Evening journal., 1909-02-09


= umher Of nights in session . 81
The schools were opened on Tuesday,
Septem Der 8, 1908, and for FIVE days
had but one session each day. The
term closed on Friday, January 20,
1909.
Five night schools were opened Oc-
tober 10. 1909, in buildings No. s. 10.
u, IS and 16 and have been kept open
four nights per week. The location of
these schools made attendance con-
venient from all parts Of the city. The
subjects for instruction offered in these
schools were reading writing, arith-
metic. language and history. Children
Of foreign parentage have been speci-
| ally interested I'm these studies and
many have. made most commendable
! progress i'm learning TO read, 10 write
and 10 speak the English language with
facility. Most of the foreigners in the
night schools are employed in the va
rious industrial establishments OF the
city during the day and have but little
opportunity for acquiring and under
standing social customs and the need
OF working in harmony with their as
sociates.
The chief arguments for the organic
alton and support Of night schools are
these: Unless a general level of in
lteiligence can be maintained. the safety
Of the state will be endangered. The
higher the level OF intelligence. the
more productive. the more ethical. the
more happy and spontaneous win be
the life OF the people. The same ar
lguments apply with equal validity to
the need OF enforcing compulsory at
tendance upon day schools
The mid-year promotions were made
on Friday morning, January 20. and
during the afternoon session most OF the
schools were re-organized and the
classes were at work. II is gratifying
to know how earnestly the teachers and
pupils entered upon the new terms
work with the loss of so little time.
About 81 per cent. Of all the pupils
were promoted. The causes for nom
promotion were mostly irregular at
tendance, personal illness, want Of ap-
plication, outside interests and en-
polyments, etc.
Change Made in Schools.
In accordance with the instructions
of the board 10 relieve the over pres
sure at the High School. Sixth Gram
mar Grades were kept at Schools No. /,
4. "a and 2S and First Grammar grades
were organized at Schools No. 5 and
q. In addition 10 these there are
First and Second Grammar grades at
Schools No. 2, 10. IA and %, making
ten schools in all I'm which grammar
grades are maintained. This arrange
ment brings the grammar grades near
er TO the homes of a larger number OF
children and will be the means Of re-
tanning many Of them longer in these
schools.
The accommodation OF the upper
grammar grades has for several years
taxed our facilities 10 the limit; the
problem of providing adequate room
so that manual training and sewing
may be continued in the course should
be given immediate attention by the
board. In passing it may not be amis'
to repeat that grammar grades arr
very much needed at Schools No. II anC
10.
A professional study class was or
ganized October 1s. 1908. The teach
ing of writing. the change from tn
vertical TO the slant system was dis
cussed and illustrated at a numberro
meetings held for that specific purpose
i All teachers of the primary and tn
i grammar grades attended these studies
The work is now well in hand and be
fore the close Of the year I am con
hdent most excellent results win b
secured.
The study Of "The School and Il
Life" win be continued in the regula
Tuesday afternoon classes. In thes
studies consideration will be given t.
the widening sphere OF public educa
ton. as well as the attitude Of moderl
4 society toward education, the rapid soc
ial changes now taking place and hoy
I the schools may render the best ser
Z vice to the community. Attendance Of
4 the part Of the teachers IS wholly vol
& untary, and yet the average attendant
Z is about 225 at each meeting
Respectfully submitted.
Geo. w Twitmyer,