The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-06-25
WEST HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATING EXERCISES HELD IN
THE TOWN HAIL.

superintendent Drummond Speaks
Upon the Progress Made In Past Seven
Years-Testimonial From Rev. j. N.
Graduates Chorus of 125 Voices
Drawing Exhibition.
The Town hall at West Haven was
last evening the scene of the
closing exercises of the High school
department of the Union schools.
Under the direction of the teachers
of the department and of Florist Hofer
the stage was handsomely decorated;
and, with this motto, "Quisque Palmam
Ferat," in very large letters suspended
over the front of the stage, the class of
1898 presented an attractive sight to
the audience.
On the platform were seated the
members of the board of education,
Superintendent A. M. Drummond and
tlIS lCetCllclS VI lllS oCllOoio. DOloiS
proceeding with the work Of the pro-
gram Mr.. Drummond made some intro
ductory remarks concerning the con-
dition of the schools, in part, as
follows:
In the fall of 1891, the schools opened
with IA teachers and 534 pupils. The
present school year closes with "a
teachers and $40 pupils. Seven years
ago only one of the fourteen teachers
was Normal graduate; of the present
corps, fourteen are Normal graduates.
During the seven years covered by
Mr.. Drummond's experimenting, there
have been "A different teachers engag-
ed in the public schools of West Ha-
ven.
When Mr.. Drummond took charge of
the schools, he tried to inspire both
teachers and pupils with the true OBJ
ject of educational work-not school
keeping and hearing lessons, but men
tai development and training for citi-
zenship He advocated the establish
ment of Kindergarten work for the
youngest pupils and devised a schedule
OIL lIlSITuCLlUll III IllOIdlS, IlldI1lSlS dllo
science teaching, to extend through
a period of eight years, preparatory to
a high school course. IIe introduced
the giving of certificates to pupils who
completed the eight years course of
study and diplomas to those who fin
ished the High school course. The mat
ter Of graduating and receiving official
acknowledgment of work accomplished
has been very popular one, as it has
aroused pupils to ambition, and has
been a powerful inducement for them
to continue in school, especially as most
pupils, on account of circumstances,
can not hope to pursue extended
courses Of study.
At present the schools have thor
oughly graded system, carefully adapt
ed to local requirements, including
eight years of elementary instruction,
selected with the fact in view that
comparatively few pupils are able to
devote time enough even to go through
grammar course; and, in addition,
the system provides for three years
in High school branches of study
During the past seven years, SO pu-
pills have completed the work laid down
in the High school department; and, of
these, IL have either graduated from
college, are in college, or are preparing
for college, while 16 have either gradu-
ated from Normal school or have en-
tered the course, and about 20 are en-
gagged in clerkships or other lines of
industrious activity.
Seven years ago there was no library
connected with the schools. Mr..
Drummond issued a circular letter to
the people of the district, showing the
need of books for the proper training of
the pupils, and soliciting donations of
books His appeal met with a generous
response, two gentlemen each giving
SIS worth Of new books and the total
contributions amounting to more than
one hundred volumes. Since this eff
fort was made, the citizens have an
nually voted the sum of $50 for library
purposes which, supplemented by an
equal amount from the state enables
the catalogue to show a list Of about
$50 volumes.
The teachers have been able to quick
en- the tastes of the pupils so that, by
voluntary contributions, most of the
school rooms are decorated with por-
traits and other pictures, thus making
tIlC PldcOo WALClC tAO SIiioA GA opSit 81
much of their time seem home-like and
beautiful to their eyes.
The graduating classes have been en-
couraged to become interested in tree
planting, and 20 trees have been set
out on the grounds of the Union school,
and 36 on the public green.
About thirty ampelopsisoines have
been planted around the sides of the
Union school, which have already be-
gun to give the building fine appear
ance The pupils have been trained to
love flowers, and the profusion of flow
ering plants in and about the different
schools has been a noticeable feature.
The Introduction of the Pollard syn
thetic method, whose principles Mr..
Drummond had used in schools for
more than twenty years, caused a radi-
cal change and a marked Improvement
in the matter of teaching children to
read and SPELL The results obtained
have been very remarkable, and seve-
raj of the primary teachers have be-
come exceedingly skillful in this system
of instruction. The pupils not only
quickly pass through the regular set of
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