The herald., 1897-06-25
Commencement Exercises
Last Night
in THE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
AN INTERESTING PROGRAM
RENDERED
Essays Read by Graduates, Vocal and
Instrumental Music-Address
by President Pierce

sembled in the normal school auditorium
last evening for the commencement
exercises and an Interesting program
was presented for their entertainment
There was absolutely no attempt at dec
grafton; but the classic simplicity of tn
great room and the fine engravings tha
always hang upon its walls were quit
in harmony with the dignity of th
school and of its purpose.
Upon the platform the graduates wer
seated with President E. T. Pierce art
Professor Melville Dozier. The boar
of trustees were obliged to be in Sal
Jose and were therefore reluctantly bu
unavoidably absent as President Pierc,
explained from the platform early in th'
evening.
The front of the platform was solit
bank of roses carnations and Other
flowers which, in greatest profusion, hac
been sent to the members of the gradu
ating class.
After a couple of we'll rendered in.
strumental numbers, a march and se-
lection from Norma, by the school or
chestra; and two vocal numbers by tbs
glee club, directed by Mrs. Rice, Adam
Geibeps '"Tis Morn" and Beethoven S
1.-THE Evenings Holy Hour" Rev. A. w
Ryder offered prayer; part of the glee
club sang II Waited for the Lord" BY
Mendelssohn, and then came the first
essay, woman as an Educator" by
Miss Evalyn Layne. Miss Lillian D.
Hagan read the second essay, "Educa-
ton a Prepare ton for Life" and two
more musical numbers followed-o1
rather four, for both were encored. The
first was flute trio from Rossi1i s
"Semiramide," played by Messrs. Ols-
hausen, Mead and Rice; the second by
Root, 1.-THE Major Scales Courtship," q
jolly part song that was greatly enjoyed.
The third essay, The Teachers
Preparation" Miss Alice Gem Hall, was
followed by two vocal solos, Handel's
angels Ever Bright and Fair" and
Benjamin Godard's delicious little
"Chanson de Florian," both of which
were sang by Mrs. Adina Mitchell with
her accustomed naivete. Mrs B. Il.
Allison read the fourth and last essay,
on kindergarten Principles" the
slee club sang the Fairy Land Waltz
by Veazie, and then President Edward
T. Pierce made particularly interest
ing address, awarded the diplomas. and
the orchestra played a selection for the
closing number In part President
Pierce said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: Although
we have only a small class to graduate,
this is a memorable occasion. AS you
doubtless know, the length of the course
of study in the normal schools of the
state was changed three years ago from
three to four years. Provision was
made. however, for a short course COW
ering from two to two and one-half
years for graduates of accredited high
schools The present graduating class
is largely the fruit of that plan. Many
of them are students who could have
been admitted to the university without
examination two years ago; more than
half of their work here has been in the
study and application of the principles
of education.
I'VE look forward to the time wher
all who enter the normal school will
have had the preparatory training of
thorough high school course before
they enter upon the study of the science
and art of teaching. Then and then
only, when no academic work will need
to be done here, can this be distinctly
and entirely professional training
school,
Again, the occasion is made memora
bic because of the fact that four of the
young ladies before you are to receive
diplomas. They are the
first to be granted by the state of Cali
fornia, and the first diplomas of any
character from any institution in this
state that are, by law, legal licenses
to teach, requiring no certificate from
city or county board of education.
One year ago last April the trustees
of the several California state normal
schools, in joint session as San Jose,
adopted resolution to the effect that
as soon as practicable kindergarten
training departments should be estab
lished in connection with the normal
schools. The only school that found ii
possible to adopt this course at once was
the Los Angeles normal school, and the
trustees of this school had the high honor
of establishing, last September, the
first training school for kindergarteners
under the auspices of the state of Cali
fornia. This school has just closed its
first year of work. a year that has been
eminently successful.
Under the new law passed by the last
legislature authorizing kindergarten
courses in the normal schools of the
state. the diplomas of this department
ontitle the holder TO teach in any kinder
garten school in the state of California
without further examination.
The question may be asked why We
have established school for the train
ing of kindergarten teachers. 1 answer,
for two reasons. First. because a true
is indispensable in an in
stitution for the training Of teachers
for the public schools Second. there is
a demand for teachers who have had
such training as viii enable them intel
ligently to conduct kindergarten schools.
Only those who show a high standard
Of scholarship and ability will be admit
ted to this course, as it is the aim of the
trustees to make it equal to the best kim
dergarten training schoos Of the east.
At this time It may not be inappropri-
ate to state a few facts in regard to
the origin, the philosophy and the
growth of the kindergarten, a phase of
that has within it such vital
force that il is fast being incorporated
into the public school systems of all
The progressive nations of the world.
The system was founded by Freder.
ck Froebel, a pupil of Pestalozzi. and
from the latter no doubt, acquired his
irst conception of the necessity of OBJ
servation in all mental development.