Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-07-14
PARENTS AT FAULT
lrregularity in Attendance and Too
Much Hardness Reported
Principal Whitaker Points Out Greatest
Faults in 7rsttIeborO sebools-Not Too
Many Teachers.

Principal Whitaker Points Out Greatest
Faults in 5rsttleboro seboois--Not Too
Many Teachers.
The annual report Of school district
No. is now ready for distribution. The
recommendations contained therein should
be carefully perused by every parent and
voter previous to the annual school meet
ing, which will be held Tuesday evening,
July is, at o'clock.
The prudential committee reviews the
reports of Principal Whitaker and Miss
Tucker, supervisor Mr.. Whitaker points
out that with high school of 175 pupils
we have a principal and six teachers so
that the pupils are divided at the rate
OF 25 to each teacher. Mr.. Whitaker
finds that in the high schools of New
England maintained at a high standard
the average is 21 pupils to each teacher.
He believes we are acting wisely in not
diminishing the number Of teachers in
this department in view Of the fact that
the demands upon the resources of all
secondary schools are becoming greater
each year. Twelve of the % graduates Of
the high school this year will enter col
leges or technical schools.
In answering the criticism that too
little attention is paid to a review Of
arithmetic in the high school course the
committee state that commercial arith-
metic has been studied to a certain ex-
tent by many of the pupils in this de-
partment, and 1t will be the endeavor of
the committee in the future to have more
work done along this line. They also
say: Oral spelling, as well, taken up
now and then as a general exercise, might
serve to strengthen those who are weak
in this important branch of education.
But it must not be forgotten that the nine
years spent in the grades are intended to
cover very thoroughly and comprehensive
ly these fundamental subjects, leaving the
pupils free to take up branches of higher
mathematics, such as algebra and geome-
try, and TO pursue courses in history,
science, the classics and modern Ian
guages, which will prepare them for the
advanced work of the university
OF the change in the principalship of
the high school the committee say: In
the resignation of Mr.. Whitaker to ac-
cept the head mastership of the high
school in Salem, Mass. the district has
met with a decided loss, and we are glad
to place on record our sincere apprecia-
ton of the patient, helpful and inspiring
work that he has done in behalf of the
young people in the community. His
efforts to improve the school of which he
has had charge during these nine years
have been positive and constructive, with
a view to build up character, as well as
to enlarge the boundaries of knowledge.
cess in his future field of service, we must.
at the same time, extend cordial greet
ing to his successor, Mr.. Edgar Burr
Smith, of Plainfeld, n. j., and bespeak
for him the loyalty and willingness to
cooperate. on the part Of the district,
without which the most praiseworthy
endeavors must prove unavailing."
In considering the financial situation
the committee states that we began last
year with a deficiency of S3942,06 and
with bills outstanding amounting to
SS3s.92. These sums have been paid and
a bond of $500 has been cancelled. There
is a a'balance of $47.60 in the treasury, and
outstanding bills of about $50 are Offset
by s155 due on tuitions. There is urgent
need that the plumbing and sanitary con-
veniences in both the high school and
Canal street buildings be thoroughly rem
ovated before the fan term begins. New
desks are needed at Canal street and
other equipment will be called for else
where. In order to provide for these i'm
provements and the regular expenses and
a payment of $2500 on the bonded debt
the committee recommend that a tax Of
65 cents be laid on the grand list.
Principal Whitaker states that the two
most noticeable faults in the school which
need correction are irregulanty of at
tendance and frequent tardiness. He
thinks the responsibility rests with
parents rather than with the pupils, and
that the readiness with which people give
their children excuses for needless absence
or foolish tardiness brings its inevitable
result in the carelessness Of children IRE
garding that fundamental virtue OF
regularity and promptness." Miss Tucker
also touches upon this matter and says
that there was an enrolment of only SO
per cent. as an average attendance. The
enrolment was smaller this year than
last because Of the small primary classes.
Miss Tucker says that as the largest num-
ber OF absences occurred during the weeks
OF health rather than epidemic and in fair
weather rather than foul, the same cause
is attributable as that mentioned In last
years report, T. e., the crowded lives the
young people are leading, making school
of secondary Importance. Miss Tucker
makes important recommendations re-
garding special instruction for backward
pupils. She found through tests that in
ass pupils Sc had defective vision. and Of
these go per cent. had two-thirds vision
in one eye and less than that in the other.
and that IS per cent. had trouble with
one or both ears.