New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-03-25
Nem 0rleans Dailp Gresfsnt.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE FIRST DISTRICT.

Or6 or the Publlc SCHOOLS OF the Flret D1sct OF New
Orleans for the year ending Juns &c. 1861 just issued
from the press of Messrs. Clark & Brsbn and SUBJ
itted to the Common Council of the city at Its last
meeting. The report is an ably prepared document
OF forty pages and exhibits clearly and satisac
tory the operations Of the machinery Of the Public
School institution as brought to bear in all ts eff.
cicnt organism on the educabe portion of the commu.
nifty. We propose to embody in brief the substance
Of the report taking tup in the order that the various
departments are treated.
The Public Schools of the First District were first
organized in October, 1s4l, with thirteen pupils and
in 1858 the register showed 6,ss enrolled names, the
attendance increasing in a constantly accelerated
ratio. The night schools were organized in 1s45 and
the attendance in 1858 1875, being increase of
geo compared with that Of the previous year.
The Boys High School was established in 1s43, and
has made great strides in efficiency since its removal
to the present commodious building formerly known
as the "Christan Chapel" the number of pupils ex
ceedng by 35 the register of the previous year. The
curriculum of studies of this school is such that the
pupi has opportunity Of securing thorough English
education and ofacquring much familiarity with the
classics and the French language The corps Of
teachers incudes Principal, Professor of Mathe-
matics and Professor of French, the present incum
| bents being Messrs. Wm. McGregor, John McNair
and Marc Roux.
The Girls High School was established in 1915,
and its steady progress since then has entitled it to
an honorable position among the institutions of
learning of the Southern States, and to quote from
the report "as seminary for the education of young
ladies in the higher branches of knowledge has left
its impress upon the social circle wherever inte-
| gence and refinement exert their silent but power
full sway 1t has supplied many and successful
teachers to the Public Schools of this and other Dis
trics, its graduates who in such capacity being
twenty-four in number. The course of study in this
School is dictated by the most enlightened views of
its object and design, and the graduate who is well
yersed in the branches selected is well, highly edu.
Gated. The present Principal, Miss E. A. Perry, is
herself graduate Of the School, and like her three
accomplished assistants is thoroughly fitted for the
duties of teacher.
| The District Schools of the First District are ten
in number, and each School has four distinct Depart
ments, with as many subdivisions as is made neces-
sary by the number of pupils other circumstances
The following extract from the report will show the
course Of studies the steps by which the pupils grad
ually climb the ladder of knowledge, from the lower
to the higher departments
In the Fourth or Primary Department, instruction
is given in the Alphabet, Spelling Reading, Writing
I on states, with oral instruction in the primary ele
ments of Arithmetic
In the Third Department, the pupils are advanced
in Spelling Reading and Writing, and instructed in
| the clements of Geography and intellectual Arith-
metic. The highest classes in this Department are
particularly instructed in oral Spelling and in the
| fundamental rules of Arithmetic.
| In the Second, or First Assistants Department
| the following branches taught: Reading, with
| Orthography, Definitions, and the Principles of
Punctuation Writing, Modern Geography, English
Grammar, Arithmetic.
In the First Department or Principals, the pupils
pursue the study Of Arithmetic and English Gram
mar, review Modern Geography, become familiarized
with the history Of the United States, and eXer-
cised at stated times in Diciation, Eiocution, and
Original Composition
| The Directors are wide awake as to the import
ance of physical exercise and development in con-
junction with mental exercise, and regret the
extent OF the play grounds attached to many OF the
schools, and also that limited finances have prevented
the erection of such simple gymnasium appliances
OH the grounds would furnish means of exercise in
some degree to compensate the lack of rompng and
running room The increase of pupils of the District
Schools during the past year much greater than
was anticipated, aud they were with difieulty and
increased expense accommodated. new school-house
was rendered Immediately necessary, and this has
been erected at an expense of $l0,0O0 appropriated
by the City Council. A description of this building,
which is at the Of Preur and Palmyra streets,
is attached to the report of the Committee School.
Houses, and shows to be large roomy and entirely
adapted to its purposes. The handsome architecture
of the building renders it an ornament to the neigh
| borhood.
| The total number of teachers employed in the
schools of the First District is sxty-nine and the
aggregate amount of their salaries is s55,76O Thirty
three Of the teachers are in the male schools and
thirty,sX in the female, and ffty-sY of the whole
| l.
lie School Department of the First District shows the
total amount expended for the year 1858 to be
$73,663, of which $60,49 so are placed to account
of ply roll of Superintendent, Teachers, Secretary
sergeanat-arms, and school porters $6,s2s 50 to
repair of schoohonses 900 to rents, and the bal.
ance to sundres, such books, stationery printing
fuel etc.
The night school department is one of the most
interesting features of our Public School system.
There less than seven night schools in the
First District, in charge of twelve teachers, and
attended during the academical year past by seven
hundred and twenty-siX enrolled pupils, of whom
five hundred and siXty-four males and one hun
dred and sixty-two were females, the ages of the
former varying from ten to thirty years, and of the
latter from eight to fifty years. These pupils are
from the lower walks Of life, and mostly persons
whose occupation prevents their attendance at day
schools Among them are no less than sixty news
boys, who thus not only instructed but are saved
from the demoralizng influences of night wandering
and the associations into which they would thus be
thrown. They are open for six months in the year
from g to P NJ, and the report thus refers to
them
They do not merely furnish refuge from the
temptations of vice F.; the children of poverty and
neglect often find therein the first impulses to a life
Of virtue the first dawnngs Of an active intelligence
which shall increase their happiness and make them
valuable members OF society. Some of them contend
against many obstacles; yet, though weared with
the labois OF the day, and harassed with pressing
cares, despite the incemeucy of the weather. or the
demand of the body for repose, they may be found,
night after night, in their accustomed places, rare
examples of respectful department. earnest eXertion,
and successful progress.
The report, in an address to the Council signed by
Robt. NJ. Lusher, Esq, for the Executive Commit
treats at length of the Normal School Department
that Keystone of the system of popular education
and appeals for means to insure its stability and
increase its efficiency. 1T expresses the conviction
that the Municipal Government will not suffer the first
Normal School established in the South to fail for
want of liberal support. II is desirable that its
course of study should embrace higher walks and nc
longer be confined to the elements of u Common
ohnnl pfN moot 0tIpt, 1,t .al,..