Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-07-11

most practical and useful part of
grammar can be most easily taught
in the lower grades, before the pupil
is required to use the textbook. Al
though. this is the most difficult sub
ject to teach in our Public schools,
our teachers have shown that it can
be taught wel,9 and can be made
practical
Besides the above satisfactory re-
cord, which shows that the teachers
have done better work as they have
had better opportunities, l should
mention the fact that nearly every
scholar in school received promo
ton card, Notwithstanding that
there was much continued absence
during the winter term on account
of sickness, and the examinations on
which promotions were based were
numerous and thorough.
1t is with much pleasure that |
have called your attention to the
above pleasing record of faithful
work performed by both teachers
and scholars; but there is one point
more in which / almost indulge
feeling of personal pride.
The moral standard of our schools
| think, is even higher than the in
tellectual. The scholars manifest
a eonscientiousness in their work,
(which is most gratifying and but
seldom seen. They show a generos-
ity and good nature on the play
ground which make it a pleasure to
watch their sports. The Superintend-
ent has had to settle but two quar-
rels during the entire year; and he
has not heard single oath around
the school buildings. When pupil
Injuries building, he is usually the
first informer of the accident, and
manfully settles the damage of his
own accord.
During a half of the year there
was not a single case of corporal
punishment reported from any of
| the schools, and during the other
half but very few. There has not
been single scholar expelled, sus-
pended or brought before a meeting
of the Board for disorderly conduct.
On several occasions, the entire
schools of five hundredscholars have
desisted from a course of conduct
without command or even a. re-
quest, because they were shown that
it was wrong. regard this filing
of so many tender hearts with love
for truth and right, and the cultiYa-
tion of such manhood as these facts
have shown, of infinitely more value
than the perfect memorizing of every
textbook used in the course; and
the faithful teachers who have so nc
bly, done this glorious work, well
deserve the grateful praise of pa
rents, friends and Board.
In view of the foregoing facts, l
can safely say that the year has
been one of unusual pleasantness
and substantial progress, although
the good work has yet been only
well commenced, and much more
can be accomplished in the year to
come than has been done in the one
now past.
There still remain some points of
interest that would like to mention
but l have already trespassed too
much upon your time and patience,
and the favorable report that was
published by the Examining Com
mittees at the close of the winter
term, renders more unnecessary.
In conclusion, l will only add my
hearty thanks to the faithful teach
ers for their united efforts in the ex-
ecution of every plan to the friend
ly parents for their kind indulgence
of our many faults to the sympa-
thizing friends for their many words
of encouragement to the good boys
and girls for their cheerful obedience
and tokens of esteem; to the Board
of Education for the generous sup
ply of our many wants, and to the
kind Teacher and Father of all for
His blessings on our imperfect work.
Respectfully submitted,
r. w. FITZPATRICK, Supt.
RV order of the Board, -