Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-15
EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
Supt. Tinker's Report on Evening
 Schools Read at Meeting. {

1t did not take very long for the board of education to transact Its busl- ness at the meeting held last evening. 1t adjourned at S:15, the hour at which the old board usually sat down to begin. Mayor Elton was at the helm. The business consisted mainly of the reading of few reports. The first re- lated to the temperature in the school buildings during the past month, show- ing that the average heat was not be- low 65. Some time ago a vote was passed by the board by which the teachers were obliged to keep record of the temperature of their respective !. departments.
 Another of MT Tinker's reports con- cerned the evening schools, which closed last week, and which he has made most pleasing success despite a record of most inglorious failures, as may be seen in the reports of the \ school board prior to MT Tinker's ad- vent here. Following is the report :: To the Board of Education:
 Gentlemen : I would report that on March 2, the sessions of the evening school were closed. Diplomas were presented by Vice-Chairman Charles $. Chapman to nine graduates of the me- chanical drawing department, two
  graduates of the grammar school de- pertinent,
 The growth of the school during the past year has been very marked. There were gains of fifty-six in the total en- rollment, of fifty-six in average mem- bership, and of sixty in the average attendance. The percent of attendance was 10, the highest yet reached. A younger class of pupils in all depart ments was in attendance. This fact IS full of significance, for it shows that those whose education has been incom- plete are taking advantage at an earlier. date of the opportunities offered in this school, for completing or adding to their mental equipment. When the period between leaving school and re- entering upon its duties is short, 1t Is then that the most positive results are secured. Largely on this account the graduates of the Grammar school de- partment for this year have taken 8 high standard in scholarship. Of the other departments. the high school, Swedish and freehand drawing have been ably conducted.
 The attendance in the Italian depart ment was not as large as usual. The mechanical drawing department has z become so large as to necessitate separation of the two classes, as soon as we have the rooms. The new de- partment of chemistry has earned for itself permanent place.
 would recommend that the board seriously consider the adyisability of opening a department of commercial instruction at the beginning of the next year.
 Respectfully,
 R. WV. THINK ER.
 The report was filed.
 Applications from Misses Mary E. Kilduff and Mollie Lord for places on the waiting list of teachers were re- ferred to the proper committee, and 1t was decided that bids for the construc- ton of thesMargaret Croft school shall be opened on the evening of April 4 at o'clock. A fence will be tempo rarily erected between the site for the Croft school and the old high school for the purpose of separating pupils of the latter from possible, harm, and the thanks of board were rendered by vote to Congressman L1lley for his offer of trees for the school grounds.