Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-07

highly estimated by the County Supervisor,
who pays her an enyiable compliment. The
examination justified the large expectation of
the committee, proving the term 70 have been
a very yproftable one indeed. Miss Norton
was the recipient of handsome and valuable
present from her scholars at the close of the
exercises The examination of the High
School, r. G. Merriman, Principal, took
place on Friday, occupying the forenoon and
afternoon. We understand the examination
was exceedingly gratifying to the committee,
and indicative of a highly prosperous term.
The exhibition took place in the evening; the
room was completely filed by an audience
composed largely of parents and friends of
the students. The following was the pro-
gramme:
lst Singing Serve the Right
"a. Reading prose. Ada NJ. Tobey. "My Or
3D.. Reading Poetry, Annie Walker. The
4th Defamation. f. A. Thomas. ''The Amer
9Th. Reading prose- Hattie d. Baker. "The
9TH Reading Poetry Cora f. Richardson.
"On the shores of Tennessee"
III. singing. Pulling hard against the stream"
sth. Defamation Charles Carter. "Nauc of
| the Farm"
9Th Reading prose. Mary Sawyer. Gossip,
| ing of Idle Hours, hour 4th
10th. Reading Poetry. Lizzie Lynn. The
| 18th. Defamation. SamI Packard. against
Employing Indians i'll the War"
l2th. Reading prose-. Annie Clement. Pub
18th, Reading Poetry. Ada Beals. "Hau
18th. Defamation. George winslow. The
War Inevitable"
18th; Reading prose. Isadore Scott. "Relig-
ious Extremist"
18Th; Dialogue. By the Second Class. From
l7th. Defamation James STORM. ''Labor.n
18th. Singing. "Darling.r
10Th. THE Rosebud" Read by Miss Julia NJ.
Tuck.
2oth. Presentation by Cora + Richardson.
2st Singing. Good Night"
Before the close of the exercises. Miss
Cara +. Richardson in behalf of her fellow
students, presented to the Principal an ele-
giant volume of Tennyson's Poems, and also
dressing case in token of their respect and
! esteem. The presentation was PRETTY made
We are glad to be able to state that Mr..
Merriman is to be retained for a second year
as Principal of the school.
The parts taken by the several students
were well performed, considering the short
time allowed for preparation. Not more
than thirty minutes of school time had been
appropriated for this purpose, and no prepar-
alton whatever had been made for the exhibi-
ton previous to the Monday preceding. The
paper termed "7he Rosebud" which was read
by Miss Julia NJ Tuck, was handsomely
edited little affair. On the subject of "School
Examinations" are some thoughtful observa-
tions, which we copy:
The shadow which an approaching exami-
| nation casts upon school is an unnatural
one. The teacher, or scholar, who has la
bored conscientiously during the year, ought
to experience feelings of pleasure when their
work is put to the final test, when they show
to their friends that their time has been well
improved. 1t is legitimate part of their
reward, just as legitimate as the benefits
which they hope to reach from their increased
knowledge. 1t is true, that no matter how
honestly they may have labored, they will
| experience an anxiety lest they fail, but that
is very different from fear. Why is this fear?
Simply because they know that an unjust
judgment is to be passed upon them. Whether
their Judgment be favorable or the contrary
does not affect the justice of it. They know
that six hours are to be taken as a sample of
nine hundred and sixty. And during those
six hours they are in an unfavorable light.
For any in the least conversant with schools
know that they do not reach an average line
upon examination days If one false step be
taken, then the impression is given, or rather
gratuitously taken, that such has been the
course throughout the year.
Now for the remedy. Let the friends of a
school form their decision from years &C
quaintance, and not from one days. Let
them visit it often. II may be some trouble
to do so, but if they do not feel repaid by what
they see and hear, let them remember that it
is positire benefit to the schools, and there
fore duty upon them For schools exert
such an influence that il devolves upon every
body to cast his or her influence upon the
right side. Let them not hug the deusive
idea that the committee can attend to this
matter alone. That idea will be pretty effectu
ally ventilated if they stop to consider how
much of the committees time it would re-
quire to frequently visit the various schools
in this city, and afterwards think what COM
pensation they receive. Each day therefore
should find some one of the parents in the
school. Some may remark that would keep
us running all of the time Let us see what
the figures say upon that point. Three Hmm
dred and twenty parents at least are repre-
sented in the schools of this city. Suppose
each parent made six visits year, that would
give to each school between six and seven
visits a week, whereas they now receive about
one a month. When We say rtsits we do not
mean that a ,chole or half day should be
spent in the school, but such time as is con-
venient.
Let such a course be taken by the parents
and we shall find great change for the bet
ter. The scholars will be encouraged in an
important work. They will know that they are
not to be judged for words or actions in
time of excitement, but for their whole years
work.
We hope these thoughts may bear some
fruit and that the next school year will not
pass away il this respect as the enc before
it."
~, Er;J,x ,rb;la u Storbrd of pi Shon's