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 22
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Let the heating apparatus be as nearly perfect as may be, and do not let the feelings of the teacher be the only test of the proper amount of heat.
Constant ventilation and equable warming is absolutely essential. Be- sides this, I always, even in our cold winter, throw open both outer and inner windows for a few moments in the run out and after school. If floors and walls are warm, the cold air is quickly heated ; 60° to 65° is the most healthy temperature. All plans of warming the room air in- stead of bringing in fresh are very bad.
The difficulties to be overcome in ventilating school rooms are very great, but not too great to be conquered by intelligence and money, both of which are at our disposal, but neither of which is willingly ap- plied to the problem of ventilation by building committees, with whom, rather than with architects, the responsibility seems to lie.
But the trouble is, that every tolerable system of ventilation is expen- sive, and those having the matter in charge cannot bring themselves to lay out much money on that which will make no show whatever. Nev- ertheless, it is the fact that in our climate for seven months in every year, fresh air cannot be had within doors without paying money for it. Not only does it presuppose a somewhat expensive arrangement of ducts and flues, but it requires for the efficient working of these, when provided, more fuel than we like to pay for. Three things must be done ; first, supply fresh air; second, warm it before bringing it into the room ; third, get rid of it after it has been breathed once. In rooms heated by stoves, or by steam pipes in the room, the first and second demands cannot be met except by transforming them into "portable furnaces." To meet the third, requires both larger, more numerous, and differently placed openings and ducts, than are to be found in one school house in a hundred, and, in addition to these, a shaft or flue of ample size and well heated, and these all cost money. But then pure air is a necessity to health.
RICHMOND .- We have often said that one of the great essentials to a good school is a good school-house. In most of the districts we have good houses and well furnished, but there is still a want. A better ventilation is necessary to the health and progress of the pupils. We do not like the mode of ventilating by dropping the windows-there should be ventilators attached to every school room, so as to keep the atmos- phere and the heat equal in the room. Look to it. The health of the children demands that you should.
One or two new houses are needed, and one other house needs en- larging, so that the school may be graded. Will those personally interest ed give it their special attention? District No. 8 has done honor to itself
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by thoroughly repairing its house and furnishing it with modern im- provements .- GILBERT TILLINGHAST, Supt.
SCITUATE .- During the past few years, much has been done, and very properly done, for the improvement of school-houses, and, with a few exceptions, they are now in a very good condition .- J. M. BREWSTER, Supt.
SMITHFIELD .- The people of District No. 9 have just completed a new school-house on the site of the old academy, at an expense of over $8,- 000. It is of ample proportions, and convenient arrangement ; being 37 feet wide and 55 feet in length, 12 feet betwixt floors in the upper and lower rooms. It is heated by a furnace in the basement, and has closets or wardrobes for the convenience of the scholars, with yards, fences, and other appendages of fine appearance.
The committee have found the necessary alterations of the boundary lines of the districts, and locating school houses, a difficult, dissatisfact- ory, thankless work ; but have labored to do in this direction what, in their judgment, is best calculated to promote, for time to come, the cause of education in the town.
This is their duty, irrespective of the interest of any one person or locality. If this is done, every citizen has his rights ; and if intelligent and public-spirited, will consent to it. In every department of human society, individual concessions must be made for the general good. The civil government of any State has to yield something to the general gov- ernment. Taxes are assessed on individual property, as much to the advantage of the tax 'payers as for the government, since he shares equally the protection of the law. In neither town or State, can any person enjoy alike, the benefits of a public institution.
And changes in town lines and landed property necessarily make it more favorable to some than to others.
But if the greater and ultimate good of the whole is secured, the end is gained, and all should cheerfully acquiesce. This principle is es- sential to the harmony and thrift of society, to the success of any public en- terprise and civil jurisprudence. It is recognized and sealed by divine providence in the work of creation, preservation and redemption .- M. W. BURLINGAME, Supt.
TIVERTON .-- The new school-house in the Bridgeport District, built at an expense, including grounds, of about $4,600. was dedicated in September. It pleased the committee to accept this house. It is built of the best material and in the most thorough manner, and is equal to the demands of the times. The school-house in District No. 12 has been put into excellent order, at an expense of about $325 .- School Committee.
WARREN -Repairs .- The amount expended under this head, has been unusually heavy. It is the duty of the committee to see that the school property is properly cared for.
Ventilation-The Committee took this matter promptly in hand at the beginning of the summer vacation, and adopted the plan in successful operation at the Miller street school-house, known as Leach's system.
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The expense was considerably greater than was anticipated, owing to the following causes, viz. : the removal of the brick furnace in the south end of the cellar ; the re-arranging of the hot air pipes and registers con- nected with this furnace, and the new cold air chamber or box which was made of brick. The whole arrangement has been completed in the best manner, and has proved as was anticipated a complete success. The whole expenditure amounts to something over nine hundred dollars ; a trifle when compared with the benefits of the healthful influences result- ing from it, in the improved condition of the atmosphere of the school- rooms .- School Committee.
Within the past few years, many improvements have been generously secured to the schools by the town .- S. K. DEXTER, Supt.
WESTERLY .- During the year the school houses in Districts Nos. 3 and 10, condemned by the Committee during the previous year, have given place to new and substantial buildings located in the most pleas- ant portions of the respective districts, and are furnished with the new and improved school furniture. The house in District No. 3 was erect- ed at an expense of $2,000, and the house in District No. 10 at an ex- pense of $1,600, and the respective districts are to be congratulated that the houses are paid for .- School Committee.
WEST GREENWICH .- The subject of school-houses and school-pro- perty seems to be one of the most vexing in our common school sys- tem, in our country districts. Nothing seems to come so grudging as taxes for the improvement or building of school-houses.
It is, therefore, encouraging to be able to report progress in this di- rection, and I hope the day is not far distant when a wiser policy will prevail.
District Number Six has, during the past year, expended about two hundred and twenty five dollars, materially improving the appearance and comfort of their old house.
Mr. Wm. Reed, who owns the larger part of District Number Seven, has, during the past year, erected a new building for school purposes which is now occupied by using temporary seats. With the addition of furniture to match the finishing of the room it will be by far the pleas- antest school-room in the town.
I regret to say that District Number Eight is still without a school- house .- CHAS. F. CARPENTER, Supt.
WOONSOCKET .- The hopes of a year ago have not been realized. Not- withstanding the strenuous endeavors of the Committee, the want, in different localities, of better school accommodations, has not been met.
The explanation of the fact is presumed to be understood in the com- munity .- CHAS J. WHITE, Supt.
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SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
BURRILLVILLE .- To School Committee :- Perhaps your expectations of an annual.report, ought to be tempered by the brevity of my official service. This service has been long enough, however, to convince me of the importance of the office, as also how much time and expense, a faithful discharge of its duties involves. When you consider the wide and lengthy area over which the work of Superintendent extends, to- gether with the fact that, in the absence of a single unit of the least value, his pecuniary reward would amount to nothing, you will readily acknowledge that his work, as well as your own, is chiefly a labor of love .- WILLIAM FITZ, Supt.
CHARLESTOWN .- The duties of this office require more time and labor than most men can really devote to it, especially when the compensation is so small. This work, which the welfare of the schools demands, calls for an individual of much leisure, to whom a suitable remuneration should be paid .- WM. F. TUCKER, Supt.
CRANSTON .- We cannot expect to teach everything, but it should be our constant endeavor to teach all we can. The work of school supervision in a town whose districts are as widely separated as those of Cranston, necessarily involves a considerable outlay of time and money. It would be unjust to those upon whom this work may hereafter devolve, not to say that the salary at present paid the Superintendent, is altogether too small. Either his office and traveling expenses should be paid, in addi- tion to the salary now allowed, or he should be paid by the day, at a rate that would be something like a fare compensation for the services rendered .- DANIEL G. ANDERSON, Supt.
HOPKINTON .- The law requires each school to be visited twice during each term, and each department of graded schools, requires a special visit, in order to ascertain its standing and progress. Allowing but three terms to each district, and four departments extra in the two graded schools, and ninety-six legal visits are necessary ; and if there are four terms to each district, then one hundred and twenty-eight visits would be legally required. Not less than half of a day ought to be devoted to each visit, and in many of the schools a whole day scarcely suffices for an ex- amination of the classes. There are also many other days in which the Superintendent will be called upon to adjudicate in matters of difficulty between scholars and teachers and parents. From fifteen to thirty or more teachers are to be examined and certificated each year, requiring at least from one to two weeks time, and in addition to this, not less than two or three weeks are necessary to compile and properly prepare. the annual report. The law requires the School Committee and Super- intendent to hold at least four regular meetings annually, and as many more as may be necessary. A quarterly meeting of the Superintendents of all the towns in the State is held in Providence, which would occupy four days more. Thus, to fulfill all the duties of the Superintendent's office will make a demand on his time for some one hundred and twenty-
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five days annually. This, including the correspondence, which for this year now closing has required the writing of nearly 200 letters, imposes quite an onerous tax upon a Superintendent, while stationery and post- age stamps will involve a pecuniary tax of some ten or fifteen dollars per year. The minutes of this year will cover some 20 pages of the large folio record book of the Committee. The above facts are mentioned simply to show somewhat of the duties and labors of a Superintendent and School Committee .- S. S. GRISWOLD, Supt.
NEWPORT .- Owing to a change made in the city charter, various offi- cers of the city government, the School Committee and Superintendent of Public Schools, instead of being appointed by the city council as before, are now elected by the people .- T. H. CLARKE, Supt.
NEW SHOREHAM .- Duties of Superintendent .- To examine all teach- ers who may apply to teach our public schools, and give certificates of qualification, to such as are qualified according to law. To visit each school twice in a term. On the last visit to hear all the classes recite, to examine the writing books, and the general aspect of the schoolroom and school, and see that the Register is properly kept, and make such suggestions to the teacher and school, as in his judgment would be bene- ficial to make out a report of our schools .- HIRAM D. BALL, Clerk.
NORTH KINGSTOWN .- During the past year I have made 80 school visits, devoted to such educational interests, relating both to teachers and scholars, as seemed most to require careful attention or service. But in the absence of any rules prescribed by the School Committee, to guide the Superintendent in his supervision of our public schools, he may have omitted some necessary duty, or he may have traveled out of his proper sphere and done that which he ought not to do. If, in either case, he has sinned, it is for want of a definite understanding of what his duty is in his relations to public schools. He would, therefore, recommend that the Committee adopt such rules for the guidance of their Superintendent as will render his services efficient, and guard him against such sins of omission and commission, as he may, in the absence of such regulations, be liable to commit .- A. B. CHADSEY, Supt.
PAWTUCKET .- At a regular meeting of the Committee, it was decided that the duties of the Superintendent be as follows :
1st. He shall conduct the examination of teachers in the presence of the Committee.
2d. He shall visit and examine each school at least twice during each term, and report its condition at each quarterly meeting of the School Board.
3d. It shall be his duty to hear and decide all questions and com- plaints which may arise from parents, teachers and pupils. To his decision they must submit or appeal to the School Committee.
4th. He shall have charge of the school-houses, and see that they are properly cared for.
5th. All incidental expenses shall be made under his direction, and no bill, whether for salaries or otherwise, shall be paid until examined and certified to as correct by him.
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SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
6th. He shall, in general, attend to all duties which may be assigned to him by the School Committee.
These regulations have formed the base of my official duties, and also the text of my report .- PHANUEL E. BISHOP, M. D., Supt.
PORTSMOUTH .- We deem it proper to again call the attention of the electors to the necessity of securing the efficient services of some person who can give the time necessarily required for the proper performance of the duties of superintendent of schools. To secure such service, a fair compensation should be paid. The present superintendent has giv- en such gratuitous service as the duties of another office would permit. -School Committee.
SCITUATE .- In entering upon the duties assigned me I did not do it without sense of their nature and the responsibility which they im- posed. It has been my constant aim to perform these duties faithfully and impartially.
The most arduous task which has devolved upon me has been the visitation of schools. To visit nineteen schools, scattered over so large a territory, on an average of six times or more each, requires time and labor. In the performance of this work, in many instances, I have been accompanied by Rev. J. Q. Adams, whose service I found to be of great value. The bearing and conduct of trustees, teachers and scholars have been generally kind and obliging, and there has been a general readi- noss to acquiesce in, and carry out, the suggestions made. The visits which I have made to the schools have not been pastimes, but quite the reverse. I have often substantially taken charge of the school and conducted the recitations. Such a course, I am persuaded, results beneficially to both teachers and scholars. In the examination of schools, I have sought to depart from the usual routine of questions as found in text-books, and thus to elicit the information which scholars had obtained that would be useful in practical life .- J. M. BREWSTER, Supt.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN .- With a single exception-when due notice had been given, as the rules and regulations governing our public schools require-the Superintendent has not failed to make the contemplated visits to each school.
Eighteen months ago we arranged the plan of taking exact notes in the first visit to a school, with a view of converting the final visit into an ex- amination. And we have sought to impress upon both teachers and scholars the importance of assigning the lessons and of conducting the recitations with a view to this end-to act, not from a spirit of ambi- tion or rivalry, but from a principle, to sce how much could be learned and remembered, and, what is more, recited intelligently at the close of each term .- ELISHA F. WATSON, Supt.
SMITHFIELD .- It was agreed that the superintendent visit all the schools in town, as specified by law, and have the general care and oversight thereof; examine teachers, and give certificates of qualification to teach ; make a written report at the close of the school year of the condition of the schools ; suggest any plans for their improvement, and sign all orders on the treasury.
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It was voted that a circular of twenty-five copies be printed for the use of the school officers stating the sum of money assigned to the re- spective districts : the dates of the quarterly meetings of the board, and the duties of the superintendent.
About one-half of the superintendent's time, the past year, has been employed in looking after the interests of the schools. The regular and special meetings of the board-examining teachers, writing certificates and orders for money ; aiding in the boundary of districts, and locating school-houses ; making some one hundred visits to the schools ; meeting the numerous calls of the commissioner ; providing for and regulating the evening schools ; frequent consultations with the other members of the board, trustees, and others ; writing the report and getting it print- ed, to say nothing of the expenses of horse hire, and other means of travel .- M. W. BURLINGAME, Supt.
WARWICK .- A sufficient compensation should be given to the Superin- tendent of public schools in this town, to enable him to devote his whole attention to the wants of the schools. The plan at present pur- sued is, to let him attend to his business in life. and to make the superin- tendency secondary. If a superintendent is worth anything, he should receive an adequate compensation for his labors. Under the present arrangement, the amount received by the Superintendent, barely covers his expenses of horse hire and loss of time from his business. If the appropriations would allow, I would recommend that my successor in office be allowed such compensation as would enable him to devote his time exclusively to the interests of the public schools in this town. We believe that in regard to the other officials in the town, that the laborer is worthy of his hire, and why should not the Superintendent of public schools in this town have definite duties assigned him, and a sufficient amount given him to enable him to live independent of any business that he may be engaged in? In other words, let the superintendency of schools be a business, and let the Superintendent attend to that and noth- ing else. Let him go into each school ; examine each class, and while in the school, be the virtual teacher of each class. By so doing he will infuse life and vitality into schools that are dead, and quicken into re- newed activity those that are living .- W. V. SLOCUM, Supt.
WARREN .- The Committee fully endorse the sentiments expressed by the Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell, Commissioner of the Public Schools of Rhode Island, that "no more important office exists, in connection with the successful working of our school system," than that of Town Superin- tendent. "Supervision, intelligent and constant supervision, is the great want of our schools." The Superintendent, according to this same high authority, " should be a man who knows how to organize, classify and govern a school. He should understand methods of instruction better than the teachers, and should be capable of arousing enthusiasm in teacher and pupil. He should, in fact, be a full, complete educator." If, as he states, " a good superintendent is worth more to a town than one or more of its best teachers," it is eminently proper that he should be compensated in such manner as to recognize, in a degree, the value and importance of the services rendered.
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SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
The Committee congratulate the citizens of Warren, and especially the patrons and friends of our public schools, upon the efficiency and faith- fulness of their Superintendent, who brings to the office the requisite qualifications, and has exercised them, during the past year, with a de- gree of patience and devotion, which has relieved the Committee of many burdens, and secured to the schools unquestioned advantages. In return for which, he has received little more than the consciousness of having blessed others, and aided in that grandest of all works,-the ele- vation of humanity. They would respectfully suggest that such an in- crease of the nominal salary should be made, as will indicate some ap- precation of the office and work of the Superintendent .- School Com- mittee.
As the Superintendent conceives the sphere of his duties, it is strictly educational. Whatever relates to the educational interests of the schools of the town should receive his careful attention and service.
With this conviction in mind, and guided also by the special rules passed for his benefit, he has sought to discharge the duties of his office during the past year .- S. K. DEXTER, Supt.
WESTERLY .- I have made seventy-two visits, and at each visit remain- ed in the school-room a sufficient length of time to hear all the classes recite, and to give such advice and counsel to teachers and pupils as the wants of each school seemed to demand .- H. M. EATON, Supt.
WEST GREENWICH .- Some of the schools have not been visited by your Superintendent. If the trustees of the several districts wish the Superintendent to perform his duty in visiting the schools, they should see that he has notice of the opening and closing of the schools in their districts, as directed by law : Chap. 52, Sec. 2, General Statutes. On the thorough supervision of the schools depend much of their usefulness. -CHAS. F. CARPENTER, Supt.
STUDIES.
BRISTOL .- Music .- In October last, the Committee decided that it was very desirable to teach singing in the schools, in a more thorough man- ner than heretofore. After careful inquiries and considerations, the Committee decided to engage the services, for the remainder of the year, of Prof. A. Jantz of Providence, a gentleman of much experience and quite well known in this community. His success with the pupils that have been under his charge, has shown that the selection was a judicious one. As the scholars are becoming more and more accustom- ed to him and his method of teaching, the improvement is much more manifest than was apparent in the Autumn. There is reason to believe that this department of education will, hereafter, receive the attention which its importance demands.
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Map Drawing .- This branch of education has been introduced into the Grammar Schools during the year, as a regular school exercise, the proficiency displayed by many of the scholars, especially in the first Grammar, where the improvement would, naturally, be most conspicu- ous, is quite remarkable. A pupil is called upon, by the teacher, to draw a map of some state or territory or of some foreign country, and it is done entirely from memory, with but little hesitation, and with great accuracy, the rivers, mountains and principal cities being correct- ed located.
Geography in Primary Schools .- The advantage of teaching Geogra- phy in the schools of the lower grades has, sometimes, been questioned, because, as has been said, the children were too young to understand it ; but those who have seen this exercise as it is conducted in the Prim- ary Schools of this town, and the appreciation of the subjects shown by the pupils in their daily recitations, have not long remained in doubt respecting the propriety and wisdom of teaching Geography in these schools. The manner of hearing the recitations in this study has chang- ed very much within two or three years and seems to have produced the most desirable results. It is very much to be regretted that parents so seldom visit the schools and judge for themselves concerning the ex- tent and value of the work that is performed in them.
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