The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-07-17

In its special report the prudential com
mittee calls attention 10 the success OF tn,
school year Just closed, and mentions the
changes which will be made in the teaching
force, Ii speaks in praise OF the reports
of the principal and supervisors, referring
especially to the resignation of Miss Mar.
guerite Tucker and the excellent work she
has done in the schools. The committee
calls attention to the fact that Miss Good
enough will teach manual training this
year as well as drawing, and that room
is being fitted up in the basement OF the
high school building where the boys in the
| higher grades may learn something OF car
! pentiy and the girls will be given the OPP
portunity to study needlework, basketry,
etc. In consequence OF the establishment
of this branch the summer school will be
| given up after this year. Reference IL
made to the establishment OF commercial
course and the engagement of q new as
sistant teacher, Miss Clara l.. Carruth,
who in addition to teaching the technical
subjects is qualified to supeTintend the pen
manship OF the entire school. After max
ing mention OF the repairs and alterations
in progress in the high school and other
buildings the committee concludes its re-
port by recommending total tax of %
cents. This includes the special Scent tax
and the payment OF the remaining 5000
of heating apparatus bonds at maturity.
The report of Principal Smith opens with
brief reference to the social life of the
school and the efforts OF the teachers to
foster healthy school spirit The state
ment of the Washington fund account then
follows with an outline of the plan which
will be followed by the senior class in
raising money for the trip next year. Mr.
Smith speaks OF the splendid work that
has been done along the line of athletics
under the direction of Diedrich Stolte and |
makes the excellent suggestion that the |
last three or four weeks of next years |
athletic work be devoted to teaching the
boys how to swim. He says, however, that
physical education does not receive nearly
the attention it deserves in this town, and
gives as his opinion that it should be under
the direction of a competent physical dir
ector, IA man with special training and
the degree of NJ. d. attached to his name"
AiteI speaking of the crying need OF
gymnasium and a playground for the
school children of the village Mr.. Smith
makes the following significant statement:
"A few years ago $50, 900 was left by a
worthy citizen of this town to equip a
hospital for those suffering from tubercu
osis. So far nothing has developed but
opposition to a home for consumptives in
| am not discussing the pros
md cons of that propositions | would like ,
o point out how little opposition there
would have been if that sum of money had
,een left to the school authorities to be
lsed for purposes of physical education. I
jould there be any better way of prevent !
ng tuberculosis and other forms of disease +
han by building up the bodies of our chill 4
ren and paying some attention to these .
{fn,, fba Gov, fixrn ,,,I &c horp ,
ives" a
Mr.. Smith speaks briefly of the school v
aper, The Dial, saying that the local mer- (
hants will be asked to reconsider their
ecision not to advertise in it. He men
ions the good that has come from the
cries of parents meetings and concludes l
18th an expression of confidence in the
respects for next year. L
The report of Miss Marguerite Tucker,
lpervisor of grades, covers carefully and h
early the various phases of the work that
asst year. She speaks of the good that has
ready come from the manual training c
and expresses qualification that l.
lis department is to be enlarged. As
suit of the penny savings system $4,000 A
as received during the year and of this L.
mount s2362S was deposited in savings NJ
INKS, while only $l04.65 has been with
avn. Miss Tucker mentions the track A
eet held by the pupils of the grades and -
emphasis of the vital need of a public p
aground She also calls attention to the
'evalence of the tobacco habit among III
e schoolboys and the need of strict en- III
of law in regard to the sale of
bacco to minors. The following para II
apis from Miss fuckers report are of
rticular interest:
"The course of study has been practically
e same this year as last. Special en- of
asis has been laid upon some points, BIZ
CHI as making change rapidly and accur- in.
ely; constantly renewed exhibition of the err
st work of all pupils in the various iar
lool rooms; careful teaching of the words tn
all patriotic songs; practice for muscular dil
,vement in penmanship; careful study SUI
teachers of symptoms of contagious dis I'll
;es that every precaution might be taken ins
prevent epidemics; constant practice in 500
iting real letters on unruled note paper, sin
luding addressing envelopes; continuous We;
II for clear enunciation and articulation; spi
ally, every effort has been exerted to ms
pare pupils adequately for the practical liet
entieth century life which they must vii