Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1903-09-24
SCHOOL BOARDS
MONTHLY SESSION

The regular monthly meeting of the
Board of Educationswas held Monday
night. Present, Turner, Watson. Err
rickson. Hamlyn, Coyle, Service,
Trenchard. Hort. Laning, Reeves.
(President). Parker.
Resignation of Miss Minnie Babcook
as teacher was received and accepted.
The following applied for positions
as teachers Miss May J. Hemsley
and Miss Florence Horner.
The report of the Superintendent
was read, from which we extract the
following:
The usual heavy enrolment at the
opening of the schools in September,
meets us again, intensified somewhat.
by the law governing child labor.
The children affected by this law was
an unknown quantity to us. both as
to numbers, and attainments. We
found large percentage of them to
be fitted for the third grade, and of
the sixteen pupils waiting for seats,
thirteen belong in the third grade
rooms. These will not be out of
school for long, because as the teach
ers become acquainted with Lupils, a
child here and there will be discov-
cred who can do the work of the
fourth year. Besides this, in a few
weeks, workmen who have left the
town will be sending for their fami-
lies. Thus. it is confidently expected.
at your next meeting, it will be re-
ported that all have seats.
These conditions at the opening of
school always gives rise to criticisms.
Some of these criticisms are in q
measure we'll founded. because it is
impossible to meet the individual for
some days. Many other statements
made in the early year are grossly
untrue. These are usually given cur
rency by those who are piqued because
some especial privilege could net be
accorded their children.
Mistakes in distributing pupils have
been made, and no doubt but that
some Irregularities still exist, but in
the main. children are attending
school with as little inconvenience to
themselves or their parents as is pos-
sible.
The increased enrolment over Sept.
of '92 is fifty; distributed entirely
through the primary grades.
Enrolment by schools: Bank ST..
627 against 5S5 last September; Pearl
St, $50 against sos last September !:
Vine St.. 1856 against 499 last Septem-
ber; South avenue. 1856 against 419
last September; Irving avenue, 1853
against 1853 last September. The gain
in Bank street and the loss in South
avenue is more apparent than real, be-
cause small children living in South
avenue district are in the nearer Bank
street school.
OF the sixteen waiting for seats,
four are in Bank street. four in South
avenue. and eight in Pearl street.
We're these in single district. it
might be desirable to temporarily
open another room. Principals and
teachers have in all instances been
earnest in their cooperation towards
adjusting conditions to the best inter-
ests of the schools.
In making up the supply list. it al
ways occurs that a few things are
overlooked. or if ordered, the amount
is short. This necessitates rush or
ders at the opening of school. When
an order comes from school. after it
has been endorsed by the principal,
and the Superintendent has examined
it.and knows the supplies are not on
hand, if the order does not call for
goods amounting to over five dollars,
maysnot such order go to the dealer
without the signature of the purchas-
ing committee? This is in the inter-
est of time saving alone.
The states ordered by South avenue
are too large for the new single seats.
May we be authorized to exchange
them with the dealers, if it proves
feasible?
I have many notes. and some copies
of courses Of study. and much cor
respondence with other superinten-
dents; from all this, as I find time
during the year. it is hoped new
course Of study for our school will be
written for your suggestions and ap-
proval by next September. The course
shall be written with the view of
having our pupils study along lines
that willvprepare them to do the spec
ial work of the approved high school
course. when, in the Judgment of the
Board, the time is propitious to en-
tail the necessary expense for such.
When pupils finish the prescribed
course, they are given diplomas. The
studious. well disposed pupil receiv-
tx,c< <s..o 4 Il. 1.