Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-04-04


state Of he room. We would also ad-
wise, and strongly recommend union oi
the two districts, embraced in the village,
Of such character, tha' the grading sys-
tenn. which, at present, is too restr ctcd
and partial, may be carried into more per.
feet operation, In villige like this
the importance and economy of a proper
gradation Of the schools is immense 1t
is a saving of time. labor and money. 1t
facilitates the Classification of the pupils.
by bringing those of like proficiency to-
6 'ther, so that a much larger number
may be successfully taught by the same
teacher. The time of both the teacher
and the pup p'si IL thereby greatly enhanced
in value 1t moreover secures a true di-
vision IF labor among the teachers.
We want the primary, imtermdiate,
the grammar, and high-sctool, without
which gradations we can have nothing
approx,matins to a perfect system-noth-
ing such as the wants Of the age and the
progress of knowledge demand.
Give your Committee but the power,
and fair opportunity to carry out their
views. and they would feel no hesitation
in guaranteeing, that your high schools
would speedily show inst 'nces Of scholar
ship entirely 'ranscendins the literary
requirements of the most thoroughly
qualifel tcac her, which it has been our
fortune to have met with in any one Of
our public schools during the past year.
We would not in this bold assertion dis
parage the literary qualifications of the
teachers of your village schools, but
we refer to the superior mental cndow-
ments of quite anumber of pupils, who
need only an oppor unity to enable them
to take h'gh, rery high stona IN
the various departments of scientific
Know edge. And for their sakes, for
there pa e1t's sake, and for the honor Of
the town. we hope tn t such faclli'ies
will be speedily furnished. We believe
that all these SIG ,estions my be carried
into practical effect. without any consid.
era ole increase OF the expenses of the town
incurred for educational purporses and
it should be considered, that the saving
Of u small sum Of money is not economy,
when there is a propor;ionate loss Of
something more valuable.
Another fault TO which we wish to ln-
vi.e attention is the frequent change N
teachers. TINS is one Of the worst tea-
lures III our presen, sch,'ol system. Such
change is productive "f much injury; aud
al m"re regard j. paid 10 tins subject.
aud greater permal ncy NJ teaches Is Sc
cured, we can not expec, our schools will
t.keI Iha, hlgh stand which is 5" earnestly
t. h- desired. Where teachers have given
general satisfaction,-where thy have
ed tn mselyes to be Jealous, faitatul
and cCmpctcn',-where they have I'M
proved the order OF the schools under
the,e ch,rg', and have caused them to
progress. there should seldom be change.
Such teachers should be supported,-and
as ger reral rul,, permanently employed.
Another serious disadvantage exper-
Fenced by our schools is the want of reg.
ularity ia the atten lance OF the pupils /;
and we hope th,t there will b. a gener Il
and strenuous effect made to remedy this
prevalent and deplorable evil
There are several other topics on which
we should be pleased to suggest few
ideas, but feel impelled 10 leave them for
future consideration, in view of the fact.
taat tn y tr nch on lender ground, and
may be more fitly considered hereafter.
We would low invite your attention,
for few moments, TO the compantve
progress Of our schools during the last
year
The success Of the school IN No. l..
taush, by MISS UImer was al leas. fair.
,-And gave general satisfaction.
The progress Of the sch~l. in No. 2.
during the summer was commendab ble;
and the winter term Of this. school Was
OF a superior character. giving the most
c"mple'e Satisfaction. This school was
unGer the cha rye Of Mss aud Mr. Br'm'
mer.
The four schools, in No 3. during the
hrst ,wn terms. aud the three schools
taught during the winter term, were all
# them highly satisfactory. and the"
success such as to recommend the teachers
to the favor of future agents. The te-
male teachers were Miss Dnnnell. Miss
Hall and Mrs. Freeman; and the male
I