Norwich bulletin., 1916-10-05
Building overcrowded

In Grade l at the Israel Putnam school there are registered and at tending, 55 pupils. In Grade 2 there are six pupils who belong in Grade 1 for whom 2, no seating arrangements can be made because of lack of room, and in the kindergarten there are four more pupils who cannot be provided with seats in Grade 1 room. In other words there are scattered in three rooms in the building because no one room can accommodate them, 65 Du- pills of Grade 1. There is no room in the building large enough for this number and no one teacher can han dIe so many successfully even with the help Of an assistant every afternoon.
 At present, Miss McGarry of the kindergarten is taking all the pupils of single division in Grade l each afternoon. Even with this arrange ment, the best we can make as things are at present arranged the work of the grade cannot be dcne. My recon- mendation is that second first grade room be opened in the building.
 On the second floor of the Israel Putnam building there is a snare occupancy. Provision for another first gra.de room can easily be made by transferring Grade 3 now at the south end of the lower corridor to the spare room on the second floor: Grade could be moved from their room at
 
 the south end room that has been used by Grade 8; Grade 1 could be trans ferred across the hall and what is now the first grade room would be available as an extra room.
 Evening Schools.
 Frequent inquiries come in now about the date of opening the evening schools. Action needs to be taken at once to permit our beginning work by the middle or last of October.
 Some time since the superintendent was authorized to take up the matter of change of arithmetical texts with the teachers that report might be made to the board as soon as possible. This has been done. The teachers have had a chance to examine care tully, with @ view to use, several of the modern arithmetical texts, and vote.
 The new teachers have taken up their school work with enthusiasm and I am pleased to be able to report favorably on them and their organi- zation work and class work I believe that we have been fortunate in our selection of teachers.
 During the month just passed I have been almost all the time in the differ ent school rooms, helping in the work of organization, observing class work, in conferences with teachers, and dis cussing work plans. As a result of what have seen, I anticipate a great CT degree of helpful cooperation be- tween the office and the schools, and the schools and the homes than ever before. I have no fault to find with any of the teachers under my juris- diction, at this time. The pleasant relations now established ought to prove helpful to the schools and to all employed in them.
 Respectfully submitted,
 HAROLD w. FILES,
 Superintendent of Schools.
 Truant Officers Statement. Town School Committee.
 Gentlhmen:- This month most of the work of the truant officer has been done in conjunction with emu merating. He has, however, in addi- tion written one letter and made seven personal visits.
 The enumeration showed that there are in town 1880 children between the ages of and 16. This is an increase of 57 over last year and of 145 over two years ago.
 Children begin to draw the state compelled to attend school until thez are '. Of the children under year5 of age IA are not yet in school thep can pass the test given by the state board. Of those over IA years. 129 have already left school.
 Last year there were on the list 1o1 children 15 years of age. They were this year beyond the required age. and so were lost to the census list;