Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-08-11

In order TO carry out this plan in the
most satisfactory manner, II will be
necessary to graduate tho present
senior class in February and next
years senior class also in February of
that year, the commencement cXur-
ciscS being held in June as usual. This
will give each class three ana onr-half
years course instead of four years.
Apparently this is loss of Il half year
IA each class. Such is not the case.
however. as both classes are now do
ing work from two to four and one-haif
months in advance Of the work u:.i,aI.
~ required of pupils who have been i'm
school the same length of time MS
they. The present sessions gradual
ing class will therefore have accom-.
pliShcd. in three and Onc-half years.
nearly the work that former classes
have done i'll four years, while next
sessions class will have completed
the entire course. In my opinion the
ScIni-annual promotion system is an
admirable one II is working well.
hut naturally will moi he seen ut It's
best until the plan is fully Inaturrtl.
It's use affords an accurate and salts
factory method of grading. In case of
Il pupils failure there is only four and
onc-hnlf months loss in time rs against
nine months under the old system. 1t
docs not ncccssitatc The purchase Of
more books than the annual plan, but
" does make the pupil more thorough
III the books he studies. rs the time
Tor promotion is never far in the flu.
tire and is therefore constantly before
him as an active incentive for good
work
lnHSmnRb II e
plan has been made, H. would seem
best for the board to take some dciin.
tie action in the matter at this time
SO that both teachers ana pupils. at
the beginning of next session. may
have clear idea of what is cyprctc1
Of them.
Reducing the Grammar Course
Z. The work of reducing the gram
mar school course from eight to seven
years most difficult problem, has
nearly been accomplished. BY June
| he next this will have been done.
The change was made possible by the
seml-annnal promotion system. the MI
pills being advanced more rapidly than
formerly. This rapid advancement
has not been entirely satisfactory, yet
we think II a much better plan than
To have abolished The eighth grade
studies by the pupils of tho seventh
grade. the seventh by those of the
sixth, ami SO on down to the lowest
grade, has been deemed the wiSost
plan to pursue. This plan, as I'M.
dcrsand, has met with the boards
sanction and approval. yet If there is
any question about the matter, it an
pears to he vol to have the plan
formally approved anu adopted
Music and Drawing.
j. II is understood that the services
OF the supervisors of these subjects
have been dispensed with on account
OF the lack of necessary funds and
not on account of opposition to the
teaching of these subjects. AS the
financial stntus of the board Inns been
materially changed since their former
action, and as the surplus now on
hand Is much larger than was expect.
cd respectfully call the boards at.
tHntion to these very important
studies and trust that their teaching
may be placed on the same efficient
basis rs formerly. Having had only
one years work in music, our pupils
and tcnchcrs as WELL havo knowl
edge oi the subject that Is nj hes:
only rnilimcntary. Tho work can not
be advanced properly without spe
cial teacher tn direct il, and | hone
INC board may see fit To give lis n mn
steal director. Much could he said as
to tho moral, disciplinary and general
ctncativc value of this branch oi
study, but il seems unnecessary To SET
this before yOu as understand yoI
are practically unanimous in your an
prevail of its being part of our curri
/ rnlnm 'Hhn
MS in the teaching of drawing. though
the difficulties arc much less apparent
feel confident that this board will not
take any action that will handicap tho
efficiency Of our school system in an,
way unless tho lack of adequate linan
ccs compcls them To II. trust. there
fore. that y0n will carefully consider
this matter. and that yon may sec YOU
way clear to give us special teacher.
to direct these departments.
Teachers Salaries.
!. That good teachers should re
ccivc good salaries no one will ones
ton. 1t seems that some distinct ion
as to salary should be made bctwcci
teachers of good and fair rating. Thi.
difference in salary rating determined
by the board from The reports of tho
principals and superintendent will
ii is believed, prove great incentive
to excellent work. In the High school
Miss Edwards has been teaching fol
three years, receiving the same saar,
as she received when she first came
here. Miss Edwards is most excel
lent teacher and a thorough discipline
rian, we'll worthy of n liberal increase
in salary. yet she is receiving for hcl
services $40 per month less than tho
lowest rated male teacher. Again
Miss Evans, n most competent princl
pal and n splendid teacher in every
| WHY hlS hnnu cnnuncIol With tll