The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1860-03-29
REPORT
OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE KENOsHA
HIGH SCHOOL.

REPORT
IF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE KENOsHA |
HIGH SCHOOL.
To The Superintendent Of Public Schools Of the
City Of Kenosha.
DEAR SIR In compliance with your request, |
beg to submit the following report of the internal
condition the Public Schools of Kenosha. Ow
ing to the limited space and brief time at my dis
posal, have been able to present nothing more
than very moager and imperfect sketch but 1
hope that idea of the condition and operation
of the schools may be gathered from even this:
GRADUATION OF SCHOOLS.
Nearly two years ago, the Board of Education |
caused thorough and systematic classification of
the several schools to be made, prescribing at the |
same time, fixed course of study and 1propriate
textbooks for each class of pupils and each grade
OF school This graduation has been closely adj cred
to since, and its practical results seen in the
greater proficiency of the scholars in the more def
mite and thorough character of the instruction i'm
parted to them; i'll the facility and harmony where
with the machinery of the schools has been made
to move in the favor with which the system has
been regarded by many of the best educators in
Wisconsin, and in the influence it has had in indu
cling other towns in the State, to adopt d similar
school policy. careful comparison of expendi
lures, methods and results, justifes the conclusion
that more work has been done that it has been
more cheaply and efficiently done, under the pres,
any other. So far it is believed. the expectations
OF the Board have been realized ana the demands
of the patrons of the schools largely met 1t is
claimed that the system is perfect in all partcu-
lars it takes many years to perfect a scheme pos
sessing such varied and important interests, and
involving such multiplicity of details but time
and care and patience, will remove imperfections
and develope excellencias. The system itself in
its general and fundamental principles is correct,
and ought to be sedulously guarded if the efficien
cy of the schools be desirable object
ATTENDANCE.
The attendance in all the departments, during
the present year, has been good There has been
but a small per centage of absence and this has
been caused, in a majority of instances by sickness.
Did space permit, an abstract fthe teachers semi
monthly reports to the Board of Education, might
be given IN support OF this general statement But
item from the record of the High School, must
suffice
The whole number of pupils enrolled in this de-
partment, the first term of this school year was 123
The number actually belonging ------- liz
Average daily attendance --.--- ---ll2
Per cent. OF attendance on whole ne. enrolled 81
. no. belonging 95
SECOND TERM.
Whole No enrolled 1872
No. actually belonging ---.---...-..........1 100
Average daily attendance -115
Per cent. on No. enrolled Observation-Disclosures SO
: No belonging. .-...-.....95 sc
Hardness that bane of the school room, so mex
cusable, and, when it becomes confirmed trait in
school, difficult to be remedied, is almost I'M
known.
DISCIPLINE, AND DEPoRTMENT OF PUPILS
The discipline of the several schools has been
administered, by most of the teachers, with kind.
ness, firmness and discretion They have practi-
cally recognized the principle, that the govern
ment OF school must perform a much more ex-
allied office for the pupil, than merely to impose
physical restraint upon him for six hours a day.
They have felt that the school must train the child
to exercise self-control; to withstand temptation
to cultivate an honorable, manly, generous truth
flowing, earnest, patient spirit That it shall qu
city, but certainly mould his character, in such
manner and direction, that when he passes from
the schoolroom, to assume the duties of the cit
izen, he shall have to enter into no new relation
that he shall simply find a larger sphere for the
exercise of the same virtues; that it will be as
easy and natural for him to yield obedience to the
laws OF his country, as to those of his school to
solve problem IN morals in mathematics and
to be humane, self-reliant, patriotic as it was for
him in youth, TO be studious loyal and docfe.-
This is the true theory of school government if it
have not this function, then confinement of six
hours per day, becomes to the great majority of
youth, positive and very unrneaning torture
Acting upon this principle, the teachers have la
bored to produce those results. They have used
reason, kindness, persuasion, advice and remon-
STRANGE, so eectualy as to render resort to harsh
er measures, very infrequent necessity. And so
sensitive have majority the pupils become-so
high an appreciation of this of Encouragement
nave they, that they render most cheerful obedi-
ence to its requirements. Some have thought that
its influence may be seen upon the school children
even in the streets. However this may be, it is
certain that in their sports upon the schoolground,
and In their intercourse with each other, the ut
most good feeling prevails. Nearly eight hundred
children and youth, of all ages and conditions meet
daily Ill the narrow school-yards, and, yet quar-
rel, misunderstanding, act Of violence or injustice
rarely occurs. That spirit of oppression, fraud,
Jealousy meanness and malice, usually so common
where great numbers of youth are brought into in
tlmate daily relation, is seldom witnessed.
Ahor foot i L.
liable to the pupils of our public schools, refer
spirit Of aaK 4ks @ h sfSnn sre e
the tobacco box and the lead pencil. and against
whose denominations the walls, floors and seats of
churches, halls and depots bear such offensive tes
timony finds little fellowship upon the school prem
ises. Few scratches and blemishes aside from the
necessary wear and use, are to be found upon the
fences, furniture and appurtenances. As one evil
dence of this, to those who may not have had an
opportunity to see for themselves it NAV be men
toned that the woodwork of the building occupied
by the primary schools, which was cleaned and
painted last September, is scarcely soiled to-day
have dwelt upon these points longer perhaps
than may seem juSthable but tits simply because
deem them of vital Importance because they are
frequently overlooked, and because they reveal the
character and tendencies Of that home and schcIas-
tic discipline which is advanced to meet the de-
mands of our age and institutions.
HIGR sCHooL-GRADUATIHG CLASS
The course of instruction, in this department, as
prescribed by the Board OF Education,T embraces
Ancient Languages, German, Mathematics Mem
tai, IL oral and Natural Science, Rhetoric ENGLISH
Literature, Composition and Elocuton. The de-
sign is to place the elements of complete and lar
monius culture within reach of every Young per
son, in this community, who is disposed to spend
time in their acquisition. The time requisite to
complete the course is three years There are three
divisions of High School pupils proper, namely, the
Junior, Middle and Senior Besides these there
is large class of advanced Grammar school schol
ars. for whom there is in the Grammar
departments. This circumstance. unavoidable as
lower the standard of the High School, without a
corresponding advantage to those in this prepare.
tory class. Il is one of the educational nscessi-
ties of Kenosha, just now, to provide separate
rooms for these two classes
The studies pursued the present term are Latin.
Greek, German, Geometry, Algebra, Arithmetic
Mental, Moral and Natural Philosophy, Rhetoric,
History. Physiology, Descriptive Geography and
English Grammar
The Senior class, consisting of fifteen Young la
dies and gentlemen, by the close of next term will
have completed the High School course or what
may be regarded as fair equivalent By the rules
OF the school, they will then be entitled to gradu
ate. regard the graduation of this class for MANY
reasons, as one of the most important incidents in
the history of the public schools of our citv II
will be the first class that has completed regular
course. This act will be fitting consummation
and add new significance to the classification a. |
dopted by the Board Its value will be felt in tho |
stimulus which twill mpart to all the depart. |
ments and the salatary pressure it will bring to
bear upon every pupil. 1t viii attach to the |
school many who might be disposed to leave pre- !