3. Extract from the Official Report of the Proceedings of the Board of Public Schools, St. Louis, November 14., 1876.

Kindergartens.

Mr. Lippman also submitted the following report, which was adopted:

Your committee beg leave to state for your information that the number of kindergartens now established by page 12 your Board comprise thirteen each a. m. and p. m. kindergartens; total twenty-six, with an average attendance of fifty pupils for each, or a total of 1,300 pupils. The expenditures for carrying on these twenty-six kindergartens during the scholastic year 1876—77 will be about $3,300, not including salaries, which latter item will be more than balanced by the advanced classes which these pupils will enter when they are admitted into the district schools. The receipts from pupils for supplies, at one dollar per quarter from each pupil (all those who cannot pay are admitted free), will amount to about $3,500.

Your committee take great pleasure in stating that these institutions enjoy a great and constantly increasing popularity amongst all classes of this community, and they promise from present evidences to become a most important addition to our system of public schools. Your committee believe that no organized system of kindergartens of such magnitude, and under the care of a board of public instruction, exists anywhere.

Since the beginning of the scholastic year these institutions have been thoroughly systematized. They have been placed under the supervision of some of our most experienced teachers.

Nearly one hundred zealous and intelligent ladies serve as volunteer assistants, and the applications of very many more had to be declined for want of vacant positions.

These assistants have to undergo a thorough examination as to their ability, etc., before they can be admitted, and at the close of the year they will have to make a final examination, and if fully competent, they will receive a diploma from this Board, which will enable them to obtain profitable positions in any kindergarten in the country.

In connection with those kindergartens the directors and assistants have established an institute for the better promotion of the profession in which they are engaged.

Your committee has no doubt that in a very short time many other cities in the United States will follow our example in establishing kindergartens.

This community owes a great debt of gratitude to Miss Susan E. Blow, who is the founder of our kindergartens, and who has personally supervised and conducted them, with great sacrifice of time, patience, and labor, solely from a spirit of philanthropy.

Great praise is also due to the assistance rendered to Miss Blow by our Superintendent and his assistants; also to those young ladies who conducted some of the kindergartens when these institutions were yet an experiment.

Your committee hopes that the fostering care of this Board will continue to be bestowed upon these institutions, assuring you, gentlemen, that in their usefulness you will reap a rich reward for your labors in their behalf.