Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-06-24
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

EXAMINATIONS IN THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
The Grammar school examinations
which have been in progress during last week
and this and came TO q close on Thursday
morning, have established in the most salts
factory manner the faithful, efficient and pro-
gressive character of the work done in that
school during the past year. The written
examinations took place last week. The
tests given were severe ones, but the average
markings were very high. In the arithmetic
tests, especially, the committee certainly did
not err on the side Of leniency, and the ques-
tons were such as to put both the reasoning
powers OF the children and their comprehen-
sion OF principles to rigid test. The oral
examinations have taken place during the
present week. On Monday afternoon Miss
Slason's senior class in arithmetic was given
an examination by blackboard work and ex-
plantations, with mental work interpreted.
The result Of this examination WAS eminent
ly satisfactory. With scarcely an exception
the work was readily performed and the ex-
PLANTATION Of principles clearly and intelligi-
bly, given. Miss Slason regards this as the
best class which she has ever sent up TO the
High school, and none who witnessed this
examination or have otherwise made them
selves familiar with the attainments of the
class will dispute her judgment in the mat
ter. Their work includes all operations in
fractions and decimals, the mensuration of
solids and surfaces and the underlying prin-
cipes in percentage. On Wednesday morn
ing the same class was examined in language.
In previous years we have been especially in
terested in the examination of Grammar
school classes in this important study, and
we have no hesitation in saying that, as good
as previous classes have been, this is notably
the readiest and most thorough which we
have yet seen. The examination was by
card drawn from the teachers hand, admit
ting of no possible coaching or special prep.
aration.
In the examination of the freshmen in
arithmetic that class has proved itself care
fully and thoroughly taught, under Miss Ste
yens's tuition, and we doubt if any previous
class has closed its first year in the Grammar
school on so good vantage ground in this
fundamental but, for young heads trying
branch. This class has also passed very sat
isfactory examinations in language and gram
mar under Misses Palmer and Cutting The
Junior examinations have shown that class
to be thoroughly fitted for entrance on their
last years work in this school.
In the enforced absence of Rev. Mr.. Col
Inns, from i'll health, Rev. Mr.. Martin has
kindly and efficiently assisted during the
week in the more essential examinations. In
this % in so many previous years, il is a
hneASA VI eAASSA1 iNBHtt tlhl 50 rev parents
have shown proper interest in the school
work Of their children by an attendance on
the annual examinations.
PRESENTATION TO MISS sLAsoN
On Thursday morning the Grammar
school examinations closed with exAmina
tions in reading and music At about ll;3O
just as Miss Slason was about sending her
senior class to. their seats, she was asked by
Miss Palmer to delay for a moment, and at a
signal from the latter a delegation of four
girls and four boys each from the junior and
freshmen classes appeared from the entrance
doors on either side and, advancing TO the
platform, presented Miss Slason with beau
tiful silver card-receiver in behalf of the two
classes named Rev. Mr. Martin making the
presentation and saying in few words as he
did so that, although the gift seemed to be
empty, it was heavy with sincere regrets
with love and good wishes, and with appre
citation OF Miss Slason's work for her chill
dren as a teacher and a woman. Miss Slason
briefly thanked the children, and as she
closed the seniors grouped themselves in
front OF her, and presented a silver napkin
ring and gold glove buttoner. Miss Oracle
Mansur, for the class, addressed Miss Slason
as fOllows
My Dear Teacher You have often sum-
moned us TO the stand before you, and now
at last, It Is our turn to summon you before
us. We do it both sadly and gladly. Sadly,
because now you stand before us as our kind
and careful teacher for the last time, and we
shall miss your generous sympathy and clear
instruction. Gladly, because now we, your
graduating class of 's1, may thank you most
tittingly and heartily for the care and kind
ness ever shown to us. Dear teacher, please
accept from us these little tokens of our deep
regard and truest good wishes They are for
everyday use, and 80 we trust may remind YOU
every day of the old Brattleboro school and
your class of 49,"
The presentation was followed by song
by the class, arranged by Miss Cooke with
special reference to this occasion. One more
surprise was to come, and Mr.. Martin step