Evening journal., 1908-03-18
621-23 Marker ST.
ANNUAL REPORT
ON SCHOOL SYSTEM
Continued from First Page.


made by law is the largest single item in
the annual budget Of the city, and every
ollar at our command has been judicious-
ly expended. and has been made do the
most for the purpose prescribed. But in
spite Of the most scrupulous care exer-
cised in the management OF the schools
we find our revenues inadequate, and we
are certainly facing deficits at the end
Of each school year. and it would seem
wise to devise some way or some means
whereby our revenues may be increased
am aware that the financial condition OF
the city is such that we should look care
fully to all our expenditures and practice
the strictest economy wherever we can DO
so without damage to the interests Of the
children; but we are under moral and
legal obligations to maintain the highest
standard Of efficiency in our schools. and
as public-spirited, patriotic citizens we
dare not evade or shirk our responsibility
to the future citizens of this city and
state" The members Of the board are
commended for the care and considera-
tion given to their work. for the spirit in
which all the problems and duties Of the
ton Of the function and dignity Of the
Board Of Education"
Public Library a Potent Auxiliary.
The reports Of DR.. Twitmyer and other
heads Of the schools take up every mat.
ter in connection with conducting the
school system In speaking Of the public
library, Superintendent Twttmyer says
"The public library has continued TO be
a most potent auxiliary in the reading
language. geography and history work in
our schools. Arthur L. Bailey, the ac.
complished librarian, has shown a most
sympathetic interest in our scrool work
by his advice and direction. The instruc.
ton Of Mrs. O'Byrne, the juvenile librar.
ian, to the children and the teachers in
the selection OF books was invaluable and
put many of the best and most suitable
books in their hands that otherwise might
have escaped attention.
Parents Are Interested.
In speaking of exhibitions Of children's
work, Miss Mary c. I. Williams, assistant
superintendent Of schools says:
trhe interest of the parents Of the
Schildren in the Wilmington schools
has been shown in the increased at
tendance, at the exhibitions of the
children's work. Miss Jackman, of
school No. IL, who has a number Of
foreign children in her school, secured
the cooperation Of the wife of the
pastor Of the Presbyterian mission IN
the neighborhood, and with her as an
interpreter visited twenty-nine italian
families. These families represented
hfty-two children attending the school.
Twenty-nine Of these people repre-
senting twentythree families came to
the exhibition. Seventeen of them
were parents. The women were espe-
cially pleased with the sewing. They
sa wthe necessity of sending their
children clean If they were to do such
work neatly. Knowing these parents
personally will be a great help to The
teachers.
More Room is Needed
Miss Edwina B. Kruse, principal OF
the Howard School, No. 16, presents
for the consideration Of the board the
need Of adequate roo INTO carry on the
work The school is greatly cramped
and teachers and pupils are working
under serious disadvantages and in an
uncomfortable manner. She asks that
a primary school be opened on the east
side to relieve the pressure. She also
recommends a four-year high school
course instead Of three years, equally
In the interest Of those students who
desire to go to college or to meet the
demands of life The review Of the
work accomplished during the year
win be instructive reading to those
who are especially interested In the
work Of this school.
The report of the juvenile librarian
lis Of special importance. Mrs.
lO'Byrne says: in October, 1905, the
Institute Free Library distributed
among the public schools 47sS books
for circulation in the schools. From
october is, 1906, to March 2S, 1907, !
visited twenty schools and addressed
sixty-si xrooms. In three schools
Nos. II, IA and 17-need Of a large coll
lection is imperative; in one case, No.
IA. the demand having been so great
as to necessitate restricting pupils to
a certain number Of books. In those
schools teachers report that the school
collection furnishes reading matter for
all the members Of the pupils fami-
lies"