The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-30

The meeting of the principals of the
county schools met Saturday morning
in the office of Superintendent j. c. Tay-
lor. 1t was their annual meeting and
among the matters discussed were the
condition of the schools, the compulsory
education law, the county institute,
local institute work, evening lectures,
night schools and the county course Of
study.
1t was reported the attendance in the
schools of the county is the largest in
their history and that the directors are
enforcing attendance laws better, many
boroughs having appointed attendance
officers and supplied the teachers with
blanks, ETC.. for carrying out the pro-
visions of the law. Several directors
reported that all to whom the law ap-
plies are now attending school. In the
valley the breaker boys are attending
schools in large numbers. Old Forge
has the greatest attendance, its twenty
teachers having 1900 pupils to instruct.
Several rooms have been opened in Old
Forge for the special instruction of
mine boys.
This plan of taking care of this tenn
porary school population was commend
ed and will probably be generally
adopted by other boroughs of the wall
ley. Superintendent Taylor advised
that night schools be opened as early
as possible and not later than Oct. l to
relieve the day schools by providing
for the boys and young men now on
strike.
COUNTY INSTITUTE.
With reference to the county institute
the superintendent said he engaged the
new Y. M. c. A. hall last February in
tending to hold the institute the last
week of October. He is now informed
that it will be impossible to have the
hall ready for use then. The opinion of
the principals was that if it cannot be
had so that the institute may be held
before the holidays that it would be
better to hold it in the court house for
another year.
Last year local institutes were aban-
doned and reading circles established as
the teachers had two new studies, civil
government and algebra to cope with.
They now have IA good start on the
new branches and the principals
thought it good idea to go back to
the local institutes, to which the pub
lie may be invited.
1t was also proposed to establish two
lecture circuits each containing about
five centers and to arrange lecture
courses for the winter. This has not
yet been definitely decided upon.
With reference to the county course
of study a committee was last year
appointed to prepare course to be
used throughout the county but their
work is not completed. The principals
advised the superintendent to appoint
a new committee and to carry this work
to completion as early as possible.
LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
In the afternoon there was a meeting
of the County Library association which
was organized May II, 1902, it's purpose
being to give an opportunity to teachers
to see and read the latest and best
! books on teaching, school management
and history of education. An extra
committee was appointed to make
SclectlOll OIL DUCKS. lHe uDJcCl VI lIie
| meeting Saturday was to hear the re-
port of the executive committee on
books chosen. Prof II. N. Barrett of
Jermyn, the chairman, read list of 10
volumes and this list with a few
changes and additions was adopted.
Mr. Barrett was directed to purchase
the books. In addition to professional
works some fifteen volumes of history
and biography We're chosen. About rs
teachers have already joined the as
sociation and it is expected that at
the county institute nearly all the
teachers in the county will unite with
this organiza ton. The enrolment fee
was fixed at $3.50 the annual dues at
81.
Teachers wishing to join the associa-
tion can send their names to Prof d,
II. Krise of Maytield, president, or to
John A. Moyles of Jessup, treasurer.