The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-06-10
THlRrEENTH ANIMAL REPORT
OF PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMIT.
TEE, 1ol0.


Tuesday the I'd day Of June, ls4o.
The public School Committee OF the town
Of NewPort, respectfully report. That since
the commencement Of the year the number
of applica,ions for admission has been GOO
The number Of admissions has been 420
The number belonging to the schools
at present, is SAC
The number belonging 10 school No. l,
at the commencement Of the yesr, 200
Some have not been received for want of
sufficient qualifications: some have been ex-
PEELED for misconduct others could not be
accommodated for want of room; while
some have voluntarily lett the school or for
feited their seats by being absent. There
are now about sixty applicants, who are only
waiting for vacant seats, these are principal
ly candidates Tor primary school.
There are now six schools in the town;
where children above 9 years are taught,
and two primary or infant schools. One OF
these have been established since the las,
Annual Town Meeting. The pupils have
been generally attentive 10 the studies OF
the school, and have made great improve
men. in their studies, with few exceptions.
The difficulty of procuring steady attend
ance has been the chief fault.
10 four quarters, with an examination at the
end of each quarter, followed by a vacation
OF one week.
The examinations have been highly salts
factory 10 the committee, and we believe Ia
the numerous citizens who have attended
then with the exception Of the Lancaste rlan
School, which we consider an improper sys-
tenn and not calculated to be of advantage
10 the class of children who come within
Its influence, and your committee would re-
spectfully suggest, both from their own OBJ
servntion and continual complaints of our
fellow citizens, that change may be made
IN this school-nut that We have any reason
10 complain of its long tried Principal, on
the contrary VIC are happy 10 commend his
interchangeable industry nnd perseverance, as
well as ais high qualifications, but we are
convinced that the Moniloral system will
not answer in our community. Parents ac-
tuely complain that their children retrograde
under this system, and our own observation
teaches US, that the children do not keep up
with the pupils Of any other school in this
own. We also know that many individuals
IN the south district, are deferred from send
ing their children to tins school, for the above
mentioned reasons. Its lnferioriiy is NOR e
striking when compared with the new BOYS
school in the north district, taught upon the
old plan of PRINCIPAL and Assistant In this
school, children who could scarcely read Of
the commencement of the year, are now
studying Geography, Arithmetic and Eng.
lish Grammar, and we are satisfied that in
the Lancasterisn school, more time is actual
ly wasted in preparing for reci,ations, than
IS employed either in reciting or studying.
This has been proved by some of the com.
mlttee and several citizens lat the examina-
tion) by the watch. We therefore hope that
the town will give this subject its due con-
sideration, and act upon it immediately.
The girls school and thn primary school
IN the south district, arc both in a fourishing
state. In the former. there has been a change
viz. Miss Tew, not finding it consistent with
her convenience to serve for her nccus,om-
ed salary, resigned; Miss NJ. A. Taylor hn:
since been engaged, and is conducting the
school in very satisfactory manner, and il
gives us pleasure TO notice the prosperous
state Of the schools in the north district, SC
long needed, and so highly useful to thot par,
Of the town. As an experiment they have
thus far exceeded our most sanguine expec-
cations, and we have no doubt that they will
continue to improve in the most satisfactory
manner.
Satisfied that il is for the advantage OF
both to keep the very young and the more
advanced children separate. we have con.
sidered it expedient to establish an infant
school in the north district. which. has now
been in operation three months, and has
proved highly useful.
We consider this kind Of school Of the
rery greatest importance. and If there were
still others in the town it would be for the
advantage Of all concerned.
The great destruction of books and sta
tonary which continually takes place, owing
10 the carelessness and mschievousness of
Young children. Notwithstanding the exer-
tions Of teachers to prevent i) has suggest
I'd 10 the committee the proprety Of taxing
those who nre able, to pay for said books, &c
The branches taught in the schools are
reading. spelling, writing. arithmetic. geog
raphy, history. natural philosophy, English
grammar, algebra, drawing maps, and com
position.
The committee, on their part would say,
that in all their doings they have stndied the
mutual advantage of both town and school
They lost no time in organizing themselves
into a committee, have held regular weekly
meetings, and have tried to make strict jus
iice their rule in admitting and discharglng
children. They have also established L.
brary for the benefit Of the children in the
north district, considerable portion Of the
expense of which has been paid by the vol
untary subscription Of children, for writing
books.
For various reasons the expenses o! the
past year have been greater than they vii
probably be for the future some bills lef
unpaid by the former committee--,he expen
ses incident, TO the establishment of new
schools. are such as cannot occur oftea.
The accounts and vouchers for the pos
year, have been presented TO the Towr
Council, and audited by them, and stand a:
follows:
Received. and on hand when
Committee came into Office, 1858, j.
Do froin State 1893 5:
Do from Town SOO.Ot