term as they have been, it is impossible to teach them or any the work of the grade, and if allowed to get what they can, habits of indifference and unrest are formed. This, I think, can be obviated by admitting beginners during September and February. Those who are not old enough to be admitted in September are not too old to be admitted in February.

The grades in our school remained quite the same as in the preceding year with the exception of two classes. It seemed to be necessary at the outset to form a new fourth grade class, thereby forcing us to place another first grade on half day time.

Miss Jennie McGiffert and Miss Anna F. Wells have completed their first year in our school. They both have fourth grade work, which they have done in a most acceptable manner. Miss Helen R. Hunter was transferred from Liberty Street School at the beginning of the year and has done first grade work very successfully. On account of ill health it was necessary for her to give up the work during the latter part of the year. Miss Ethel McCullough filled the vacancy very commendably during May and June.

Every grade in the school is being supplied with a library suitable for the demands of the grade. The entire number of books in the library is 738, of which 95 were added during the past year.

The law concerning the teaching of physiology has been complied with, and a Fire Drill has been practiced at least once each month.

At Thanksgiving time a special offering was made for the Shoe Fund of our city and $87 was the magnificent sum raised. We deem this a most worthy cause and we know of no way in which greater good can come to the less fortunate boys and girls in our midst. Special programs were rendered at Christmas time and Arbor Day. Intense interest was shown in these observations and I think I can unhesitatingly say that the one given for Arbor Day was the best of the kind I ever witnessed. The patriotic days during the year were observed also.

I wish to express our sincerest appreciation and deepest gratitude to you, the members of the Board of Education, and Clergy of this city, who have addressed us with so much earnestness on these and other occasions.

We have enjoyed from time to time the official visits of your

self and your Honorable Board of Education. We feel that these visits are a great stimulus to every individual teacher and pupil for renewed effort to make the work what it should be. Coming as a stranger in your midst I feel very deeply the many courtesies which you have shown me and which have made my first year in your service a most happy one.

Our building at all times has been kept in prime condition. Every detail of the work has been done with the utmost promptness and care. Every teacher and pupil joins me in thanking our janitor for sparing no effort in making our school home pleasant and comfortable.

Respectfully submitted,

June 26, 1906.

IRA D. MINARD,

Principal.

Report of Principal of West Street School.

Mr. James M. Crane, Superintendent of Schools:

I present herewith a brief report of the West Street School covering the school year 1905-1906.

The course of study remaining substantially the same as heretofore, nothing specially new was attempted; but, good, steady, effective work was done, day by day, with results generally satisfactory. The teachers worked faithfully, and most of the pupils responded in good spirit.

We must notice that those pupils who advance steadily through the year, making sure of their promotion at its close, are those whose parents show an interest in their school work; these parents see that there is regularity in attendance; they keep informed of the progress of their children as shown by their monthly report books; and, they encourage them to put their best efforts into their school work. We always have some pupils whose attendance is irregular, and in many cases it seems without sufficient reason. It might be well to have printed copies made of a number of the rules of the Board of Education-Sec. 123-128, for instance-which, if sent to indifferent parents would serve to remind them of their Tesponsibility in the matter.

The total registration for the year ending June, 1906, was four hundred and five; the yearly average, three hundred and twentyfive. The greatest number in attendance at any time was in May, 1906, when there were three hundred and eighty-four pupils, with an average of three hundred and forty-three. The enrollment for September of this year was three hundred and ninety-two, being twenty-two in excess of that of September, 1905. During the year we lost sixty-one pupils-thirty-three by removal, twenty-eight were compelled to find employment. The only class crowded was the lowest primary, which we were obliged to divide into half day

classes. This September so many beginners entered that we were compelled to consolidate the two fifth grade classes, which were small, that we might have a room for an extra second grade. We could have formed another class had there been another room.

When we consider the number of children compelled to leave school before they complete the course, it would seem that evening classes would be a great advantage. To carry out effectively the amended compulsory education law nearly every child between the ages of fourteen and sixteen should attend them; and, I believe that if, in addition to the required subjects, manual training, physical training, and music were added there would be no trouble in making up full classes well attended.

The growth of the school library in popularity and usefulness has been steady. This year eighty new books were added, making a total of six hundred and thirty-four. The circulation was two thousand one hundred and four. As the above figures do not include those used in classrooms by teachers, nor those used by first and second grade pupils, where books are not usually taken from the room, it is evident that the class libraries are being well used and are much appreciated.

It is of interest to note the large number of books used by children who range from ten to twelve years of age. The mechanics of reading having been mastered at this period, they find it easier to read, and discover the pleasure to be gained from interesting books. We have often wished that two or three good magazines like The Four Track News, Current Events, or Our Times could be added to our library or supplementary reading list.

One addition was made to our list of text books: The Ward Fourth Reader, which is quite as popular as the other numbers of the Ward books. All of our teachers would welcome a change in physiologies; also, the use of paper and pencil, or ink, instead of slates. The gain in cleanliness alone would be reason enough for the increase in expense. The slate can be kept clean, but not

the felt-edged frame.

The past year was the second in which we had bi-monthly reviews in each subject taught, and the results have confirmed us in the opinion that it is better than the former plan of one each week. All grades, from the third up, have these reviews, changing rooms

while taking them. I believe that pupils of the third grade should have their written reviews for the first half of the year, at least, in their own classroom under the care of their own teacher.

With one exception our corps of teachers remains the same. We regret that Miss Mary Caldwell has severed her connection with the school. She has resigned her position here to accept a more remunerative one in New York. After teaching successfully in this school six years, she leaves it highly respected by the children who have come under her care, and by her associate teachers. The vacancy caused by her resignation was filled by the appointment of Miss Katherine M. Ross, a graduate of The Jamaica Normal School.

The work in drawing was highly commended by the supervisor of drawing. Each class in the school was represented in the annual exhibit at the Academy Assembly Hall in June. Two cards, one from the second grade work and one from the third grade, were among the mounts selected to represent our work in drawing at the Orange County fair.

What has been said in former reports regarding the care of building and grounds may be repeated. Our janitor is untiring in his efforts for improvement of the grounds and in his care of the building.

In conclusion I wish to express to the teachers of West Street School my gratitude for their hearty co-operation, to the members of the Board of Education our appreciation of the liberality with which they have supplied necessities for the success of our school work, and to thank you, personally, for your courtesy and encouragement.

Respectfully submitted,

September 28, 1906.

AGNES C. MILLER,

Principal.