terested are the boys and girls to do scien-
tifc and art work in the laboratory
Facilities to do laboratory work should be
wisely provided for either in the rooms or
in separate laboratories.
To give motor experience and direct that
innate desire to do something, we need
manual training and domestic science for
the child twelve years and over. In the
wise provision of this kind Of work we see
the best means to retain the children in the
upper grades,
Corrective and developing physical train
ing are needed by Ipany,9and all would be
greatly benefited by it. Carefully directed
gymnasium exercises, and an abundant I'M
restricted play in the open air are of vital
Importance. There has been an opinion
prevailing that Fairgrounds are an obsolete
factor. This likely can be traced as origi-
mating in large crowded cities where land
is extremely high, and in places where an
unusually large number Of accidents have
occurred because of oyercrowded school
grounds In places where at all possible,
there should be a spacious playground
allowing special space to be allotted to the
various kinds of play and athletics. Who
will dare condemn the boys in spowball
ing contest when they are removed from
proximity to things that can be harmed by
the fun? There should be enough space so
as to remove all danger to Others and to
property, and freedom allowed.
The lack on the part of the parents of a
just appreciation of the education offered is
due, perhaps, to this more than to anything
else: thing of which person is almost OF
altogether ignorant is neither interesting
nor appreciated From the faithfulness
with which they attend to their duties, and
from the unselfsh interest that each takes
in the work of the schools, we may justly
conclude that, of all of our citizens, the six
members of our Board appreciate most
| highly the work Of the schools This APP
probation was gained only by the expense
Of much time and thought. If all the citi-
zens were as fully informed concerning the
work of the schools and their needs, there
might be like interest and appreciation
shown on their part. A modest pamphlet
setting forth the work and the motives and
principles Of management sent to the
homes Of our citizens would do much good
IN Gn1S ulrecUlOn.
So as to make room for the constant
larger number of pupils in the high school,
| it has to be determined whether it is wiser
to refuse admission to the ''pay" pupils, or
to employ another teacher and give them
and our pupils the advantages of better
instruction.
1t becomes necessary in the near future
to consider arrangements for securing adj
ditional rooms When the matter OF more
room is considered the following needs in
their order should be the guiding motives:
1. A reduction of the number of pupils
per teacher in the grammar grades.
2. The provision of room and an adj
ditjonal teacher for the larger number in
the high school.
8. The INTRODUCTION Of kindergarten
schools. 81
4. Laboratory facilities for science work
in all grades.
/ 5. Facilities for teaching Of manual
| training and domestic science.
/ 6. Facilities for gymnastics, and larger
| space for unrestrained outdoor play.
After a thorough study Of the conditions
| that confront US and careful comparison
of school work done the world over, the
only apology for this report is the desire to
give our boys and girls the full benefit of a
good modern system of education, to aid
the Board in a wise guidance without an
excess Of labor on their part, and to direct
sight so far into the future that costly errors
may as much as possible be avoided.
Woodbury., N J., E. j. FREY,
Feb. "a, 1902. Supervising Prin.