The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-28

oSl4OoA
rolls showed an attendance of 1856 pu-
pills, while the current expenses were up
wards of $4,000, while almost an equal
amount was spent on capital account in
providing new buildings, grounds and
furnishings. This rapid development has
taken a good share of money and energy,
both Of which have been contributed
without complaint and the ratepayers
when called upon by the school board
to vote money for the building of new
schools or the purchase of grounds have
yet to give an adverse vote. The school
buildings are nearly all constructed Of
solid brick on stone foundation. : A typical
building contains three stories and a base
Ement and usually consists of, about
dozen rooms. Special attention has been
given In all these buildings to the prob
lens of lighting and ventilation with the
result that all buildings constructed within
| the last decade are models for health and
comfort. In the matter Of school grounds
good foresight has been used and large
grounds secured before residences were.
thickfy built In the yneighborhood Trees
and shrubs were planted at once and the
tby large park-like playground, d boon.
to the boys and girls and pleasure and
recreation ground for the neighborhood.
These grounds now cover a total area Of
l. about thirty-five acres and constitute a
II valuable asset. However, the work Of
providing school ,acconm odation -s1s not
completed. With new schools being built
every year the school capacity is always
near the limit and the present indications
are that for years to come two or three
=. new schools will have to be added to the
list annually to meet the requirements OF
e the increasing population. There is no
r doubt, however, that this VIII be done as
e cheerfully as it has In the past.
There are, some features in the man
agement of the schools and in the pro-
> gram of studies that deserve special men:
. ton Winnipeg was early in. the list o.
: cities to discard the written eXamina
5 ton as a basis of promoting pupils. The
: sole responsibility of promoting a pupi
:. now rests with the teacher, who Should
- know a childs ability to understand thu
- work of the next higher grade better thar
:. any written examination can tell. Th
result has been highly satisfactory ant
- cases where children have been promote!
= and found unable to do the work OF tn
- higher grade are almost unknown. II
- addition the pupil is relieved from tn
needless worry and strain of looking ahea
: for months to the coming examination
:. His progress depends on the general wor
of the term and not on few week
- Cram" for; examinations. The program
of studies in addition to providing TO
u tnoro instruction in the ordinary branche
~ of mathematics and English makes spe
- cial provision for instruction in music
ie s drawing and physical drill. Special teach
= ers are employed as supervisors In eac
- of these subjects, and the board hay
le always gone wherever the most suitab
persons could be obtained for these spt
'o7 cial subjects. It was talented Mime
apolis lady who was first employed to IL
;. troduce a thoro system of musical il
, struction into the public school and 81
~ not only succeeded in doing this but al
~ succeeded In making this subject attra
ne. tive to both teacher and pupils. Her mot
ity twas every child who can hear and ia
nd can learn to, sing" The truth of tn
he statement can be verified by uny one WI