USA > Rhode Island > Annual report of the Board of Education : together with the Annual report of the Commissioner of Public Schools of Rhode Island, 1875 > Part 18
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Calendar .- The school year is to be divided into four terms of ten weeks each, where schools are to be kept ten months. The first term is to commence on the first Monday of May, and continue ten weeks. The second term to commence on the first Monday of September, and to con- tinue ten weeks, followed by a vacation of one week. The third term to commence on the Monday following the closing of the second term and its vacation week, and to continue ten weeks, followed by a vacation of one week. The fourth term to commence on the Monday following the closing of the third term and its vacation week, and to continue ten weeks, followed by a vacation until the first Monday of May, which will be the commencement of another legal school year.
Districts having nine months or less per year, are requested, as far as practicable, to conform to the above calendar ; at least, to begin their first term on the first Monday of May, and the second on the first Mon- day in September, with the understanding that no one term shall con- tinue longer than twelve weeks without a vacation of at least one week at the end of every twelve weeks, and that the first term invariably close on or before the 20th of July, and no school is to hold a session between that time and the first of September.
At the close of the fourth term, the Trustee's report should be care- fully and correctly filled out, according to the blank authorized by the Commissioner, (copies of which will be found in the hands of the several teachers,) and immediately placed in the hands of the Superintendent or Clerk of the Committee, so that they can prepare their report on or be- fore the commencement of another school year, which is May the first, as the law requires.
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EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL REPORTS.
The Committee still further recommend, and adopt in the Calendar, that teachers do not make up for any loss of time during the terms, either 'at the end of the terms or at the end of the year, but deduct the amount of such time lost from their bills, except by the special permis- sion of the Superintendent.
The Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 22d of Febru- ary, may be holidays, agreeable to section 7, chapter 129, General Statutes.
Teachers are allowed one day in each term to visit other schools, with such of their pupils as may go with them. All teachers will be expected to attend Teachers' Institutes held in the town, under the direction of either the School Committee, Superintendent, or School Commissioner .- J. R. IRISH, Chairman.
LINCOLN .- Rule for Calculating the Average Attendance for the Ap- portionment of Money. Adopted .January, 1866 .- Find the average time for which all the schools in town have kept ; make the half days of this average the general divisor.
Add together all the half days' attendance of all the scholars of all the terms, (whether there be 1, 2, 3 or 4,) of a given district, for the divi- dend of that district. Divide by the general divisor, and the quotient will be the equitable average for the given district, and so for any other.
NEWPORT. CHAPTER I .- SCHOOL CALENDAR.
SECTION 1. The school year shall consist of four terms, of ten weeks each, and shall begin on the second Monday in September.
SEC. 2. There shall be a vacation of six weeks, at the close of the summer term ; of two weeks, at the close of the fall and winter terms, respectively ; and of two weeks, including the annual State election.
SEC 3. The following additional days shall be held as holidays : Washington's Birthday, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
SEC. 4. School shall be held on every day of the week, except Saturday, Sunday, and the holidays. There shall be one session in the High School, from nine o'clock, a. m., until two o'clock p. m. ; in the other schools there shall be two sessions, from nine o'clock, a. m., until noon, and from two to four o'clock, p. m. ;- provided, that nothing in this regulation shall deprive the Committee of the right to claim of the teachers six hours' service a day, nor deprive the teacher of the right to detain a pupil an hour or a part of an hour at the end of the after- noon session ; but no pupil shall be detained more than fifteen minutes, after the close of the forenoon session.
SEC. 5. There shall be a recess of fifteen minutes for each pupil in every forenoon session, including the time occupied in going out and returning ; and all schools in the same building, or occupying the same yard, shall have this recess at the same time. Other recesses shall be as authorized by the Committee.
SEC. 6. At the end of every half-term, except the last half-term of the school year, there shall be an examination in the studies pursued by
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SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
the pupils, including music, which examination shall be in writing, in the grades above the Primary ; the pupil shall also be examined as to his proficiency in penmanship and drawing, and a report shall be made by the teacher of the per cent. attained at such examinations in the branches named, together with the standing of the pupils, his deport- ment, and attendance. This report shall be prepared when the school is not in session, and shall be transmitted to the parent or guardian of the pupil, accompanied with the request that it be returned with the signa- ture of the parent or guardian, in acknowledgment of his receipt.
SEC. 7. Examinations, oral or written, conducted by the Superin- tendent, shall take place at the close of the summer term ; and seventy per cent. shall be the minimum per cent. which renders a pupil entitled to promotion.
SEC. 8. The annual election of teachers will take place at the first regular meeting of the Committee in July.
CHAPTER II .- TEACHERS.
SECTION 1. Teachers shall be in their respective school rooms at least fifteen minutes before the hour for beginning school, morning and afternoon.
SEC. 2. Strict punctuality shall be observed in opening and closing the sessions of the schools. At five minutes before the regular and ap- pointed time, the pupil shall be summoned indoors by the ringing of a bell at the door of the school-house, or at an open window of the room. At the appointed hour, precisely, a stroke of the bell shall be given by the teacher at the desk ; and the exercises shall then immediately com- mence.
SEC. 3. School shall be opened in the morning with reading from the Scriptures, without comment, by the teacher.
SEC. 4. Each teacher (or principal), shall keep a register of the names, ages and residences of tbe pupils, the names of their parents or guardians, the dates of their entering and leaving the school, and every instance of absence and of tardiness.
SEC. 5. Each teacher shall make a weekly report to the Superin- tendent (a) of the number of pupils, of each sex, enrolled during the year, and during the current term : (b) of the average number belong- ing for the week; (c) the average number of attendants ; (d) the number of cases of tardiness ; (e) the full names of such as have en- tered or left school, with the names of their parents or guardians ; and, (f) of the books and other articles needed, or received-together with such other information as should be communicated.
SEC. 6. He shall also make a quarterly report of (a). the whole number of names enrolled for the year; (b) of boys ; (c) of girls ; (d) of those enrolled for the term; (e) of boys ; (f) of girls ; (i) present number of pupils ; (j) number over fifteen years of age; (k) average daily belonging ; (1) average daily attendance; (m) per cent. of at- tendance, found by dividing (1) by (k) ; (n) number and names of pupils not absent at all ; (o) number and names of pupils not tardy at all ; (p) number of pupils neither absent nor tardy, their names being checked in lists (n) and (o).
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EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL REPORTS.
SEC. 7. Teachers shall give proper attention to the ventilation and temperature of their school-rooms ; they shall be responsible for the good condition of their rooms, and of all the public property entrusted to their care ; and the teachers of the highest grade in each school-house shall be held to answer for the proper condition of the yards and out- buildings connected therewith.
SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of every teacher to give prompt notice to the Superintendent of needful repairs and supplies, and every teacher shall be held accountable for wants and injuries occurring through his neglect.
SEC. 9. Teachers shall not entertain, nor confer with, any agent or vender of books, or other merchandise, during school hours ; nor shall any teacher read to the school any advertisement during school hours.
SEC. 10. In case of the sickness of a teacher, notice shall be promptly given to the Superintendent ; and no teacher shall withdraw from school during any part of its session, nor dismiss school before the regular hours of dismissal, without permission previously obtained of the Superintendent, except in an event of real emergency ; and, in this latter case, report shall be made to him as soon as possible.
SEC. 11. In no case shall a substitute for a teacher be employed, without the especial consent of the Superintendent previously obtained ; and the teacher shall pay the substitute the same compensation as he would receive for the time.
SEC. 12. Any teacher may withdraw from a school at the end of a term, provided that at least one month's notice, in writing, be given the Superintendent. Any teacher who shall withdraw at any other time, or without giving the prescribed notice, shall forfeit all compensation for the term or for any part thereof.
SEC. 13. In order to discharge a teacher, it shall be necessary for the General Committee to give him at least six weeks' previous notice, in writing ; but such discharge may take effect at any period of the term. The previous notice shall not be required in cases of immoral conduct.
SEC. 14. Teachers are allowed and expected to visit other schools of the same grade as their own, to the extent of one day in each term ; but the approval of the Superintendent must be previously obtained, and the time allowed for visiting shall be used for no other purpose.
CHAPTER III. - PUPILS.
SECTION 1. No pupil shall be admitted to any school, except upon the presentation of a permit signed by the Superintendent.
SEC. 2. No pupil shall be excluded from the school, except by direc- tion of the Superintendent, or the Committee ; but teachers may suspend a pupil for just cause, and thereupon shall make an immediate report of the case to the Superintendent, and to the parent or guardian of the pupil; and the pupil cannot be allowed to return to the school until re-instated by the Superintendent or the Committee.
SEC. 3. To be admitted to school a child must be five years old, and, for admission to any grade, he must possess the attainments re- quired by the school regulations.
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SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
SEC. 4. Pupils shall be considered as belonging to the schools to which they have been admitted, unless transferred by the Superinten- dent; or until the end of the school year. To "belong," in this sense, is not necessarily to beentitled to a seat ; but it is to be enrolled in the whole number of pupils.
SEC. 5. Any pupil who shall be absent for six-half days, or three whole days, in any period of four weeks, shall lose his membership, and, to be re-admitted, he must obtain special permission from the Superin- tendent. In noting absences, the short vacations shall be disregarded. For the sake of uniformity in obtaining the per cent. of attendance, pupils shall be deemed belonging till the three days expire whatever the cause of this absence, except in case of transfer,-in which case, they belong, until enrolled in some other school. "Belonging." in this sense, is being entitled to a seat, with the exception named in Section 2.
SEC. 6. A pupil who has been absent from school for less than the time mentioned in Section 5, can be re-admitted, on presenting to the teacher a written excuse signed by the parent or guardian.
SEC. 7. Absence from school, without the consent of the parent or guardian previously obtained ; leaving the school-room in school hours, or the yard at recess, without the permission of the teacher; and the tardiness of an habitual truant, extending beyond twenty minutes, shall each be accounted truancy ; and all cases of truancy shall be at once reported to the Superintendent, who may exclude a pupil for truancy, according to previously established rules.
SEC. 8. Every pupil who is not seated at the sounding of the usual signal shall be accounted tardy, and shall be required to present to the teacher a signed note, from parent or guardian, containing a request that the case of tardiness may be excused ; but the pupil shall be admit- ted without the note, and the case be attended to at another time, if he would probably be made absent by being sent at that time for the note. Tardiness extending beyond twenty minutes shall be accounted absence ; but the pupil shall be admitted to the school, and other discipline shall take the place of enforced absence.
SEC. 9. No pupil shall be permitted to leave school, before its close, for the purpose of attending to any private lesson; nor shall he leave for any cause except sickness or some urgent reason.
SEC. 10. Every pupil who shall accidentally, or otherwise, injure any school property of whatever description or shall write any pro- fane or unchaste language on any school property, shall be liable to pay in full for all the damage he has done, and shall be subject to the action of the civil law.
Adopted by the School Board, May, 1872.
Rules for making up Reports .- 1. To find the average number be- longing, each week :- Record, each session, the number entitled to seats ; at the end of the week add these items ; divide the sum, thus obtained, by the number of sessions for the week.
2. To find the average attendance, each week :- Record, each session, the number in actual attendance ; at the end of the week, add these items ; divide the sum, thus obtained, by the number of sessions for the week.
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EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL REPORTS.
3. To find the per centum of attendance, each week :- Divide the average attendance by the average number belonging.
4. To find the average daily membership, for the term :- Record, each week, the average number belonging for that week ; at the end of the term, add these items, divide the sum, thus obtained, by the number of weeks.
5. To find the average daily attendance, for the term :- Record, each week, the average attendance for that week ; at the end of the term, add these items ; divide the sum, thus obtained, by the number of weeks.
6. To find the per centum of attendance, for the term :- Divide the average daily attendance by the average daily membership.
NOTE .- If the decimal is rejected in recording the results of Nos. 1 and 2, it must be restored in finding items 4 and 5.
RICHMOND .- Teachers .- 1. Every person before being employed to teach in any school, supported wholly or in part by public money, shall be found qualified according to law.
2. The teachers are expected to make the teaching of their schools their main business, to give to it their best thoughts and energies and devote themselves to it to the exclusion of all other regular employ- ment.
3. It shall be the duty of the teachers to fill all blanks, and make such returns as may be required of them by law, and by the school com- mittee or trustees.
4. In case of difficulty in the discharge of their duties, or when they may desire any temporary indulgence, the teachers shall apply to the Superintendent or Chairman of the Committee for advice and direc- tions.
5. It shall be the duty of teachers and trustees to see that fires are made in cold weather, in their respective school rooms, at a seasonable hour to render them warm and comfortable by school time ; to take care that their rooms are properly swept, dusted and ventilated, and that a due regard to neatness and order is observed ; and they may prescribe such rules for the use of the yard and outbuildings connected with the school house, as shall ensure a neat and proper condition of the same.
6. The government and discipline of the school should be of a mild and parental character, and the teachers should use their best exertions to bring scholars to obedience and a sense of duty by mild measures and kind influences : and in cases where corporal punishment seems abso- lutely necessary, it should be inflicted with judgment and discretion.
7. It shall be the duty of teachers to exercise a general inspection over the conduct of the scholars, not only while in school, but also dur- ing recess, and while coming to, and returning from school.
8. In case of obstinate disobedience or wilful violation of orders, a teacher may suspend a pupil from school for the time being, and shall immediately inform the parents or guardian, and the Superintendent or Chairman of the school Committee of such case ; and shall re-admit the pupil on satisfactory evidence of amendment.
9. It is recommended that the schools be opened in the morning by reading a portion of the Bible, and by the use of the Lord's Prayer.
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10. As regularity and punctuality of attendance are indispensable to the success of a school, it is important to maintain the principle that necessity alone can justify absence ; sickness, domestic affliction, and absence from town, are regarded as the only legitimate causes of absence. In every case of absence, a written or verbal excuse should be required of parents or guardian, on the return of the pupil to school.
11. Every scholar who comes in after the time for the commence- ment of the morning or afternoon session, must present a satisfactory excuse, and a written or verbal excuse shall be required of pupils wish- ing to leave before the close of school.
12. It is recommended that a uniform series of books shall be used in all the schools ; and no teacher shall use or encourage the use of any other books than those authorized by the School Committee.
13. In case any scholar is not provided with the proper books, the teacher shall inform the parents or guardian thereof, and if such parent or guardian shall not, within one week, provide such books, the teacher shall notifiy the trustees of the district, who shall provide the same in the manner prescribed by law.
14. Singing shall be encouraged, and, as far as practicable, taught in all the schools ; not only for its direct intellectual and moral influ- ence, but as a healthy exercise to the lungs, an agreeable recreation to the pupils, and an auxiliary in good government.
15. There shall be a recess of not less than ten, nor more than twenty minutes in each half day, and in no case shall any scholar be deprived of this privilege.
16. The teachers shall take care that the school houses and all the public property entrusted to their charge, are not injured or defaced in any manner whatever.
17. The teachers shall be provided with registers in which they shall enter the name, age and date of entrance of each pupil, record all absences, and mark degrees of merit ; also, all acts of disobedience or violations of orders shall be noted ; and the register shall be at all times subject to the inspection of parents, trustees, Superintendent and School Committee.
18. Teachers may dismiss their schools on all legal holidays, and may devote one day in each month to visit schools in the town.
19. Teachers will be expected to attend all meetings duly notified by the Superintendent of Public Schools. Also one county and the State institute.
20. It is recommended that each teacher give a public examination of his or her school at or near the close of each term.
PUPILS .- 1. Good morals being of the first importance, and essential to their progress in useful knowledge, the pupils are strictly enjoined to avoid all vulgarity and profanity, falsehood and deceit, and every wicked and disgraceful practice ; to conduct themselves in an orderly manner, both in and out of school ; to be diligent and attentive to their studies ; to treat each other politely and kindly in all their intercourse ; to respect and obey all orders of their teachers in relation to conduct and studies, and to be punctual in their daily attendance.
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EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL REPORTS.
2. Every pupil who shall accidently or otherwise, injure any school property, whether fences, gates, trees or shrubs, or any building, or any part thereof, or break any window glass, or injure or destroy any instru- ment, apparatus or furniture belonging to the school, shall be liable to pay all damages, and shall be punished in proportion to the nature and extent of the offence.
3. No scholar of either sex shall be permitted to enter any part of the yard or buildings appropriated to the other, without the teacher's permission.
4. The smoking and chewing of tobacco in or about the school-house are strictly prohibited.
5. The scholars shall clean the mud and dirt from their feet on enter- ing the school room and take their seats in a quiet and respectful man- ner.
Every teacher shall keep a copy of these rules and regulations posted up in the school-room, and shall cause the same to be read aloud in school, at least once in every month.
SCITUATE .- A set of rules and regulations for the benefit of teachers and scholars has been prepared and placed in every school-room in the town. These, it is believed, are of such a character as will commend itself to all, and it is earnestly hoped that they will be strictly enforced. -J. M. BREWSTER, Supt.
SMITHFIELD .- Preamble .- Teachers and candidates for teachers in the public schools, previous to entering upon their engagements, should con- sider it of great importance to become familiar with some of the most approved plans of teaching and governing a school; and should en- deavor, as far as possible, to possess themselves of definite ideas in regard to the solemn duties and responsibilities of their profession.
And in order to aid and assist them in establishing a uniform and systematic course of instruction and discipline, the committee would respectfully submit the following :
Rules .- 1. All the teachers of the public schools are required to be at their respective school-rooms and to ring the bell from ten to fifteen minutes before the time of commencing school in the morning and in the afternoon ; they shall require the pupils, as they enter the room, to be seated in an orderly manner, and prepare for study.
2. The bell shall again be struck, or the hand bell rung, precisely at the specified time for beginning the school, as a signal for commencing the exercises-previous to which all the scholars are expected to be present, and to have made all needful preparations for carrying on the business of the school, in order to prevent all unnecessary movement after the exercises commence.
3. All the public schools shall be opened in the morning by reading a portion of the Scriptures, which may be done by the teacher alone, or in connection with the older pupils-the whole school being required at the same time to suspend all other subjects and to give proper and re- spectful attention ; and this exercise may be followed by prayer, or not, at the discretion of the teacher.
4. Every scholar who comes in after the school bell rings, must pre-
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sent a satisfactory excuse ; and all who cannot do so, shall be con- sidered delinquent, and marked tardy on the teacher's register, subject to examination by parents, trustees and school committee.
5. No teacher shall permit whispering or talking in school, or allow the scholars to leave or change their seats, or to have communication with each other in school time, without permission, but shall strive to maintain that good order and thorough discipline which are absolutely essential to the welfare of the school.
6. It shall be the duty of teachers to guard the conduct of scholars, not only in the hours of school, but at recess, and on their way to and from school, and to extend at all times a watchful care over their morals and manners, endeavoring to inculcate those virtues which lay a sure founda- tion for future usefulness and happiness.
. 7. The government and discipline of the school should be of a mild and parental character. The teacher should use his best exertions to bring scholars to obedience and a sense of duty, by mild measures and kind influences ; and in cases where corporal punishment seems abso- lutely necessary, it should be inflicted with judgment and discretion, and in general, not in presence of the school.
8. Teachers should ever avoid those low, degrading and improper forms of punishment, such as tying up scholars' hands and feet, compel- ling them to hold a weight in their hands with their arms extended, pinching, pulling and wringing their ears, cheeks and arms, and other similar modes, which are sometimes used, as the committee are decidedly of the opinion that a judicious teacher will find other methods of govern- ing more consistent and more effectual.
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