said, however, that our system of regarding every name on a six months' register as a Term pupil, and including it in the divisor, whether the pupil has been present for a week only, or for 23 weeks, for a day or for 120 days-thus taking the time made by the most regular pupils to give an average to those who are dead, who have removed from the city, who have left school to go to work, who are kept from school by contagious or other diseases at their homes, or who are persistant truants- contributes in no small degree to reduce the high figures we could otherwise show, in common with other cities of like population and educational advantages in the United States, where no such lengthened period for rectification is demanded. With a monthly return, special effort on the part of teachers and parents, and the absence of epidemics, it would not be difficult to reach a daily average of 90 per cent. of the monthly enrolment of all the schools in the city. STANDARDS AND BRANCHES of Study. In general, all the prescribed branches are well taught, and with proper application to school work, no pupil need go out into the world without a fair equipment for life's duties, in whatever direction such duties may lie. The following figures show the number of pupils reported in the several standards of instruction for each school term: The number of enrolled pupils receiving instruction in the several subjects of th course embraced within the several standards was as follows: At the end of June there were belonging to the schools 2,678 boys and 3,080 girls, a total of 5,758, of whom 4,044, or 70.23 per cent., were advanced, in accordance with returns made up and placed in the hands of teachers at the re-opening of the schools after the Midsummer Vacation. The following table will show the number of departments in the several buildings, the number of pupils enrolled, the average monthly belonging for the term, the average daily attendance, and the number of pupils promoted: The number advanced in the several standards was as follows: Standards..... I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. ARBOR DAY. Totals. 4044 May 19th was observed as Arbor Day in all our schools. Though we have few opportunities for tree planting, yet the occasion did not lack enthusiasm on the part of teachers or pupils. Addresses upon the day and its purpose; upon the work of the Horticultural Society in laying out flower beds on the Squares, and the duty of the young to refrain from encroaching upon or destroying the work they have in hand; lessons on plant life; drawing plant and flower forms on the blackboards; readings, recitations and songs; planting seeds and slips in boxes and pots; clearing up school yards; making flower beds, and setting out plants; and tree planting; these formed the general work of the day, and although the number of visitors was not very great at any one place, there was sufficient interest shown to gratify the children, and strengthen the hands of the teachers in this work. A partial summary of the actual work of planting shows that 131 plants were set out, 20 flower beds laid out and stocked with flowering plants, 118 boxes of seed planted for window decoration, 6 yards cleared up, and 23 trees set out. GATHERINGS OF TEACHERS. The Educational Institnte opened its sessions in the hall of the Normal School, Fredericton, on Wednesday, June 28th, the attendance of the St. John teachers being quite large. Many subjects of great inportance were brought under discussion and referred to the executive, or carried over for further consideration. The question of changes in text books was reported on by the committee of teachers who had the business in hand during the previous year, but as their work was incomplete, they were requested to continue their enquiries and deliberations for another year. The papers read upon methods of teaching, examinations and grading of pupils, etc., were of a high order, and the dicussions brought out many valuable suggestions which teachers doubtless turned to good account when they went back to their work after the summer vacation. Taken throughout, the proceedings were very satisfactory, and indicated a marked advance along the whole line of educational work. The Saint John County Teachers' Institute was held on December 21st and 22nd, in the hall of the Centennial School. Almost all of the city teachers were present, and all the papers read were by members of our own staff. The first day was devoted to routine work, and discussion of papers on school discipline, composition, and drawing. On the second day a paper was read on physics, and then round table talks for grades 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 and 8, the subjects discussed being written work in number-methods and results; division, vulgar and decmial fractions; grammar; arithmetic, and letter writing. A discussion was had upon grading, and after the election of officers for the present year the Institute adjourned. PARTICULARS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BY DEPARTMENTS. |