The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-28
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The Work Done and the Outlook for
the Future.


The work Done and the Outlook for
the Future.
Principal John W. Heston, of the High school.
when asked yesterday in regard to the work
thus far done and the outlook for next year,
said:
zone of the first things to be spoken of is the
change in the courses of study. The time OF
the old course was three years 1t is now four
in all except the industrial Before this year
no language but English was pursued, in fact
the territorial laws prevented any
other being taught, in q public school
As soon this was corrected the
board voted to include German and Latin, and
employed a teacher for those subjects. This
was done before / came to the school. When
arranging course of study last autumn, was
at first inclined to confine the work to three
years, and to those subjects already provided by
the board, but after careful study OF the situa-
ton and full conference with Superintendent
Barnard, we concluded TO recommend some fur
ther changes, and submitted the present course
to the board. The idea was to
develop the work as fast as we
could get facilities. Tha. is, we need
to provide a good English education for any
who wish it. Then we must, at least for the
present, prepare pupils for college and univer-
sity work. / believe we should also furnish
special instruction and training to those intend
ing to teach, and develop our industrial course
as rapidly as possible.
'The city can do nothing better for the young
people than to provide them facilities for OBJ
tanning practical education. 1t is just as i'm
portant to the city and state that those who are
to work in the so-called lower vocations of life
should have preparation for their calling it is
70 fit young men for entering upon the study of
profession. This is the object of our industrial
course, and Ii has been highly commended
wherever adopted and successfully pursued.
Concerning the general progress of the year,
can say that am fairly satisfied. OF course
regret we have to labor under the difficulties
we do in some respects, yet real progress has
been made. The pupils are bright, and manifest
much interest in their work. The first and most
difficult thing to accomplish is to make a pupil
see that to succeed as a student one must deny
himself many pleasures and apply the mind
regularly in earnest and undivided study.
think very large majority of our pupils have
formed these good habits of work.
what do think about the outlook for next
year? Well, am scarcely able to answer that
briefly. Ii seems reasonable TO expect nearly
Us new pupils in the first year work. If such
should be the case we will open in September
with more than 2O0 This is a large
number to take care OF where we
are now located. and yet we mean
to make the very most of our opportunities.
There are some general lines of work we hope
to see developed this year. One is more atten-
ton to the writing OF English. l hope we may
find it possible to pursue q regular course of ex
ercises by which every pupil in the school shall
be required 10 write each day few sentences
on some topic or about some object I am
satisfied we fail TO develop, for some reason, the
ability to express thought clearly and with
facility. It has not been possible, hitherto, to
give enough attention to that matter, but
trust we may be able to secure better results by
the end OF another year.
"Then, too, am hoping to arrange for a series
of free lectures next winter in connection with
our work. have not even spoken to the super
| intendent or board Of education about it. but
feel quite certain they will heartily indorse the
idea If it be shown to be advantageous to our
| pupils.
1.-THE additional teacher furnished us by the
board to develop our normal work will enable
US to give special attention to that important de-
partment Miss Hyatt, who expects to take up this
branch has had large experience in the St Louis
| City Normal school, and is admirably qualified
Several young ladies have already indicated
desire to return to pursue the course in normal
training.
"Do we need new building? Yes, indeed,
we do. No other need is so imperative as this
1t is absolutely impossible to develop
some important lines OF our work
until we have another building More
than this, where We now are it is dark and
decidedly injurious to the health of the pupils
All this is fully appreciated by the board,
and / believe they intend TO begin
the erection of q new building at an
early date. They certainly have made
every effort possible to put the present quarters
into proper condition and to get equipment for
our work. The most encouraging feature to me
has been this hearty and unanimous support
have received from the superintendent and
board of education II they can provide suit
able building, we will, think, prove that the
money has not been spent in vain"