Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-07-14

4 DIV LIE DBDllt WlinOut t1CiA n ~ " LIS >%@e~.
they were actually studying botany.
recommend that some of the classes of the
third grade and some OF the fifth be
| taught by the teacher OF the fourth grade
and that the teacher OF this grade be hired
with that understanding.
REMAINING GRADES.
The study of geography with text
hook has been moved up to the NTH
grade and Buffers Elementary geography
has been introduced as supplementary to
Frye's.
been made more valuable than usual by
| the use OF some of the texts already mem
| toned, and the study OF nature carried
out very fully in connection with the
| Normal readers. The teacher here Is very
careful aud painstaking and excellent
progress has peen made.
The seventh and eighth grades have
done especially good work In English for
the instruction of which the teacher Is
exceptionally well fitted and does salts
factorily in all branches.
Two classes per day from the seventh
grade have been taught by the teacher OF
the fourth grade during the greater part
OF the year.
AT the beginning OF the year a Division
of about fifteen pupils that had Jailed TO
pass into tine High school last year, was
something OF problem. 1t seemed un-
desira bic that they form part OF the regu-
lar ninth grade, and With them do the
work OF last year. II was decided, finally,
that they constitute a tenth grade, par
ticularly as the possibility presented 1t.
self that such a grade be permanent But
whether that were done or not, this ar
rangement for the year seemed most sat-
isfactory The divisioD-during the fore
part OF the year-did such work as the
teacher OF the grammar room and myself
thought fitting. It seemed evident how
ever, as the year advanced, that this d.
vision was but little, or II any, better
prepared to go on into the High school
than the ninth grade. Accordingly as l
was furthermore convinced that a tenth
grade in the school was unnecessary, the
work OF the two grades was combined as
the year advanced, and all have moved on
very satisfactorily together.
Excellent work Is done by the teacher In
this department..
Twenty-seven from the two grades were
considered fitted to enter the High school
next year. would recommend that here
after the number of grades be nine. The
work OF preparation for the High school
can be done in nine years II the time be
well employed. l further recommend that
the ninth grade alone constitute the gram.
mar department, and that the teacher OF
this department have charge OF some OF
the Rotations OF the eighth grade.
Merril's Vertical System of renman-
ship was adopted in the forepart OF the
year, and has been used in all grades save
in the grammar room, where II will be
used next year.
An attempt was made to do something
with drawing at the beginning Of the
year; but found on investigation that
none of the teachers we're fitted to teach
drawing to their pupils. thought OF
taking It up In the weekly teachers meet
ings; but as my knowledge of drawing is
very meager, ana much time must De
spent by me upon the subject in order TO
take 1t up properly, 1t was deemed best to
put 1t over until next year, when more
time might be devoted to 1t. Hence no
systematic work In drawing has been done
in the grades this year.
Graduating exercises OF the grammar
department were held at the close OF the
year for the first time In the school. Ger
tifcates indicating that the work OF the
grades had been completed, and that the
holders we're entitled TO entrance into the
High school without examination, we're
given to the graduates.
The value OF the exercises to the pupils
Is considerable. Aside from their instruc-
tive character, they incite the pupils to
finish the work of the grades satisfactori-
ly, and are made means OF inducing
them to continue on In the High school.
1t is hoped that the exercises will be
permanent in the school.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The High school at the beginning OF the
gear was In a somew bat peculiar state, and
Ii seemed best to make some changes.
The great majority OF the school had in
completed work-in many cases OF several
years standing. Examinations, here as
well as to a certain degree in the grades,
had become mere matter of form. That
a failure to pass examinations should pre-
vent promotion to the next higher class
or graduation was strange. A system of
marking and standard of scholarship was
established operative in all departments
above the fourth grade. Report cards,
stating the marking and standard re-
quired, with rank IN class and course for
the High school, have been issued to the
pupils each month. Their eject has been
very apparent in the renewed effort on the
part OF students and in a feeling that the |
school required something of them which |
they must meet or drop back.
few in the High school as well as in
the grades, seeing themselves behind the |
others, and unwilling to make the re-
quired extra effort, have left school, but |
on the Whole, the result has been very sat |
isfactory.
No school can long MAINTAIN reputa- |
tion for excellence, which does not main |
tain standard of scholarship OF but little, |
If any, flexibility land whose diploma does |
not carry to every one ofits possessors the |
feeling OF obligations properly discharged |
-of school work well done.
Many changes seemed imperative along
t he line OF order. There was remarkable
lack OF system among the students.
In large school every effort must be
made by its head to lessen confusion and
secure quietness. But the students seemed
'to the manor born" and particularly as
the new arrangement seemed to some to
discredit the work of the former princi-
pal, a very popular and very good teach
pr, every effort was made to resist innova-
ion and to prevent and ridicule changes.
Hence the fall term was considerably |
broken by attempts at disorder, with the
object just mentioned. AS the idea that
he students of High school might be
,oerced to a sense Of duty was foreign to
he conceptions OF majority, the disor-
iers became very bold and finally heroic I
Methods were necessary and adopted to ;
,ring about order.
Much better results were obtained dur
ng the winter term. Several disordery {
tudents. unable to bring about a condi- {
l.