schools is now an excessive burden in many districts even with the increased state aid. The variation in the tax rate among the rural schools is so great as of itself to establish the need fo a reform. All competent to speak upon the subject agree that there should be a different unit both for purposes of taxation and administration. An act was passed in 1917 to establish a township system, but the attempt was unfortunately inaugurated and produced conditions which led to the repeal of the act the next year. Any change now made to be successful must have back of it the support of those immediately and vitally concerned in the rural school problem. No new system imposed upon the rural population of the state from Albany will be likely to succeed. Fortunately a joint committee on rural schools composed largely of representatives of farm organizations has been studying the problem for nearly two years. I understand that that committee is about ready to report. that it will be able to recommend a definite plan of improvement and I urge that the subject receive the consideration which its vast importance demands. It is unnecessary to emphasize the importance to all of our people, the city dwellers and those on the farm, of solving our rural school problem. The modern methods of communication tend to make farm life more attractive, but it is essential to the maintenance or the proper balance between our rural and urban population that the means of educating children in the rural communities compare more favorably with those in cities and villages.' I trust -Dr. Chester S. Lord, former managing editor of the New York Sun and now chancellor of the University of the State of New York, is to address the January graduating class of the Oswego Normal Training School on January 27, 1922, according to an announcement by Principal James G. Riggs. of -The New York State School Police, Troy, N. Y., organized under laws of 1921, has been officially approved by the State Board of Regents as the standard school for police education in the state. This is the first time in the history of the United States that police education has been standardized and officially recognized by a board of regents. Major George F. Chandler, superintendent of state police, is director of the school. -The New York State Board of Regents recently conferred the degree of LL. D. upon the Italian envoy, Senator Vittorio Rolando-Ricci. When presented to Dr. Frank P. Graves, state education commissioner, the distinguished guest was characterized as a scholar, teacher, jurist, diplomat, and leader in his native country, in every branch of human endeavor. -At a meeting of the Student Association of the New York State Teachers' College on December 16, the plan for establishing a college infirmary was outlined by Dr. Caroline Croasdale, college physician, and was adopted by the body. According to the plan each student at the college will pay an annual tax of $1.50 which will go towards a college infirmary fund. This fund will be used when necessary to pay the hospital expenses of students who may become seriously ill while attending college. -One hundred sixty-eight of the 250 former school nurses in the state have already qualified as health teachers and are now employed as such by boards of education throughout the state. When so employed the state pays the regular quota toward the salary of the health teacher. -Dr. William A. Howe, state medical inspector of schools, has been invited to address three large meetings of teachers in New Hampshire. The invitation is regarded as an expression of appreciation of the successful health work that is being carried on in the schools in this state under the direction of the department of education. The meetings will be held in Portsmouth, Nashua and Keene on February 1, 2 and 3. Albany County -Albany's part-time school has made a notable record. From a small registration on September 1, 1920 the enrollment has increased to over 850 and the school ranks fifth among the cities of the state. In compliance with the compulsory education law, three courses are established-commercial, home-making, industrial. In each there are taken up such academic subjects as English, history, economics, mathematics, hygiene and civics. The commercial course consists of bookkeeping, typewriting, stenography, office practice and procedure, and filing. Additional courses are offered in advanced home economics for the girls and practical courses for the boys, which include sheet metal work, mechanical drafting, machine shop practice and printing. A great share of the success of the undertaking belongs to Charles H. Jones, the principal, who devotes his entire time to the school and to seeing that all children of the required ages are in regular attendance. -Miss Mary A. Murray, a teacher of Public School No. 5, Albany, who had been connected with the Albany public schools for more than forty years, died December 8. She was a faithful teacher, was held in high esteem by her associates, and leaves behind her a notable record of service to the youth of Albany. -Allan P. Cook has been appointed head of the English department of the Albany high school to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. Stevens Kadesch, who left to become principal of the high school at Medford, Mass. Mr. Cook is a graduate of Syracuse University, and has done graduate work in Columbia University. He has been teaching English for the last 10 years. -John J. Gannon, clerk of the Albany board of education, widely known throughout Albany and the Capitol District, died December 2 at the Albany Hospital after a short illness. Mr. Gannon was appointed clerk in 1886 and retained this position during the past 35 years. -To show his appreciation for education received in Cohoes, A. Desgrange of Providence, R. I., in a letter to the Cohoes board of education has asked the board to accept a bust of Lincoln, mounted on a pedestal, to be placed in the new high school as an inspiration to pupils. When Desgrange came to Cohoes from Canada, residents aided him in mastering English. This, he declares, has been responsible for his success in business. -The pupils in the Watervliet public schools have contributed $54 to the fund to erect two schools in France. A draft for this amount has been sent to the state department of education by Superintendent H. H. Lansing. -Walter L. Hutchins, secretary to Mayor James R. Watt, whose term of office expired December 31, heads the civil service list for the position of clerk of the Albany board of education, which was made vacant by the recent death of John J. Gannon. The next highest on the list of fifteen candidates who took the qualifying examination are David E. Pugh, former city clerk, and Philip O. Pratt. Broome County -The week of December 4-10, which President Harding designated as American Education Week, was widely observed in the Binghamton public schools. Many parents, patrons and friends of the schools accepted the invitation of Supt. D. J. Kelly to visit the schools, inspect the buildings, witness the actual work that is being carried on in the regular and special classes, make suggestions and offer constructive criticism. The people of Binghamton take a commendable pride in their well organized and efficiently administered school system. Without neglecting any of the essential subjects of the curriculum, the Binghamton schools have accomplished much in the field of health training and education and in stressing the fundamentals of good citizenship. Carefully prepared and complete courses in both of these subjects are now given. Chautauqua County -At a recent meeting of the Jamestown Teachers' Association, the following resolution was adopted: Whereas: The membership of the New York State Teachers' Association is over ninety per cent women, and Whereas: The present committees of the Association are composed of twenty-nine men and nine women: Be it resolved, that since the above representation is manifestly unfair, the president of the New York State Teachers' Association should appoint more women to the committees of the Association, giving them at least an equal representation with the men. And, be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution be sent to each district represented in the House of Delegates at the New York State Teachers' Association with the understanding that said delegates, if in favor, sign this resolution and forward it to the president of the New York State Teachers' Association. Dutchess County -Vassar College adjourned for the Christmas recess with the celebration of its old custom of carol singing. At 6 a. m. 350 members of the freshman class, singing "Adeste Fideles,'' marched to the home of President McCracken. From there they made the rounds of the campus, including the homes of the dean and the warden. For many years it has been the custom for the entering class on the last day before the Christmas recess to sing carols to their fellow students at daybreak. Greater New York -At the luncheon of the School Art League in the McAlpin Hotel on December 10, attended by more than 300 members of the League, several youthful after-dinner speakers told how helpful and interesting the Saturday morning meetings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art were. Miss M. Rose Collins is in charge of these meetings, which are attended regularly by more than 400 elementary and high school pupils. The School Art League is doing a highly commendable work and seeks to aid in the conservation of talent, that the children of to-day may be prepared for the constructive work of to-morrow. -A prize of $50 is being offered by the horough president of Queens for a name for what is now called Cross Bay boulevard. The competition is open to pupils in the public schools in Queens, and the chairman of the committee of award is Superintendent of Schools William M. Ettinger. -Average attendance at evening schools in New York City has reached 41,233, according to Morris E. Siegel, director, who says that most of the students are immigrants. He declares also that many former students are coming back for further instruction and that plans are now under way to reorganize the night school system so that a regular four-year course can be provided for those who wish to continue their education. Jefferson County -An indication of what may be expected in other parts of the state was a discussion of the salaries of teachers at a recent conference between members of the city council of Watertown and the finance committee of the board of education. The conference was called for the purpose of considering the annual budget of the board of education for 1922. The president of the board expressed the belief that with other city departments trying to economize it is time to cut down on the annual increases granted to teachers under the state law. He expressed the belief that salaries should not continue to advance as rapidly as provided by the schedule adopted by the board. Two members of the finance committee, however, disagreed with the president and stated that they Idid not think it was the sentiment of the board that salaries should be in any way reduced or that the regular increments should not be granted. and addresses by prominent speakers on some interesting phases of American history. Ontario County —F. W. Herendeen, chairman of the Hobart College centennial fund committee, announced December 31 that $500,000 of the $1,000,000 Hobart needs by its hundredth anniversary in June, 1922, has been raised. This sum has been contributed by the General Education board, the city of Geneva, Hobart alumni and by friends, of the college, including members of the Episcopal church. Campaigns are starting in New York city, Philadelphia, Chicago and other cities, to raise the remainder by June, when Hobart's centennial will be celebrated. Orange County now -The city council of Newburgh has authorized the board of education to buy, for $110,900, a site for a high school in the north end of the city. Otsego County -The annual teachers' conference for the city of Oneonta and the fourth district of Otsego county was held at the Oneonta high school on December 20, 21. The speakers included George W. Wiley, S. Dwight Arms, E. E. Seymour, Mrs. Imogene Simons, William Price, E. P. Smith, W. A. Holcomb, J. C. Morrison and Daniel Chase, of the state education department; E. G. Lantman, secretary of the state teachers' retirement system, and Principal Bugbee of the Oneonta Normal, Superintendent Dann of the Oneonta public schools, and Professors Curtis and Lynch and Dr. Schumacher of the State Normal School faculty. -Addresses were made by the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Leitzell of Albany, president of the Lutheran Synod of New York state, and Dr. Henry S. Taylor of Albany, connected with the state education department, at the Hartwick Seminary alumni banquet in the Oneonta Hotel, December 5. About 70 alumni of the institution attended. The seminary is conducting a drive for a fund of $200,000. -The annual report of the Oneonta public schools under the date of July 1, 1921, is an unusually attractive publication and gives a full and well ordered statement of the various educational activities of the progress city school system of Oneonta under the direction of Supt George J. Dann. The report contains many beautiful full-page illustrations, is well printed, and as a whole reflects high credit on those who have cooperated in its preparation. Rensselaer County -Miss Alcena F. Miller, one of the oldest teachers in point of service in the Troy schools, who had been attached to School 5 since her original appointment, nearly fifty-five years ago, died December 16. Miss Miller was born in Lansingburgh and educated in the Troy. public schools. The year following her graduation from the Troy high school in 1866 she received her appointment as a teacher and has rendered conspicuous service for more than half a century. She was a member of the Troy Teachers' Association and the Fifth Avenue Methodist Church, where she was an active worker for many years. Schenectady County Schenectady city school teachers whose pupils are attending school on a part time basis, will be required by a recent ruling of the board of education to devote part of their time to assisting backward pupils or in doing clerical work which may be assigned by the school superintendent. -The Schenectady board of education has increased the rate of tuition for outside students who attend the high school. The rates will be $105 a year instead of $75 beginning with the new term, January 23. -The city and school authorities of Schenectady are to be congratulated on their extensive school building program, which calls for the construction of four new schools and several additions. This city in its proposed expenditure of nearly two million dollars for school buildings is taking the lead among cities of its class in the Empire State. -Just before Christmas Miss Edith A. Sarver, supervisor of household arts in Schenectady public schools, turned over to the city charities department more than 900 children's garments made by girls in the seventh and eighth grades. The material was provided by the charities department, but all the sewing was done by the girls. Washington County -In a special election December 13 the voters of Whitehall decisively defeated a proposition for the bonding of the school district for $225,000, for the erection of an addition to the present central school building. The vote was 658 to 42. A great deal of interest was manifested and while the vote was expected to be against the bonding of the district, the result was a surprise. What action will be taken to meet the adverse vote is undecided. The board of education considers it imperative that a new building should be erected or more room provided, since some of the school children are on part time. Many reasons were given by the taxpayers for their objection to the expenditure of so large an amount, but the main reason was that the district is overburdened with a tax and economy should be the watchword until some of the present debt is paid. Westchester County -The Mount Vernon Teachers' Association is a live organization. Mr. Emil Nielson, Jr., civics and music teacher at the high school is the president and is now serving his fourth term. The organization has sent delegates to the last three sessions of the National Education Association and is always represented at all state and county meetings. Its influence has been felt in the state legislature as well as in many of the educational movements of the state and county. The association has recently organized on parellel lines with the State Teachers' Association. At its last meeting the following standing committees were appointed: Legislative, teachers' welfare, tenure and pension, publicity, and professional ethics. The executive committee of the organization is made up of the officers, one representative from each of the city schools, a representative from the principals and a representative from the superintendent. The present officers include: Mr. Nielson, president; Miss. Grace L. B. Milligan, vice-president, supervisor of evening schools and head teacher of part time schools; secretary, Miss Leola D. Weed; treasurer, Mr. Charles J. Smith, teacher in the high school. The association conducts a series of lectures were introduced by the defense as evidence that Miss Frye had danced and enjoyed herself at the beaches last summer, while X-ray photographs were presented to show that she had sustained permanent injuries. Palmer Method in Use in Old A complete adoption of Palmer Method Writing and Spelling books was recently made in the School of the American Mission, Alexandria, Egypt. It is interesting to find modern methods of teaching writing and spelling being introduced into this classical city, where a School of Literature, Science and Philosophy flourished in the reign of the Ptolemies during the three centuries preceding the Christian era and which continued under the Roman Emperors as a Philosophical School in which Neoplatonism was the most important element down to the final extinction of Paganism in the fifth century after Christ. Alexandria continued to be the most important center of Christian theology down to the time of the Council of Chalcedon, 451 A. D. MEETINGS TO BE HELD. 5-7 Kansas City, Mo., National Society for Vocational Education. Secretary, Clothilde Ware, 140 W. 42d street, New York. 11-14: Vocational Education Asso annually which both teachers and the public ciation of the Middle West, Milwaukee, patronize. -Miss Marie L. Frye of Peekskill has been awarded $25,000 damages in a suit brought against Walter B. Gage, headmaster of the Hackley School for Boys at Tarrytown, as the result of injuries sustained when she was struck by Mr. Gage's automobile in November, 1920. The case was keenly contested. Moving pictures Wisconsin. 12-14: Association of American Colleges, Chicago. 26-March-4: N. E. A. Department of Superintendence, Chicago. |