The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-03
CENTRAL FALLS
SCHOOL BOARD
HOLDS SESSION

The regular monthly meeting of the
school committee was held last evening.
and all Of the members were present.
The principal business was the listening
TO the report of the superintendent OF
schools.
Chairman Freeman reported that a
committee OF which he was a member.
which had been appointed to arrange a
readJustment of studies and hours at the
high school had conferred with Princi-
pal Overton and that an agreement had
been reached.
The annual report OF Superintendent
Mowry was then read. and the following
is an abstract relating TO the crowded
condition OF some OF the schools on the
west side:
with the opening OF the West Side
grammar school crowded conditions
throughout the city. and especially In the
western section, were relieved. We had
previously been forced for several years
through lack OF proper school aceommo-
tions. which, 1 trust. may never again
be tolerated. The results or this relief
have been apparent In Improvement In
many directions. No half time classes
grade schools during the year. Children
have worked under more cheerful and
neditnlul COudltlOnS Inc strain upon
the teachers has been lessened Teachers
have been able TO Investigate more thor
oughly the reasons for absence and tar
diness and to make more effective their
efforts 10 promote regular attendance
Consideration OF the needs OF the individ-
ual pupil has formed an increasingly i'm
portant element in the school work One
principal I'm her report voices the senti-
ment of the majority OF the teachers
whsn she says Conditions have never
been as favorable for individual work as
md sAo1 1t..W
have proved their appreciation OF this
opportunity. The backward children have
received the necessary additional atten-
tion and several are reported as showing
very marked Improvement The effect
Of working under normal conditions is
seen In the number OF children promoted
from each grade. the percentage OF pro
motions being the largest we have ever
reported.
There has been som comment during
the year that the opening OF only four
rooms at the new school proved that too
large building had been erected that
with a decreased registration our former
accommodations would probably have
been sufficient. These statements result
ed from ignorance OF school conditions
and needs and fortunately. made little
impression. The average number Of pu-
pills to room for the primary and gram
mar schools during the past year. based
upon enrolment. was Al upon the aver
our average registration per room had
been higher than that OF the other cities
and the majority OF the towns OF the
state. II now more nearly approaches
their figures. The average number OF pu-
pills to a teacher in Providence county.
based upon the number belonging. accord
ing to the last report OF the commissioner
Of public schools. was 49, one more than
Is represented by our figures under the
improved conditions which we now enjoy.
The average for the state Is 80 two less
| than we report Similar figures recorded
| for the other four cities Of the state show
Providence with an average Of 35. New
port 26. Pawtucket 80 and woonsocket 40.
The erection of an eight-room building,
when only four rooms were needed for
immediate use. proves the economical
foresight OF the city council and the COM
mittees who had the matter In charge.
The argument that money has been need
lessly expended in erecting a building
which Is too large almost invariably fol-
lows the construction OF a schoolhouse.
II was heard when the Washington street
school was built In 1895. Three rooms
only were oened at this school during the
| first year. The natural growth OF the city
and the increase IN the school population
soon filed the building. which few years
later was so crowded as TO necessitate
half time classes" in the lower rooms.
The vicinity OF the Wet Side grammar
school affords the largest opportunity for
growth OF any section OF the city. The
school will All rapidly. One additional
| room, perhaps two. will be in use next
| year. IL is never wise economy to erect
a school building with view to present
needs alone.
The committee on supplies was ordered
to purchase two new typewriters, one a
Remington and the other an Underwood,
for use at the high school.
Reports were received from several OF
the departments and they were ordered
printed I'm the annual report.
The resignation OF Miss Amy Allenson.
n teacher in the Garfield street school.
was read and accepted. and Miss Amy
Moies was appointed TO I'll the vacancy.
Overseer OF the Poor Charles r. Frost
was appointed TO Issue work certificates
during the temporary absence OF the SUI
perintendent from the city the next few
weeks 1t was voted TO hold the next
monthly meeting on Sept. 13. The usual
batch OF bills was allowed.
An application from Miss Jessie Barber
OF Cumberland for position as teacher
In the high school was read and filed.
Superintendent Mowry formally called
the attention OF the committee to the
loss sustained by the death OF Miss Cora
Belle Thurber and her excellent qualities
as teacher.
WAR VETERAN DEAD.
Michael McKenna. veteran OF the civil
war died at the home OF his brother,
John McKenna, Wednesday night at the
age OF 65 years. He had lived In Central
Falls since he was seven years old and
during the war he served In the navy.