USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1894 > Part 17
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1893
Training school Congress street Ashland street
Amesbury Jackman
W. Springfield Amesbury Hubbardst'n. Vt Bromfield street
Year of
EVENING SCHOOLS.
1
The evening schools have not varied in general characteristics from those of the last six or eight years. They consisted mainly of the illiterate class of minors, who, under the provisions of the Statutes, are compelled to attend seventy per cent. of the sessions, and a few others whose attendance was voluntary.
The Committee on Evening schools were liberal in supplying an ample corps of teachers, so that no pupils suffered from lack of attention, and it is a matter of regret that so small a proportion of the school was composed of those who are voluntary attendants. . The progress of this class is frequently remarkable; the teachers take great interest in them.
The studies pursued are chiefly reading, writing and arith- metic : much of the time being devoted to reading, especially with the beginners.
CHANGES IN TEACHERS.
RESIGNATIONS.
F. H. Tarr, sub-master at the High school.
Alice G. Pierce, assistant at the High school.
Mabel B. Sanborn, assistant in Kelley school. Grace G. Rogers, assistant in Jackman school. Susie B. Lowell, assistant in Bromfield school.
Florence A. True, assistant in Ashland Street school.
TRANSFERS AND PROMOTIONS.
Anna M. Lamprey, from 4th and 5th to 6th and 7th grades of the Jackman school.
Josie W. Kimball, from 2nd and 3rd to 4th and 5th grades of the Jackman school.
Abbie L. Frost, from 3rd and 4th to 5th and 6th grades of the Bromfield Street school.
Elizabeth Hoxie, from 1st and 2nd to 3rd and 4th grades of the Bromfield Street school.
NEW APPOINTMENTS.
Harlan F. Stone, sub-master of High school.
Ida M. Wallace, assistant in High school.
Laurie F. Wetmore, assistant in Kelley school. Lillian Hamilton, assistant in Jackman school.
Alice A. Bartlett, assistant in Bromfield street school.
Julia Hubbard, assistant in Ashland Street school.
Charlotte Dickins, temporary teacher, Congress street Ward room.
QUESTIONS FOR PROMOTION.
Pupils belonging to the first three grades are promoted without a final examination. A large proportion of all the other grades are also promoted without a final examination. The following examination was given to those in each grade who were not otherwise promoted.
FOURTH GRADE. Arithmetic.
1. Write in figures, one thousand one hundred six ; seventy thousand fifty ; one thousand ten.
2. What will 40 eggs cost at 24 cts. per dozen ?
3. How many quires of paper in 210436 sheets ?
4. Write Roman numerals for 50, 19, 85, 14, 49.
5. 42006×302;600060 -:- 12; 9020-8929.
6. 84 -: 7; 9×6; 7X8; 47-9; 43+8; add results. Select any five of the above.
Language.
1. Write sentences containing did and done used correctly
2. Abbreviate United States, peck, afternoon, barrel, Captain
3. Sentences containing lie, lay, come, came, wrote.
4. Dictate : Mrs. Brown went into the country last August.
5. "Henry," said the teacher, "this work is not well done."
6. Write plural form of knife, child, daisy, box and cousin. Select any five of the above.
Geography.
1. Name 5 occupations of the people of New England.
2. In what city, state and country do you live ?
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
3. What is an island ? Have you ever seen a real island ? If so, name it.
4. Who make the laws of the country ?
5. Name 4 cities in Mass. on the Merrimac.
6. Name mid-Atlantic States. Capital of each. Select any five of the above.
Spelling.
breathe
easily
write right
threw
piece
cheese
through
wire
door
whose
business
George
can't
cabbage
potato
family
does
those .
gone
FIFTH GRADE.
Arithmetic.
1. How many hours from 9 p. m. to 6 a. m .?
2. What remains of 2645 bushels after taking out 12,9% bushels ?
3. Cost of 7} bbls. of flour if 3 bbls. cost $8.40 ?
4. Add 25 cts., $5, 8 cts., $26, seven cents, four dollars, six cents.
5. If 5 men do a piece of work in 10 days how long will it take 2 men ?
6. If % of a lb. cost 15 cents what will § lb. cost ?
7. (a) Ft. in sq. yd .? (6) Rods in a mile ? (c) Cu. ft. in cord ? (d) Inches in a yard? (e) Quires of paper in a ream ?
8. 40×60×3×7×11-6×14×22×20×30×2.
9. 89-11, 37+9, 8×7, 9×8, 101-7: add results.
10. Add 423, 378, 6016, 752.
11. 10202× 20102.
Select ten of above examples.
Language.
1. Pos. sing. and pos. plu. of woman, child, ostrich, mouse. she
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
2. Plural of goose, ox, boy, fox, girl, leaf, I, woman, he, she.
3. Parts of speech : Mary and I walked to Chain Bridge very early yesterday. Contract cannot, they are, he will not, I am, she is. 4. Interrogative sentence containing pron., adj., prop. noun, verb.
5. Write memory gem of four lines.
6. Change the above to prose in your own language.
7. Sentences containing lie and lay correctly used.
8. Correct : He done well; he don't try ; he ain't got no slate.
9. Dictate : "Don't waste your time," said he, "it doesn't pay."
10. Abb. for United States, ounce, junior, noon, barrel.
Geography.
1. Three rivers of each continent.
2. Locate Boston, Chicago, Calcutta, New York, London.
3. Why does Europe have warmer climate than other countries in same latitude ?
4. How many states and territories in U. S .?
5. Make a question yourself and answer it.
6. What strait connects At. Ocean and Med. Sea ?.
7. Describe G. Stream.
8. Describe the Nile.
9. What two motions has the earth ?
10. Define latitude, longitude.
Spelling.
bureau
beefsteak
proceed
Egyptian
ice cream
weights
judgment
soda
quarter
square
ginger
valuing
complete
cabbage leisure circle
college
liquor
cipher
esteem
.
.
.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SIXTH GRADE. Arithmetic.
1. Reduce to dec. and add-&, 5, '%, 30.
2. L. C. M. of 22, 44, 88, 108 -: G. C. D. of 63 and 217.
3. If .15 of a gallon cost 4} cts. what will 2 qts., 1 pt. cost ?
4. Add results-2.5 -:- 25, .25 -: 2.5, .25:25, 25 :. 25, 2.5:
2.5. 5. 60-6, 6.66-6.6, 500×.05, 500×.001; add results.
6. Cost of 39 eggs at 17 cts. per dozen ?
7. § of & } of 3.
8. If & of an orange is worth & cts. how many can you buy
for $7 ?
9. Draw a rectangle 2 in. by 5 in.
10. What part of 8 is } ; of 7 is 3.
Language.
1. Decline he.
2. Define subj. and pred.
3. Proper adjectives derived from Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, Netherlands, America. .
4, 5. Dictate-"Look ! Harold," said Robert, " how thick the columbines grow !" "Yes," said Arthur, " but, oh ! see this snake."
6. Write a bill and receipt it.
7. Write a receipt for rent.
8. Compare good, bad, little, beautiful, hot.
9. Pos. plu. of mouse, she, baby, I, fox.
10. Write four lines of poetry correctly arranged.
Geography.
1. Lakes of Africa.
2. Draw circle marking tropics, polar circles and write thereon names of zones.
3. To what city would you send for coal, for coffee, cotton, rice, silk ?
4. Go by water from New York to Baltimore.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
5. Five races of men and examples of each.
6. What is there peculiar about the trees of Australia ?
7. Productions of Temperate zone in N. A.
8. Where is there no latitude ?
9. In what hemisphere, continent, country, state, county, do you live ?
10. How do you know the earth is round ?
Spelling.
vegetable
radiant minute interfere
pursues
autumn
journey
severe
telegraph
caterpillar chisels curious
valiant seizing aqueduct rhyme
appetite raspberry precipice chestnut
SEVENTH GRADE.
Arithmetic.
1. A man walks 1m. 47 rds. in 20 min., how many hours will he be in walking 41m. 92 rds. ?
2. Int. of $1001.40 for 2 yrs. 3m. 2d, @ 4 per cent.
3. If ą yds. cost $1} what cost § yd ?
4. If I gain 25 per cent. by selling sugar at 10 cts. what per cent. should I lose by selling at 7 cts. ?
5. Reduce to com. fraction in l. t., 163 per cent., 62} per cent., 85 per cent., 6 per cent., ¿ per cent.
6. ¿ is what per cent. of ? ?
7. 15 gals. 2 qts. 1 pt. × 130g.
8. (125 -:-. 5)-(.7×.001).
9. What will 5 boards, each 14 ft. long, 7 in. wide, cost at $22 per M .?
10. Draw a rectangle 5 in. by 3 in. How many sq. in. in it ? How many inches around it ? How many feet around it ? What part of a square yard does it contain ?
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Language.
1. Prin. parts of break, steal, hang.
2. Analyze-The books that you ordered have come.
3. Compare holy, hot, neatly, bad, little.
4. When is a verb trans .? When intrans ? Example of each.
5. Use in sentences with is or are -- John and Henry, he or she, you and I.
6. Correct-I aint got any. Which is the oldest you or me ? Had you ought to do so. Divide that between him and I.
7. Obj. case of he, they, I, we, who.
8. What is a reg. verb? Give 5 examples.
9. Sentences showing present, past and future of go and do.
10. Write two sentences containing explanatory expressions.
Geography.
1. Principal river of Alaska, S. A., N. A., Africa.
2. Divisions of Dom. of Canada.
3. States that touch Great Lakes.
4. Width of zones.
5. How is a law in U. S. made ?
6. Of whom was Florida purchased ? For how much ?
7. Define circumference, diameter.
8. Products of southern parts of U. S.
9. Define river basin.
10. On what waters would you sail from Chicago to Liver- pool ?
Spelling.
diameter elephant
systematic · hundredths solo aqueduct
squeal
religious
parasol preceding
principal definite
substantial sirloin
convenient deferred
philosopher
melancholy caravan
horizontal
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EIGHTH GRADE.
Arithmetic.
1. Amount of $350 from Sept. 21, 1884 to March 5, 1885 @ 4 per cent?
2. If 5} gals. cost $4}, how many can be bought for $1 ?
3. Sq. root of 11}+ 150625.
4. Comp. int. of $400 for 2 yrs. 6m. 12d. @ 5 per cent.
5. A cord of wood costing $4.50 was sold for $9, what was the gain per cent ?
6. Draw a rectangle 3 in. by 12 in. using rule ; (a) find number of sq. in .; (b) distance around it in in ; (c) fraction of a yd. around it ; (d) contents is what fraction of a yd. ?
7. How many fbs. of cheese bought at 9 cts. and sold at 12 cts. to gain $30 ?
8. What per cent. of 2 is ? ?
9. At 1} per cent. commission an agent receives $97.29 for selling goods, what, was the amount of sale ?
10. What will 15755 pounds of hay cost at $16 per ton ?
Language.
1. Define active voice, with examples.
2. Pos. plu. of I, who, woman, baby, son-in-law ?
3. Write a promissory note.
4. Analyze: The scholar, that studies diligently, will im- prove.
5. Use in sentences sit, done, lay, ought, did.
6. Compare hot, dim, truly, little, silly.
7. Write neatly 4 lines of poetry.
8. Change to good prose.
9, 10. Dictate from Beginner's History, on page 139, last section of paragraph 179, 6 lines.
Geography.
1. Locate Cairo, Berlin, Glasgow, Cuba, Chicago.
2. Voyage with probable cargoes from New York to Liv- erpool.
44
ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
3. Cause of the change of seasons.
4. Define latitude and longitude.
5. Describe the Merrimac.
6. Define diameter and circumference.
7. Largest city and longest river of each continent.
8. Most eastern cape of each continent.
9. Name motions of the earth and tell what each causes.
10 Name 4 cities of Mass. and tell the manufactures of each.
History.
1. Who was Columbus ?
2. What was his purpose ?
3. Tell what events are connected with 1492, 1620, 1635 (local).
4. Name 3 Spanish discoverers.
5. Who discovered the Mississippi?
6. Why were the natives of this country called Indians?
7. What did Magellan do?
8. Describe the Indians.
9. What do you think ought to be the national flower, and why ?
Spelling.
superiority Cincinnati quantities Louisiana
preparation genius procession birch-canoe
residence bilious
Chicago process
Plymouth tariff Lynn solemn
Salisbury revenue possess sovereign
HIGH AND PUTNAM SCHOOL. ENTRANCE EX- AMINATION.
Arithmetic. 1. By selling a farm for $3500 the owner will lose 12} per cent. What will be the per cent. gained if he sells the farm for $5000 ?
ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 45
2. A farmer buys 18 head of cattle at $25 per head, and after losing 3, sells the remainder at $33 per head. What per cent. does he gain ?
3. A note of $730, dated Aug. 3, payable in 3 months, is discounted Sept. 15 @ 7 per cent .; find the proceeds.
4. What is the difference between the semi-annual com- pound interest on $500, for 3 years at 4 per cent. and the simple interest for the same time at 5 per cent .?
5. (a) Multiply 27 ten-thousandths by 9 millionths ; (b) Divide 27 hundred-thousandths by 9 hundred-millionths.
6. Simplify 1} of 28 5-33 +9+7.25.
7. (a) Find the greatest common divisor of 527, 391, and 223; (b) Find the least common multiple 32, 96, 144, and 200.
8. What fraction of a day is 1 hr. 40 min .?
9. A barn is 50 ft. long and 40 ft. wide with post 20 ft. high. How much will it cost to cover the walls with boards at $17 per thousand ft .?
10. How much wheat can be put into 18 sacks, if each sack holds 1 bu. 3 pk. 7 qt. 1 pt .?
English.
1. Dictation-Montgomery's U. S. history, paragraph 231, beginning, " After dinner -. "
Write five sentences each containing one of the following words-Due, done, may, wring and setting.
3. Correct the errors in the following sentences-(a) I saw the frenchman whom you say is staying in the city. (b) Can I speak to my seat-mate ? (c) Had not the boy ought to have studied ? (d) Either he or I are going. (e) Each boy had their knapsacks on their backs. (f) I will learn you how to ride the bicycle. (g) The boy laid in bed all day. (h) He has began to speak.
4. Write a compound sentence, a complex sentence, a sen- tence containing a clause modifying the subject, a sentence con- taining a clause modifying the verb.
.
46
ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
5. Write a short letter to a friend asking him to spend the Fourth of July with you.
6. Write a composition of not more than fifteen lines on Christmas.
Geography.
1. (a) When you say that you live in north latitude what do you mean ? (b) How is longitude reckoned ?
2. (a) What European countries border upon the Mediterra- nean ? (b) Between what countries is the North Sea ? (c) Lo- cate the Black Sea ? (d) Describe the Rhine, the Rhone, the Po and the Vistula. (e) Locate Berlin, Constantinople, Liverpool. Florence, Madrid.
3. Write a brief geographical description of Asia. Do not write more than 12 lines.
4. (a) Describe the mountain system of the U. S. (b) State how these systems determine the direction and size of the rivers. (c) Into what groups are the states of the Union divided ? (d) Name and locate the most important city in each of these groups- (e) Write a paragraph not exceeding eight lines on the min- eral products of the U. S. (f) Write a paragraph not exceed- ing eight lines on the agricultural products of the U. S. (g) Lo- cate the following cities and state for what each is noted-New Orleans, Washington, Cambridge, Duluth and Albany.
History.
1. Give a brief account of the settlement of Rhode Island, of Pennsylvania, of New York.
2. What was the Boston Post Bill ? The Stamp Act ?
3. Name the most important event in Jefferson's administra- tion. Show why important.
4. What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act ? What was its effect upon the country ?
5. What were the causes and results of the Mexican War ?
6. What do the following dates suggest ? 1607, 1620, 1763. 1776. 1789, 1812, 1820, 1850, 1861, 1892 ?
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
While the financial condition of the city may render it im- possible to supply such schoolhouses as are needed, it is well for the public to be fully aware of our condition in this respect. One of the first impressions produced in visiting the schools of neighboring cities is the excellence of their school buildings.
Many of them have been built in recent years. They have broad hallways, stairs easy of ascent, spacious rooms, light and well ventilated, and are equipped with good systems of heating and ventilation. They are furnished with many useful things for the health and comfort of pupil and teachers.
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.
At a meeting of the School Board in September a committee was appointed to confer with the City Government and request that a new school building be erected in the vicinity of Oakland and Jackson streets. Every new school year opens with a large surplus of pupils in some of the rooms of the city. Much dissat- isfaction and inconvenience are caused in the best intentioned efforts to remedy this difficulty by transferring children to other schools. Newburyport is long and narrow, so that surplus room at one end of the city does not relieve crowded rooms at the
48
ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
other. There seems to be only one location where a new build- ing could be made to relieve a congested condition in any part of the city.
[From the Annual Report for 1891.]
One of the most pressing needs is that for a new school house in the vicinity of Oakland or Jackson street. Every year great difficulty is experienced in finding accommodations for pupils entering the grammar grades, while some of the primary grades are in temporary and unsuitable quarters.
A building that would relieve the Kelley school would enable the schools below State street, when over-crowded, to send their surplus to the Kelley. It could also take enough children from the Ashland street schools to dispense with the ward room, which at best is only fit for temporary accommodation.
Every year in one room of the Congress street school we find, in the summer, between fifty and sixty children, when there is suitable accommodation for only forty. This excess could also be provided against by a new school house in the above named locality.
The only building now available for relief of these over- crowded rooms is the lower story of the Temple street school house, but to the use of this there are various objections. The scholars would be taken from the near vicinity of the Kelley school, those who belong by their residence to that school. They would go from a pleasant, attractive building in their own district, to one in another district, gloomy, and poorly fitted in every way. Moreover, such an arrangement would only relieve the grammar grades. The lack of accommodation for those in the ward room and Congress street schools would still remain.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
.
Schools
Material
Stories
Rooms occupied
How heated
Ventilation
Johnson School
Brick
2
4
Furnace
Poor Poor
Rooms too small, ventilation poor Rooms too small, ventilation poor
Bromfield Street School
Brick
2
4
Furnace
Purchase Street.
Wood
2
1
Stoves
Passable
Fair sized rooms
Jackman School.
Brick
22
4
Stoves
Passable
Temple Street ..
Brick
2
1
Stoves
Kelley School ..
Brick
2
9
Furnace
Congress Street School.
Brick
2
4
Furnace
Forrester Street School ..
Brick
2
4
Furnace
Passable Passable Very poor Very poor
Fair sized rooms, ventilation passable Small rooms, ventilation poor Small rooms, ventilation poor Medium rooms. old, poor entrance
Ashland Street School
Wood
2
2
Stoves
Medium
Ward Room, Ashland Street ..
Wood
1
1
Stoves
Medium
Moultonville School
Wood
1
2
Stoves
Medium
Wesley Street School.
Brick
1
1
Stoves
Medium
Very good condition. pleasant rooms Fair condition, needs new desks
ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Remarks
Medium sized rooms, ventilation poor One room. fair size
Fit only for temporary use
49
PHYSICAL EXERCISES.
Next in importance to good character is a sound and healthy body. For several years physical exercises have been required in the primary and grammar schools. Properly conducted these are of great value to the pupil, and to the school. They give to the child an erect and easy carriage and that buoyancy of spirit that makes physical or mental exertion a pleasure and life a joy. The school where such exercises are well done is usually quiet, orderly and industrious, while the necessary movements of the pupils are made with grace and precision.
The prompt obedience in performing these exercises is un- consciously carried into the other work of the school.
The system of exercises used in our schools is, as far as our teachers understand it, the Swedish. In a few schools these ex- ercises are admirably performed. Their effects are plainly seen in the better bearing of the pupils, their habit of standing and sitting erect, and an improved physique.
It is to be regretted that all teachers are not sufficiently familiar with this system to obtain the same beneficial results, or that any parent should wish his children excused from what should be the most valuable part of their school training.
The following extract from the school report of another city well expresses the value of this system :
" The Swedish System of Educational Gymnastics was intro- duced into our schools in February, 1893. The system requires that special attention be paid to the position of pupils in their seats and in standing and walking. A part of every lesson is an xercise in full, deep breathing, which tends to chest expansion.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The principal objects are the symmetrical development of all parts of the body, the preservation of the general health of the children through increased bodily energy and muscular activity, the cultivation of ease and grace in movement, and increased self- control through control of the organs of the body in physical action.
The drill in physical exercise is regular, being a part of the daily program. The results of the work during a period less than two years are very noticeable, the graceful poise of the head, the improved bodily carriage and easy action becoming general among a larger number of our pupils, as well as the gradual disappearance of the thin, flat chests, round shoulders and stooping figures. The discipline is of higher grade and more easily obtained. The intellectual activity of the pupils is greater and of a better quality. We have good reason for congratula- tion upon the results attending this important branch of our school work."
FREE TEXT BOOKS.
The law which requires cities and towns to furnish text books and supplies to pupils attending the public schools is gener- ally considered a wise one. Under this law the cost of books is very much lessened, while there is no delay caused by children's failing to have them in season. Notwithstanding the popularity and success of this law it is far from being wholly satisfactory. There are, undoubtedly, many minor diseases, against which no precautions are taken, that may be disseminated by books. If it were possible to have books used only by one pupil, to belong to him upon his leaving school, it would be beneficial in more
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ways than one. In after life many people would be pleased to own and sometimes refer to books used in childhood. Many parents would prefer not to have their children handle and use books whose antecedents were at least doubtful.
The chief objection to such an arrangement now is the in- creased expense that would be incurred. Still such a law may yet be passed. When some systematic'course of study shall be evolved out of the present chaos in education, it may be possible to determine about how much can reasonably be required in each grade. If this could be uniform, or nearly so. through the state, books could be supplied containing about a year's work, the cost of which would be so small, that at the close of the year they could belong to the pupils who had used them, without probably greatly increasing the present expense in that line.
If this theory is sound, all really needed to make the present law highly beneficial, is a uniform course of study, for this state, at least, with books published in gr.des, to belong to the pupil on his leaving school.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
Particular attention is called to the law recently enacted in regard to school attendance. It was formerly practically impos- sible to secure convictions for violations of the old law requiring every child between eight and fourteen years of age to attend school not less than thirty weeks of each school year. It was necessary to wait till near the close of the year before a prosecu- tion could be made, and as there was only one offence for each school year the law was of little practical use
Under the present law two weeks' absence is all that is allowed. When the school commences in September every five consecutive days' absence beyond these two weeks is a violation
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ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
of the law, for which the parent is liable to a fine. All reasonable allowance is made for sickness, etc. But this law enables school authorities to hold parents responsible who through wilfulness or negligence deprive their children of an education.
There are few such parents in this city, but there are some, and they should, after a reasonable warning, be brought before the court. This should be done in justice to the children and to the community.
It would be well if there was also some way to secure punctuality. The ill effects of tardiness upon the child and upon the school are greater than are imagined by parents.
In some places the following plan has been tried which has been very successful in securing punctnality :- In every room where there have been no cases of tardiness during the month, the teacher is allowed to dismiss her pupils one hour earlier on the last half day of the month.
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