Rock Island Argus., 1908-03-11
TAKE PRECAUTIONS.
School Authorities at Board
Meeting Decide on Fire
Drill System.
CHIEF HASTINGS REPORTS
States That Az Buildings Have Doors
Opening Outward and Are
Safely Arranged.

The question of fire protection and
fire drills for the pupils of the public |
cation at its regular March meeting
last evening, as a result of the recent
disaster at Cleveland. Chief Hastings
of the fire department was present and
made a report as result OF visits ne
had made to the school buildings in
the city: He stated that he found all
outside and vestibule doors opening
outward in accordance with the law,
and that the halls and vestibules are
sufficiently large to permit rapid exit
in case of emergency. He stated that
he had seen the value of the fire drill
in the exit of pupils from the high
school last Monday in l minute and
I25 seconds.
Fire Drill Plan.
Superintendent Hayden reported
| all the schools and stated that strict
orders had been given that no outside
doors be fastened during school hours.
During the inclement weather of the
winter season the drills had not been
| held as frequently as desirable, but
drills will be held at least once week
hereafter, and where the pupils are
not, accustomed to the methods of the
| drill it will be held twice a week for
a short time. The pupils are to be
| drilled in passing out of both front
and rear entrances of the buildings.
| The fire signal is sounded on the
school gong, and consists of three
strokes, pause, and two strokes.
The teachers have been notified to
appoint certain boys and substitutes
whose duty it shall be to open and fas-
ten doors, assist younger pupils in
leaving the building, and boy who
shall summon the fire department
Special command of the pupils shall be
taken by the teachers during the drill.
The teachers are also instructed to i'm
press the pupils with the necessity OF
calmness and selfcontrol in a case of
emergency. The janitors are also CIV
en- special instructions. A complete
1
has been furnished to each teacher.
| The board at the meeting, upon rec
ommendation of the principal of the
high school, authorized purchase of
apparatus needed for work in the
physics department
~-~ Monthly Report.
| Superintendent Hayden filed his sta.
tistical report for the current month,
| as follows: Total number of pupils
enrolled during the year, 3,75S, an in.
crease of 33 new pupils during the
month, There have been 3,430 pupils
enrolled during the month, and 3,257
belonging at the close of the month
which is a decrease of 25 from last
month and an increase of from the
same month last year. The average
number belonging for the month was
l3,296; the average daily attendance
3,0S7; the percentage of attendance
1876; and the percentage of punctual
Iity, 99.S. There were 1911 pupils
neither absent nor tardy, 132 cases oil
Hardness. and 13 cases of truancy.
Convention of Teachers.
The board authorized the schools tt
be closed Friday, April 3, the day pre-
feeding the beginning of the spring va
cation, to give the teachers an oppor
tunity to attend convention of tn,
teachers of southeastern Iowa, wnIcl
is to be held in Davenport April 2,
and 4, upon condition that the teach
ers attend the sessions of this CONVEX
4 tion.
HI Bills Are Allowed.
The board allowed bills as follows
Rock Island Sand & Gravel Co 1892 8
Rock Island Lumber & Mfg Co 71.S
Charles Fiebig .............. IA
4 III & Ehleb. IL