The Republican journal., 1897-03-11
The Belfast School Report.

| tHe scnoOl affairs OF the city IN thorough
manner, and gives the organization of the
| committee, its sub committees and officers
the school calendar; storm signals; Com
mlttee's report; Superintendent report, in
Guiding articles on "The City Schools
1.-The Rural Schools, Statements and Rec
concentrations for the City Schools" "Rec-
concentrations for the Rural Schools" and
General Statement Relative to Both Sys-
tens, together with report by the Princi-
pal of the High School, the Music Teacher
and the Truant Officer.
We make the following brief extracts
from the book, and recommend its careful
perusal by all who are interested in our
school work:
James H. Howes, Chairman of the Com
mittee, says
The Superintendent has clearly set forth
the defects. He has called your attention
TO some of its needs. He has devoted his
entire time and best energies to our schools.
he mas won the respect and confidence of
the teachers, who have been materially
assisted in attaining the most satisfactory
results by his advice. L doubt if the citi
zens OF Belfast fully appreciate their obliga-
ton to ~ hard-working, faithful corps of
teachers ~ our public schools, and l trust
|
the great service they daily render our
future citizens The school committee fully
concur with the Superintendent in his
port and refer you to said report for de-
tails, especially calling your attention to the
condition of the school buildings"
From the superintendent Report
One of the first points that attracted NV
attention in studying the system was the
peculiar arrangements OF the city and rural
| ScDOO. S-DRculdr lnaSnuCh Y | rppOpDiZaI
in their arrangement the possibility of work
ing them in different systems, keeping them
entirely distinct in plans and operations,
and having only one thing in common, VIZ.
the best possible results under the exist
ing condition of each system. Inasmuch as
my work has been 50 divided shall present
to you this report under two heads, City
and Rural Schools.
The Superintendent recommends storm
porches over the outside doors Of the school
buildings. He reports the changes made in
text books during the year, in biographies
and arithmetics He speaks favorably Of
the system of vertical writing, adopted this
year, and gives some suggestions as to his
tory, nature work, drawing and reading
The system of flag days is explained, aud
a paragraph dey oted to Teachers Meet
inge."
| In his Statements and Recommendations
for City Schools" he refers to the crowded
condition of the schools and the poor az
rangement of the recitation rooms. OF the
'Eight-Grade System he says:
l am convinced that the plan of eight
grades in our schools, below the High is
not desirable, and the work produced there
from will never be satisfactory. In all cities
| That nave the elght-grade plan there is either
kindergarten or sub-primary attached
and in many of the foremost cities of New
| England there are nine grades with the kim
| dergarten and the sub-primary Just men,
toned. AS result of the present system
| development is apt to be lost sight of in vain
J efforts to accomplish the greatest amount of
| work i'll given time. A part of the fault of
our crowded schools to-day is due largely to
| our present plan If we would secure our
selves from catastrophe in the future years.
| let us build our foundation broad If in the
future, the conditions warrant the concen-
tration into eight grades, it will then be time
to do it, but not at the very beginning of our
course.
He explains at length the proposed plan
of semi-annual promotions, and presents
strong points IN its favor. He also recon-
mends that one of the teachers in each
building to be given charge in capacity of
principal of that building-presumabl the
teacher of the highest grade. Such a plan
would greatly aid the machinery of the
schools and reduce friction to the minimum. |
In regard to his work in the rural schools
the Superintendent says:
These schools are visited regularly every |
four weeks, each visit being at least half a |
day in length The entire rural system is |
also visited the second day of each term in |
order to insure the successful beginning /
and learn the Immediate needs of these |
schools. With these, there are also brief |
visits when any special need comes up |
This with 1.-THE monthly teachers meeting |
enables the department to keep well in hand |
the work of the system.
General repairs We're made on nearly all |
of the buildings during the summer vaca-
ton, but many of them far from being
in desirable condition now Among the |
needy school-houses, [ would call your at
tention to the Citypoint school-house, which |
needs clapboards and a little money spent
on the grounds; and the Hayford school |
house which needs plastering.
L would suggest that effort be made to
grade the Brick" school, and the pupils |
from the shore road that are now carried to
the city be sent there This would necessi- |
tate expenditure of some money in order |
to convert the building into two recitation |
rooms, so that the two observation-disclosures
mar and Primary-could exist.
The city is greatly indebted to many peo-
pie for aid in clothing children, thus enab-
ling them to attend school.
Last fall number of the teachers IN ct and |
organized branch of the Maine Reading
Circle for the purpose of professional read
ing. The circle meets regularly Monday |
evenings.
Last winter circular was issued to the |
people of the city a plea for special |
school. AS a result sum of money was |
raised by subscription and school started
The experiment has proved highly success
full. 1t seems expedlent that such school |
become part of the regular system. |
recommend that in making up the appropri- |
atlons for the coming year the expenses of |
the special school be included.