Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-08-22

ihcation of the lower grades we'll nigh inn
possible, and the fact that nearly all the
teachers were absolutely new to the school,
added another difficulty which should not
be overlooked. During the past year, how
ever, these unlavorable conditions we're al.
most entirely removed. The construction
of the Lockwood building, removing as il
did more than 200 scholars from the Cen.
trail school, gave an abundance Of room for
the grammar grades while with one ex.
ception the rooms in the Lockwood school
although full were at no time crowded
The course of study which had been pre-.
pared, told both scholars and teachers what
would be expected from them, and the
knowledge, which a large portion of the
corps of teachers had gained from one
years experience in our schools, enabled
them to execute intelligently what was re-
quired. As II consequence of this, much
better work could reasonably be expected
this year than last. In this expectation we
have not been disappointed, and the grades
of the city are well up to the requirements
of similar grades in the most advanced
schools Of our State. Complaint has come
to me from several sources that in order TO
accomplish what was required Of them, in
many cases scholars had been obliged to
work too hard. Careful observation and in
quiry among both teachers, parents and
scholars have convinced me that the charge
is not true one. Individual cases have
no doubt arisen where sickness or too
much work outside the school room has
caused the pupil to be overworked; but the
great majority of the scholars have done
what was required, if not with ease, at least
without any injury to their health. 1t is
not to be supposed that school without
any well defined grades could be put in a
well graded condition without severe work
on the part of teachers and scholars as well,
and it is principally due to the Efforts of
both that this has been accomplished. Now
that this result has been attained, il is hoped
that in the year to come the thorough drill
which the pupils have received in the
grades below, will enable them to accom-
plish the work required in the grades just
entered, with greater ease and yet with
greater profit to themselves.
During the past year no changes what
ever have been made in text books. The
readers now in use, however, are by no
means the equal of Swinton's or even of
Sheldons. The former are especially ex-
cellent and contain many features which
would be of great advantage to both teach
err and scholars. Generally arrangements
can be effected with little or no expense TO
the scholar, and would recommend that
this matter be given your early attention.
Whites arithmetic might also, with profit,
il seems to me, give place to Olney's. A
change of text books is always surrounded
by some difficulties, but when it is clearly
for the advantage of the school that a change
should he made, there should be no more
hesitation than when any other old machine
is TO he discarded for new one. A set Of
both Swinton's and Sheldon's readers are
in the Superintendent Office and await the
orders of the Board.
In the Superintendent report for last
year, the hope was expressed that the
eleventh grade would he able TO finish the
work of the twelfth grade in which case
the first graduating exercises of the school
would occur in June SO. This expecta-
ton was fully realized and four diplomas
were granted-two from the English aud
two from the scientific course.
The knowledge that this event was ex-
pected to take place had a very great in
hucnce in keeping up the interest in the
department. The success which attended
the commencement exercises of the High
School has served to call the attention of
the city to the dcsirability of supporting
first class institution of this character in
our midst, and can hardly fail of being
most beneficial to it. The prospect is now
favorable for having graduating class
next year. If this should be the case, there
is little doubt that, in the future, gradual
ing classes will regularly succeed each
other. The High School has incidentally
given much instruction to many teachers
now employed in our country and city
schools and its value to the community in
this direction can hardly be overestimated.
Finally, gentlemen, can confidently re-
port that your schools arc in more salts
factory condition than at the close of the
more complete the work accomplished has
been greater in amount and more thorough
in character; the interest of the scholars
has seemed constantly to increase, and from
all sides comes unmistakable evidence that
the cause of education occupies its proper
place in the minds of our citizens. That
our schools have not arrived at that state
of perfection when they can safely receive
less attention at your hands, is evident
There are yet many ways in which they
can he improved, some of which / have in
Dictated TO you, and Others which You your
selves will perhaps discover in your future
visits to the school room.
Thanking you for your support in tho
past, and asking for continuance of it il
the year to come, | am respectfully,
j. w. SMITH,
Supt of Schools
Council Proceedings.
mi ~ II