The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-03-03
School Superintendent Report.


deals at length with the condition aud
needs of the schools. The Superintend-
ent discusses the city and rural schools in
separate sections. We make the follow
ing extracts:
CITY SCHOOLS.
Last September a system of principals
for each building was adopted. The good
results of this move have grown beyond
my greatest expectations. Better disci-
pline, cleaner rooms, cleaner grounds,
less hardness and better attention are
some of the results of the plan. Particu-
larly has this reform been felt in the Cen :
trail schools. Mr.. Ellis has spared no eff
fort to carry out the wishes Of the COM
mittee, even taking upon himself extra
work. The Central schools last year, as
shown by the registers, were particularly
poor in attendance and punctuality. A
different atmosphere now exists. The
various rooms are to-day vieing with each
other for highest percentage of attend
ance and punctuality. All pupils in the
schools under this system march in to the
sound of the drum, and also all pupils re-
port to the principals of their respective
schools whenever absent or tardy before
being allowed to go on with their classes
All excuses are also sent to the principal
for approval before being accepted by the
teacher These changes are having a sal
utary effect upon teacher, pupil and par
ent, although some unpleasantness has
arisen as result of the enforcement of
the new regulations. Still the good sense
of the parent and the honest spirit of the
teacher always brought the matter to an
amcable settlement. | would recommend
in this connection that MI. Ellis be made
principal of all the rooms on the common
below the High, for it seems to me that
the past results would warrant it. The
High school has now become depart
ment by itself, with different hours and
very little in common with the other
rooms. Its principal has more than he
can do in his own department with his
own teachers and pupils, without being
burdened with the cares of the common
schools in his building. 1t seems better
that these schools should be placed under
the discipline of the Grammar master of
the Central schools.
The nine grade system adopted by your
committee at the beginning of the present
scholastic year has already proved a sue
cess. Care was exercised in making the
change, so that little OF no disturbance
has been created. The extra grade was
practically placed i'll the system below the
Grammar, and the advent of new books
and methods during the year has permit
ted the addition OF the new grade I'M
noticed As a result of the new graded
system better work is very apparent in
the lower schools, and a great amount of
friction that existed before has disap-
peared
Considerable change was made in the
corps Of teachers during the year. In the
High school Mr.. Il. L. Ilsley was succeed
ed by Mir. II. D. Mcclellan. In the Cram
mar school Miss NJ. A. Bickford was sue
ceeGed by Miss A. L. Mcdowell, who in
turn was succeeded by Miss NJ. A. Mason
In the Central Intermediate Miss E. NJ
Folsom was granted year leave of alb
sence without pay, and Miss A. A. Tilton
was transferred from the Head of the
Tide to I'LL the temporary vacancy Miss
E. NJ. Laid, who was in training in our
schools, was elected to fill the position
during the absence of Miss Tlton.
There is no question more discussed
to-day by parents, teachers, superinten-
dent and committee then that of promo
ton. To promote pupil oft times, when
the pupil and usually is attended with
serious results. 1t is equally true that to
hold a pupil back produces discourage
ment and disappointment In June we
conditioned SO pupils and then sent per-
sonal letter to their parents for an inter
view. The result was satisfactory, every
case was adjusted. The result has been
a toning up of the various grades. Each
pupil was entered in September where he
belonged and there were no conditions.
In view of the work and results last year
definite policy has been outlined the
salient points of which are:
list. To promote no pupil unless his
work is up to grade.
I'd. No pupil is to be promoted who is
not recommended by the teacher for pro
motion, sustained by work shown.
Sd. All pupils not promoted to be re-
admitted by certificate TO old grade.
4th. Examinations for promotion to be
abolished i'll all grades below the Gram
mar, and promotion to be made on rec
ommendation of teacher, sustained by
work done for the year.
9Th. Teachers to keep parents notified
OF the work, and as often as record shows
a falling below the promotion standard, a
specially written note to be sent to the
parent.
9th. The motto of the teachers in this
respect to be Take care of the tag end OF
the class
eth. The department to decide in all
cases of failure to obtain promotion
whether the pupil will be held back or
recommended for vacation study.
h. In all cases where pupil fails in a
particular study and makes up the same
during vacation an examination will be
required ON that study.
The repairs and improvements include
the division of the Central Intermedia te
room, throwing the former recitation
room into cloak room, and placing the
doors in the opposite end of the building.
At the Head of the Tide new clubhouse
was built and the school room partially
revarnished. A bell has been purchased
for the Upper Grammar school building.
The Superintendent devotes consider
able space to the overcrowded condition
of the schools. AS a remedy he suggests
building two story addition to the High
school building and relieving the Lower
Grammar school by putting part of the
pupils from each of its grades with the
new part; or using the hall over the High
school room for school purposes. He
also suggests building a wing on the North
Primary schoolhouse to accommodate the
new grade there.
He reviews at some length the subjects