Norwich bulletin., 1919-07-10

] 8 hummer, but Manhasset expects to win. as they did in the hair raising 1 contest here.
 1 Thompson people are stirred up over | an adverse report relative to the 1 Tourtellotte Memorial High school, given to the state board of education l by one of it's agents. Morton Snyder. | Though. it is stated. the report has 1 the manner in which the school has been allowed to go along. many of 1 the townspeople are in favor of re- taining F. F. Harrington as superin- tendent.
 1 These people believe that the faults complained of can be overcome with out making any changes to the su- perintendent and thereby receive the approval of the school from the state board without which it can be denied financial assistance from the state. Mrs. Harriet Tourtellotte. who died in Florida last winter, left s600,o00 for this school.
 Extracts from MT. Snyder's report to the state board follow;
 One striking thing about this school is the marked contrast between and the lifeless tone of the school as Q whole. Morning assembly was an utterly spiritless form. with but few singing; in class the pupils showed little enthusiasm. initiative or respon- siveness; the general level of results observed was only fair; the pail of mediocrity and indifference seemed to hang over the institution. It seems to the observer that the human side of the school justifies neither the beauti- full building or the high expense.
 Some reasons for this deplorable condition have been touched upon. ate demands of the curriculum which are met through CD low standards of the accomplishment; (3) in the lack of well ordered teaching content in @@ IL IL ness of the institution; (5) in the con- gested time table with it's too great demands on principal and teachers; (6) in the lack of expert supervision Of the work of each teacher. All these factors or the lack of them are ex- cused on one ground or another. It seems to the observer. however, that the schools lack of spirit and tone cannot be attributed to exeusa- ble causes. The lack of student ac- tivities, the assem bly, exercises, of i'm geniousness administrative devices here and there. of any general enthu a question of leadership and direction. There would seem to have been too much of the attitude of watchful wait ing.
 Tn the writer's judgment the school offers neither the technical conditions nor the results which may reasonably be expected. even in a war year, and 1t is. therefore. recommended that tnlS ScnOOl De not dpppONed 1oT the present year"
 MT. Snyder points out some i'm provements and changes that should be made including the fitting up of the second commercial rooms with typewriter desks; workable labora- tory with suitable space and equip ment, three rooms for the household arts unit. wooden floor for gymnasium, shop shut off from the basement cor ridor, for the sake of quiet; parti- tions for the end of the corridor, giv- ing the girls privacy in both toilets and coat room. adjustment of girls shower baths, better plumbing in the boys toilets. an electric time clock. recitations in the study room held elsewhere, better ventilation. The janitorial work is fair" is reported.
 According to MT. Snyder. the fol lowing plan of improvement was of fered by MT. Kutscher: Junior high school organization; continuation classes for mill employees of high school age; restoration of the course in agriculture: lecture course for the public under high school aus pices; teachers professional lecture course; better salaris for high shool teachers and all others because of the relief afforded to the towns budget; improvement to the plant; additions to the school library, adequate lunch facilities; expert instruction in phy- sical education; a teacherage.