The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-15
.INTIME FOR HOLIDAYS
SCHOOLS CLOSE DECEMBER 20 AND
REOPEN JANUARY 4.
1904 PUPILS IN ALL SCHOOLS.
AN INCREASE OF 300 OVER DECEM-
BIER A YEAR AGO.

Schools Are Thoroughly Organized
and Work Moving SmOOthIy-Miss
Charlton Given Leave of Absence
to Inspect Physical Culture work
in Atlanta SchOOIs-Tenchers in
st. Patrick's school Advanced to
Pill Vacancy Caused by Resigna-
tiOn-Miss Nettie Christian Elected
Assistant Teacher at Same school.
The Board of Education held it's De-
cember meeting last night. Routine
business occupied the greater part of
the session. The matter of the great
est interest to the general public is
the action of the board deciding to
close the public schools on Wednesday
afternoon, Dec. 23, for the holidays.
They will open again Jan. 4.
1t had originally been planned to
close the schools on Dec. "A but gem
eral desire was expressed by teachers
and pupils that the schools close one
day earlier in order to allow time to
complete holiday shopping and prepare
for Christmas. On motion of Commits
sioner Stovall the board unanimously
voted to close on the 23d, and reopen
Jan. 4.
At the meeting were President Mer-
Ger and Messrs. Saussy Blum, Estill,
Myers. Stovall, O'Byrne, Adams, and
Dunn. The first item before the
board after the reading of the minutes
was the report of Supt. Ashmore.
Tor
The report was a short one, dealing
principally with the conditions of the
schools. The total enrolment in all
the schools of the city and county is
1904 an increase of 355 over the num-
Der enrolled on Dec. l, 1902. OF the
additional number enrolled, seventy
four are white and PSI are colored. All
of the schools are in good condition
and work is progressing satisfactorily.
Upon the call for reports of the
Visiting Committee Col. Mercer report
ed that he had visited the West Maple
Street colored school, the school which
was opened this year Everything was
found to be in. excellent condition.
A visit was also made to Chatham
School No. l. The new principal, Mr..
Thompson, has everything in good or
der and the discipline and general tone
of the school was reported as very good.
In speaking of the physical culture
feature, the committee reported that
the exercises were not concluded with
the vim which was to be expected.
On motion of Judge Adams, the sal
airy of Mr.. Ferguson, assistant to Supt.
Ashmore, was increased $500 a year
The increased salary will date from
Jan. l.
The Physical Culture Work.
Miss Sara Charlton, directress of
physical culture, was granted a leave
of absence to visit the schools of At
lanta Immediately after the holidays.
Miss Charlton now has the physical
culture work in the Savannah schools
moving smoothly, and desires to in
spect the methods used in Atlanta. The
system used there will be fully explain
ed, and any excellent features found
will be incorporated in the schools here.
The salary of Miss Dbrsett was placed
at One-half the fixed amount during
her illness.
A resignation in the st. Patricks
School was filled by the advancement
of the teachers in regular order. Miss
Nettie Christian was elected to the po-
sitiOn of assistant teacher
President Mercer reported that at the
order of the board he had sold the
Southwestern Railroad stock for ST.
$50. This amount had been turned into
the treasury of the board.