The Republican journal., 1896-06-25
The Belfast Schools.
Graduation of the High School Class. Closing Ex-
erclses In Other Grades.

ercses In Other Grades.
The closing of the schools of Belfast for
1896 was highly satisfactory. A class of
four young ladies graduated from the High
school, and the exercises were held at the
Belfast Opera House, Friday evening, June
10Th. Large classes were graduated from
each of the lower grades, as follows: Upper
Grammar to High 81 suburban Grammar
and ungraded schools to High, 20; Lower
Grammar to Upper Grammar, 81 Central
intermediate to Grammar, %; South Inter-
mediate to Grammar, %; North Primary to
Intermediate, "a; South Primary to Inter
mediate, q.
The examinations in all the grades showed
that the new methods of teaching are pro-
ducing good results. In place of the old
time memorzing of rules and tables, in
number work, the reasoning powers are en-
ployed, and each problem solved by anal
ysis. The memory is given its work upon
the necessary tables of weights, measures,
ETC.; the rules for the various processes are
made secondary to the reasoning out of the
problems. In reading the text books are
time, the matter thus being new and more
like the reading in actual life. A great adj
vance is noticeable in this department.
Spelling is taught in connection with the
''word-method' of reading, and as there are
frequent written examinations" in all
studies, the spelling is carried along in con-
nection with all branches. In geography,
history and language the method employed
is such as to interest the pupil and at the
same time firmly III in the mind the desired
information. The most noticeable advance,
however, is in music. The instruction under
the direction of Mrs. E. S. Pitcher is such as
to develop to the utmost the musical abii-
ties of the pupils.
The Introduction of the new methods was
begun two years ago with the lower grades
of the primary schools, and the work has
been gradually advanced to the Upper
Grammar grade, where the remarka bly,
thorough work which has characterized the
school for years has been fully kept up.
Graduates from this school enter our High
school or other similar institutions as we'll
equipped in mental and moral training as
graduates from any school of the same grade
in New England Our High school is an
institution III which our citizens can feel
just pride. Under highly educated and
competent teachers its graduates stand in
the front rank of graduates from the High
schools of the country. AS in all High
schools, the number of graduates is small in
comparison nth those who enter, but those
who take one, two or three years course
and then enter upon their life work, or at
tend schools for special purposes, go with
consciousness of time we'll spent.
The work done in the suburban schools
has been highly satisfactory The smallest
pupils have made commendabie progress
and the number who took Grammar school
certificates is larger than ever before. In
addition to the number reported above four
pupils from other towns, who received tut
A..
school certificates.
Among the pleasant events of the closing
week were the gifts from the pupils and
others to the teachers and Superintendent.
Mr.. Evans friends presented him with
handsome gold ring, with jet shield and
gold initial "E, also silver nane-plate for
his cane. The pupils in Miss w adsworths
division presented Mr.. Evans with a vol
ume entitled "A Book of Golden Deeds"
with a silver fastener. Mr.. Ellis was given
handsome chair, and Miss Lord bon-bon
dish by their pupils, and Miss Lord large
basket OF flowers from A. Cutter Sibley, Jr.
Miss Bickford was given a tete-a-tete set
and Belfast souvenir card receiver; Miss
Bird two souvenir spoons and a cup and
saucer; Mrs. Hall Belfast souvenir card
receiver and vase; Miss Folsom number of
gifts from individual pupils; Miss Wiggin
silver napkin ring, Dresden china plate and
cut glass atomizer; Miss Carter set of sill
Yer waist buttons, cup and saucer and
bon-bon dish Miss Walton a number of
gifts from individuals, and Miss Piper a
silver thimble.
THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Mr.. r. l.. Ilsley, Mr.. Hugh D. Mcclellan
Successor to Miss Jane A. McLellan) and
Miss Caroline W. Field. teachers.
The graduation of the Belfast High School
class of '96 was successful and satisfactory
in every particular There was large at
1t.4r- ted IL,
Belfast Opera House was filed to its entire
seating capacity. The decorations of the
stage and surroundings We're simple and eff
fective. The entire background was of white,
arranged i'll graceful folds and prettily be-
sprinkled with sprigs of green fern. Above
the STAGE on white ground, was the motto
OF the class doe ye Nexte Thynge," in old
English letters of carnaton, the class color.
AT each side OF the stage stood a bank of
evergreens and bright blossoms, and row
of red and white flowers extended along the
front of the stage. A few palms potted
plants, etc, on the stage gave very pretty
effect. Tie pupils, teachers, superintend-
ent and clergy entered through an arch of
evergreen at the rear of the stage. The Bel
fast Band was in attendance and rendered
the selections of the program in a highly
artistic manner. The young lady graduates
We're very prettily attired in white, and as
each one closed her portion of the exercises
she was presented with handsome floral Of
ferings by friends in the audience
The exercises We're as follows:
Overture, ''Tancredi,' Rossini.
Belfast Band
Prayer.
Rev. J. F. Tilton.
IntermeZzo from Rusticana, Mascagni
Belfast Band
Salutatory and Essay, "The Little Manx
Nation" by Lea PIERCE Ellis. This was
scholarly production, in which the writ
er, after a few words of welcome to the
fellow pupils in tine school, the teachers,
school committee and friends present
gave sketch of the curious people who
inhabit the Isle of Mann, their political
condition, moral and social customs. etc.
Pastorale and Polka, Morand
Belfast Band.
Essay, "Clara Barton by Della Hatch PEN
dleton. In this essay Miss Pendleton paid
fitting tribute to the life work of the
noble woman whose recent labors in the
Red Cross Society for the prosecuted Ar
menians has brought her 80 favorablv to
the notice of the American people
Ma Plus Belle. Waldteufel
Belfast Band
history and Prophecy, by Edith Maud
Elingwood. The history of this class is
similar to all in High schools Starting
four years ago with twenty -tive, the ranks
have grown thinner from year to year as
the members withdrew to enter upon their
cation in some special branch not included
avail I,.rh