SECOND THE WHITE HEM. Very narrow hems are folded and hemmed on two sides of an oblong piece of white muslin, then two hems an inch wide are basted carefully and hemmed nicely, white thread being used on the white muslin. THIRD SEWING A SEAM AND OVERCASTING. A piece of unbleached muslin is basted with a straight line of basting, about a quarter of an inch from the edge, and with this basting for a guide, the seam stitch, also known as two runs and a back stitch, is sewed. The edges are then trimmed off and overcasted nicely, red thread being used. FOURTH-FELLING ON UNBLEACHED MUSLIN. The child takes a piece of unbleached muslin, folds and cuts two gores, bastes them together as taught and sews the seam with the seam stitch, then the seam is hemmed down evenly, making the felled Red thread is used on this model. seam. FIFTH-THE WHITE FELL. The child having learned the method of sewing the felled seam on the unbleached muslin, now makes the same thing on white muslin, sewing it with white thread. SIXTH-STITCHING AND BACKSTITCHING. Two rows of basting are run on a piece of unbleached muslin, about an inch apart. Then a row of stitching is sewed under the first line of basting, and under the second line a row of backstitching is sewed. The child thus learns these two kinds of sewing and can see the difference between them, and learn to distinguish one from the other. This completes the lessons in the second year's work. In regard to the past year's work would say that it has been a satisfactory one. The classes have done very good work. I think better teaching could be given if it were possible to have a room in each school to which the classes could be sent, as is done at the Liberty Street School. Report of Truant Officer. James M. Crane, Superintendent of Public Schools, Sir:-I submit for your consideration my report for the year ending June 30, 1903. The year has brought some changes in the Compulsory Law, which I think will be of benefit to those that come under its provisions, and will also secure a better attendance in the schools. The change in the requirement of one hundred and thirty days attendance at school previous to going to work, will keep quite a number in school longer, as they cannot work between twelve and fourteen years of age, as they formerly could. The amendment to the law in regard to keeping truants two years instead of until the end of the term, will no doubt be of benefit, as they will not be so anxious at the latter part of the school term to go and see what a truant school is like, for they might have to stay there through the vacation and another year beside. The enforcement of the law has been in compliance with its spirit, (instead of the letter), thereby proving to the people (like all other wise laws) its primary purpose was protection, not punishment; a protection of the children of the state in the enjoyment of a free education at the expense of the public. The increase in attendance at our schools has kept pace with our increase in school census, as our schools are full to overflowing, notwithstanding a number of rooms have been added since last report. During the year there have been twelve sent to the truant school, nine to Westchester Temporary Home, and three to the New York Catholic Protectory. The sum of $208 and a large quantity of clothing, contributed by the pupils of the different schools at Thanksgiving, was turned over to me for distribution to needy school children. About 150 children were helped in this way. The money was used to buy shoes and rubbers. There were 158 pairs of shoes and 23 pairs of rubbers. bought. The following is a summary of my work for the year: Children kept at home by parents (temporary necessity) 168 Children kept at home by parents (neglect)... 115 Children kept at home by sickness.. 337 Children kept at home by poverty 66 Children transferred from one school to another.. 72 Left the city 47 79 267 At work Children found to be truants and returned to school.... School by parents through officer. Children found to be non-attendants and placed in school.. Children found employed contrary to Compulsory Act and placed in school 12 54 29 II Respectfully submitted, C. B. GALATIAN, Report of Musical Director of Free Academy. To the Superintendent of Public Schools, The following is presented as the annual report of the Musical Director for the school year 1902-1903: I have been at the morning assembly an average of more than four times each week, and, as usual, toward the close of the school year, devoted one school period in the morning to the practice of music for the Academic Commencement, and one period in the afternoon to prepare the Grammar pupils for their Commencement. During the school year we have given five public receptions at the Academy, for Thanksgiving Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Arbor Day and Flag Day. Three of these take the place of the afternoon school session. Lincoln's Birthday and Flag Day were held at the opening of the morning session. At these entertainments the singing by the school has been accompanied by the Academy Orchestra, who have also rendered two or three instrumental selections at each reception. The orchestra was very nearly up to the high standard of the previous year, and with the assistance of three members of former orchestras, accompanied the singing and rendered three selections at the Grammar School Commencement. Instruction in vocal music to pupils intending to go to a Normal School, was given once a week, for fifteen minutes, at the end of the last period in the afternoon, for the full number of lessons required by the Normal Schools. In this connection I may be permitted to say that our attendants at Normal Schools were not only able to pass exams in vocal music, but in the case of one Normal School, also took a leading part in the musical exercises. A class for improvement in vocal music was held once a week during a considerable portion of the school year. Respectfully submitted, S. W. HOLDREDGE. |