THE STATE PRIMARY AND REFORM SCHOOLS. The three State Schools, viz., the State Primary School, the Lyman School for Boys, an 1 the State Industrial School for Girls, are under the direction of a single Board of Trustees. The present Trustees are as follows:- Melvin H. Walker, of Westborough, President; Mrs. Elizabeth G. Evans, of Boston, Secretary; Henry C. Greeley, of Clinton, Treasurer; Michael J. Sullivan, of Chicopee; Miss Elizabeth C. Putnam, of Boston; Charles P. Worcester, M.D., of Newton; Samuel W. McDaniel, of Cambridge. The number in custody October 1, 1890, was: In the School: 254 boys, 82 girls, 19 women. Total, Aggregate, The number in custody September 30, 1891, was: In the School: 259 boys, 58 girls, 12 women. Total, Aggregate, 329 69 398 The average weekly cost per capita of the inmates of the School was $3.02, and of those at board, $1.87. The inmates of the School consist of juvenile offenders too young to be sent to the Lyman School, and dependent and neglected children who come under the care of the State, and also a few women transferred with their children from the State Almshouse. It is at once a school and a temporary home. The buildings are old, but, with necessary repairs and proper attention to ventilation and drainage, they can be made thoroughly comfortable, and sufficient for their purpose for a considerable time to come. The Board has frequently noted a lack of attention to these and other essentials, and is glad to report an improvement, especially in the drainage and in the matter of water supply; but much still remains to be done. Since last January a satisfactory system of quarantine has been in operation, the smaller children among the arrivals being separated from the others for a period of two weeks, before being placed in the School. With respect to the immediate managenient of the School, it must be said that there is still an apparent lack of appreciation of hygienic requirements; in matters of ventilation, preparation of food and personal cleanliness, the School is below the standard. More life, more zeal, more enthusiasm in the work are wanted. The School should always be regarded as a temporary residence, and a place for absolutely primary instruction only. The children should be placed in families, whether with or without board, after as short a detention in the School as is consistent with their well-being. The institution life and the institution atmosphere, even supposing that the management of the School throughout its system and in all its details is without defect, are productive of benefit for but a very limited period. The Board agrees with the Trustees in hoping that in the near future there will be found in the School only the two classes of mentally and physically defective children, and juvenile offenders too young to be intentionally vicious. The market value of the trust funds was $57,127.31, on September 30, 1891. The number in custody October 1, 1890, was: |