The Republican journal., 1912-03-14


raised by taxation to erect suitable building
for High school purposes.
This can be done without materially increas-
ing the tax rate, provided the city government
comprehends that the need of such buildings
is paramount to city teams, fire engines, parks,
steam rollers and the like In any event a
sanitary, wel-lighted school building would be
better advertisement for our city than low
tax rate.
Superintendent Alonzo J. Knowlton says
that the school work for the past year has not
been interrupted by any outbreaks of con-
tagious diseases, but bad colds have been
prevalent and account for some of the alb
sences. The schools have been closed six
sessions on account of weather conditions and
one for want of sufficient heat in the Central
district. THE schools are handicapped on
account of building conditions. Under the ex-
listing conditions, and these are not recent, it
does not seem possible that such extensive.
satisfactory and thorough work could be DONE
This work is often done under too great a
strain. We find that there is an increase in
the number of defective eyes. The percentage
increases in the higher grades and in the High
school," Mr.. knowlton emphasizes the fact
that a good school is the joint result of CO.
operation among parents, pupils and teacher.
A failure of any one of these factors is sure to
cause the school to suffer and the result of
such failure should not be laid at the teachers
door unless she represents the failure. The
status of the present teaching force is as fol-
lows: five college graduates, twelve Normal
school graduates twenty one who are holders
of State teachers certificates, and two who
have had special training for music and draw
books for the past year. Picture study has
been introduced in all the grades from the
first to the ninth, inclusive. The establish
ment of a commercial course for the High
school is recommended. AS to the need for a
new school building Superintendent Knowlton
says:
1t is not necessary for US to make an extend
ed exhortaton about the inadequacy of our
present school buildings, for the fact is too
well known. But as we look into the future
we realize that the time is fast approaching
when the city will be willing to make definite
and decisive effort toward the erection of
suitable structure for school purposes The
schools now on the common, with up-to- date
laboratories for the High school, a commercial
room, drawing room, the basement finished
so as to make rooms for manual training for
the boys and domestic science for the girls, and
an assembly hall on the third floor that may be
used for many purposes. This building should
be made a social center and used as many
hours of the day as possible for educational up
lift and advancement. When this building is
completed long-felt need will be supplied
and blessing bestowed upon the boys and
girls of today and the generations who may
follow. May that day speedily come
Clarence W. Proctor, Principal of the High
school, reports the registration of the school
for the three terms since his last report as fol-
lows: Winter term, 1901, boys As, girls As;
spring term, 1911, boys AZ, girls A; fall term,
1911, boys A. girls 60. Average attendance:
Winter term. 60; spring term, 80; fall term,
102. The only change of teachers was the ap-
pointment of Miss Hazel B. Barnard to take
the place of Miss Elizabeth A. Quimby, resign
ed, and Mr. Proctor records his depreciation
of the hard work and painstaking care that
Miss Barnard has given to her work" Recita-
tions and declamatons have been required of
all at least once a term but Mr.. Proctor has
found the results disappointing, and not as
good as in many country schools. He says that
not only is commercial course needed, but a
room for manual training for the boys and for
work in domestic science. sewing. home-mak-
ing and home-economics for the girls. This is
Mr.. Proctor's idea Of what is needed in the
way of building.
We should have building with high and
we'll lighted basement containing boiler rooms,
etc., janitor's room, rooms for manual train
ing and domestic science, boys and girls flush
closets, gymnasium, shower baths and lunch
room The first floor should contain the rooms
for the grades and the superintendent's Offices
The second floor should contain the study
room and the various high school recitation
rooms, each arranged for the special use to
which it is to be put. The third floor should
contain the science lecture room and laborator-
les and hall sufficiently large to accommo-
date the high school graduation, the school
plays, dances, etc. This hall should have q
good-sized stage and two dressing rooms and
should become the literary and social center of
the community. The musical society should
have the use of it, as should the ladies' clubs,
the board of trade, and any club or society
whose object is the mental or social advance
ment of the people of the city. For small
meetings one of the recitation rooms or the
science lecture room would be useful. At all
times encourage the people to come to the
building It would not be long before the
school itself would feel a new life and new
spirit and both school and city would prof
immensely.
After acknowledging various gifts and pre-.
senting some matters of detail Mr.. Proctor
says: "The work of the school during the
year will compare favorably with that of prev.
ious years."
Mrs. Emma B. Pitcher of the music depart.
ment says: "The work in the first four gradest
for number of years. has been done in a salts
factory manner, but in the fifth, sixth ant
seventh grades. on account of frequent change,
OF teachers. sickness and other causes, the re
suits have not been as satisfactory. 1 an
glad. however. to report that for the past yea,
the work in these grades has been exception
ally good. The teachers endeavor to instil ,
love for the really good in their pupils and il
is very gratifying to have the children, whe,
given choice Of songs, select those writer
by the best composers.
"The eighth and ninth grades were neve