The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-07-12
AFFAIRS OF THE SCHOOLS.
Continued from Page ID

school pupils taking part in dramatics
under some organization other than
the school, where the teachers have no
control. He expresses the hope that
Vermont will be a close second to New
York in making physical education
compulsory. The high school orches-
ira was given up because of lack of
interest. Mr.. Smith favors some
scheme for allowing credit for music
lessons outside of school hours and
not directly under school auspices.
The success of the commercial de
partment has been proven, and the
wages paid for 80 weeks in a year in
office work as compared with the wa
ges for teaching "a weeks shows why
1t is hard to establish teacher-train-
ing course here. The principal says
no one in responsible position in the
school system advocates giving up
any of the college preparatory sub
Jects, but that as he Understands the
needs of Brattleboro and the surround
ing country the vocational courses
that ought to be offered to the young
people are as follows:
81. Household Arts including
everything that goes to make an eff
Gent home-for all girls.
-. Commercial-for trained office
assistants
"3. Agricultural-with school
farm under the direction of a trained
agricultural expert for a good many
boys who need to know that even more
than good living on a farm is posi-
Bile right here in southern Vermont.
81. Shop Work-with especial en-
phasis on Woodworking and Printing,
the two principal industries of the vii
lage.
In the second we have already
made considerable progress. In the
hrst we expect to get a good start
next year. In the fourth, while we may
not get beyond the sloyd and manual
! training stage, | am confident good
foundations will be laid next year. In
the third, nothing has been done and
nothing is likely to be done until the
local board of trade, the West River
Valley association and the County
Farmers association can create a
sentiment that will make the school
authorities see the wisdom of such a
course in the Brattleboro high school
ITO make these courses most effec-
tive the school system will have to be
recognized on the siX-six plan, with
the first six years in our public school
| system given to elementary instruction
and the last six years organized on a
high school basis with departmental
teaching and promotion by subject,
not by class. -
The report of Miss Florence NJ.
| Nellman, superintendent, shows that
while the enrolment in the grades for
the year l9l4-I9lj was IA, the past
year it has been but 754, the difference
being due to the fact that the age OF
school entrance was raised last Sep
:, TENDER. Seventeen of 80 pupils not
promoted will enter the ungraded
/ room. Some pupils who are assigned
: to higher grades are not promoted
but the repeating of grades is of ques-
tionablc value. except in cases where
/, the pupil has lost much time through
/ sickness, or is too young or immature
= for the work of the next grade. The
work done and work planned along
vocational lines is set forth in an ea.
tertaining way.
Miss Lucy A. Proctor, supervisor of
music outlines her method of teach
ing ana says that if proper attention
Is given the little ones who are "pas
sive nine out of 10 will sing. Next
. year she intends to give markt fol
the music. Since last fall Miss Proctor
has had charge of the folk dancing il
the first four grades, enabling her tC
work the singing. games and foil
dances along with the music, which is
of great rvthmic value, especially t,
the little children.
Mrs. Marguerite B. Whitney gives
comprehensive review of what has
5 been done in each grade in the way
of drawing and manual training. an
: it is Interesting to note that iig-saH
puzzles made by the boys of grade
r were sent to convalescent soldiers il
:. France
T Miss Anna L. Davis and Miss Heller
c h. Dunn report on school nurse work
including a statistical report. An i'm
portant need is stated as follows
n "'Thc great need for the children i
+ some arrangement whereby they ma,
). be given free dental care. Denta
work is so expensive that it is impos
slble for the average wage Garner t.
: provide this service for his children
, Our hope is that a free dental clili
+ may be established in the near future
: All of our dentists have given som
, free service, but cannot possibly cove
: the need. -
=, The account with Charles G. Staples
treasurer, shows the following re
- ceipts and expenses:
T. RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand as per last
;, report, S 1917
Tuitions, 4,0S1.7
n Supplies sold, 1858
y Second hand desks sold, 200
/ State of Vermont in ac-
II cordance with No. rs, Acts
of 1912, 2,436.7
!, Temporary loans, 10000
is w. A. Subway, collector,
y, 1915 tax, in full, 1882
to w. A. Subway, collector,
III suspended taxes collected, 1854
IN Austin estate, rent of land, 10
p Austine fund, interest, 1000
Hammarlund water rent, Is
- | TDpnIuo From, ITiDnc prnnarty-