USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1890-1892 > Part 32
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Hooker, Thomas, preacher, founder, democrat. (Makers of America.) G : L. Walker. 5097.90 .
Hopkins, Mark. (American. religious leaders.) Franklin Carter. 5116.90
House of Martha, The. F. R. Stockton. 8764.1
Huckleberries gathered from New England Hills. Rose T. Cooke. 2992.1
I.
I saw three ships, and other winter tales. A. T: Q. Couch [Q]. 3046.1
Illustrated London News. V. 9, 10. 1891-92. R. L.
Imperative duty, An. W : D. Howells. 5180.1
Imperial Germany. A critical study of fact and character. Sidney Whitman. 57.51
*In freedom's cause : a story of Wallace and Bruce. G : A. Henty. 4856.5
*In Greek waters; a story of the Grecian War of Independence, 1821-27. G : A. Henty. 4856.7
*In old Quinnebasset. Rebecca S. Clarke [Sophie May]. 2829.1
In the heart of the storm. Miss M. G. Tuttiett. 9174.1
*In the High Valley. Sequel to " Clover." Sarah
C. Woolsey [Susan Coolidge]. . 9747.5 In the "Stranger People's" country. Mary N. Mur- free [Charles Egbert Craddock]. . 6970.1
128
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
International education series.
Elementary psychology and education. Joseph Baldwin.
150.1
Essays on educational reformers. R. H. Quick. 1035.90 Pestalozzi : his life and work. Roger de Guimps. 7341.90 Psychology applied to the art of teaching. Joseph Baldwin. 370.2
Intuitions of the mind inductively investigated.
James McCosh. . 156.1
Invertebrate zoology, Handbook of. W : K. Brooks. 592.1
J.
Jackson, Gen. Thomas J. (Stonewall Jackson), Life and letters of. Mary A. Jackson. 5420.90
Jew at home, The. Joseph Pennell. .
296.1
K.
Kindergarten guide. First vol : The gifts. Maria Kraus-Boelte and J : Kraus. 372.2
*Kindergarten stories and morning talks. Written
and compiled by Sara E. Wiltse. 9676.1
"Knockabout Club on the Spanish Main. F: A.
Ober.
977.1
L.
Lady of Fort St. John, The. Mary H. Catherwood. Lancaster, Mass., Public Library. Catalogue of
2545.1
books added since March 1, 1891. R. L. Last words of Thomas Carlyle : Wotton Reinfred, a romance; Excursion (futile enough) to Paris ; Letters. 2493.70 ·
6145.56
Latest literary essays and addresses. J. R. Lowell. Lectures on the history of literature delivered April to July, 1838. T: Carlyle.
809.1
Le Français. V. 11. 1891. L. F. 5435.1
Lesson of the master, and other stories. H : James. Lexington. A handbook of its points of interest, historical and picturesque. 950.1
Library Journal. V. 16. 1891. . R. L.
Life on the circuit with Lincoln. H: C. Whitney. 5994.91
129
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
Lincoln, Abraham. A history. 10 v. J : G. Nicolay and J : Hay.
5994.90
Little brothers of the air. [Birds. ] Olive T. Miller. 598.2
Little minister, The. J. M. Barrie. 1712.1 *Little Smoke. A tale of the Sioux. W : O. Stod- dard. 8772.1
Longer English poems. With notes and an introduc- tion on the teaching of English. Ed. by J. W. Hales.
1061.40
Love for an hour is love forever. Amelia E. Barr. : 1709.2
Lowell, James Russell. Poems. 4 v. 6145.40 Lyra Bicyclica : sixty poets on the wheel. J. G. Dalton. . 3222.40
M.
Makers of America.
Cotton Mather, the Puritan priest. Barrett Wen-
dell. .
6515.90
Francis Higginson. T: W. Higginson. · John Winthrop, first Governor of the Mass. Colony. J. H. Twichell. . 9687.90
Robert Fulton : his life and its results. R. H :
Thurston. . 4092.90
Thomas Hooker, preacher, founder, democrat. G. L. Walker. · Mammon. Annie F. Hector [Mrs. Alexander]. ·
5097.90
4799.1
Man wonderful in the house beautiful, The. An allegory teaching the principles of physiology and hygiene. C. B. and Mary A. Allen. . *Marcy the refugee. (War series.) C: A. Fosdick [ Harry Castlemon]. .
613.63
Marguerite de Valois, queen of Navarre, Memoirs of. Written by her own hand. .
6406.90
Marie Antoinette and the downfall of royalty. (Famous women of the French court.)
Imbert
de Saint-Amand.
6408.93
Marie Antoinette at the Tuileries. 1789-91. (Famous women of the French court.) Imbert de Saint Amand. 6408.92 · Marston, Philip Bourke. Collected poems. · 6454.40
4917.90
3976.4
9
130
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
Massachusetts, Story of. (Story of the states.) E : E. Hale.
945.1 Mass. Society for promoting Agriculture. Centennial year, 1792-1892. 630.1
Mather, Cotton, the Puritan priest. (Makers of America. ) Barrett Wendell. 6515.90
Member of the Third House, A. Hamlin Garland. 4139.1
Memoirs of a physician. An historical romance. Alexandre Dumas. 3559.5
* Midshipman Paulding. Molly E. Seawell. ·
8289.1
Miss Bagg's secretary. A West Point romance.
Clara L. Burnham.
2345.1
Miss Nobody of Nowhere. A. C. Gunter.
4490.1
Miss Wilton. Cornelia Warren. 9465.1
Modern Philosophy, The spirit of. Josiah Royce.
109.50
Molluska, Manual of the. S : P. Woodward.
594.1
Montrose. (English men of action.) Mowbray
Morris.
4353.90
Moral teachings of science. Arabella B. Fisher. 215.1
Mostly Marjorie Day. Virginia F. Townsend. 9104.1
N.
Nada the Lily. H. R. Haggard. 4522.1
Nation. V. 53, 54. 1891-92. .
R. L.
Nature and man in America. N. S. Shaler. 557.1 .
Nature in ornament. (Text books of ornamental design.) L :. F. Day. 745.1
Nature series.
Chemistry of photography. Raphael Meldola. 771.1
Polarisation of light. W : Spottiswoode. 535.1
Naval history of the Civil War. D. D. Porter. 927.1
Neesima, Joseph Hardy, Life and letters of. A. S. Hardy. 7037.90
New England Magazine. V. 1, 2, 4, 5. 1889-92. : N. E. M. New Harry and Lucy, The. A story of Boston in the summer of 1891. E : E. and Lucretia P. Hale. 4524.1 New life, The. Dante Alighieri. Tr. by C: E. Norton. 3230.45
*New Mexico David, A, and other stories and sketches of the Southwest. C : F. Lummis. 963.1
131
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
New world called America, History of the. V. 1.E: J : Payne. . 900.2
Nineteenth Century. V. 30. 1891. .
N. C. North American Review. V. 153, 154. 1891-92. N. A. R. North Country comedy, A. Matilda B. Edwards. 3638.1 Norwood ; or, village life in New England. H: W. Beecher. 1793.1
0.
Obiter dicta. Second series. Augustine Birrell. 1920.51
On the border with Crook. J : G. Bourke. 3130.90
On the plantation. A story of a Georgia boy's adventures during the war. J. C. Harris. 4646.1
One good guest, The. Lucy B. Walford. 9413.1
One reason why. Beatrice Whitby. 9565.1
*Our clerk from Barkton. (Look ahead series. ) E:
A. Rand. 7732.4 Our Presidents ; or, the lives of the 23 Presidents of the U. S. Virginia F. Townsend. 1029.90
Outing. V. 18, 19. 1891-92. 0.
Outline of the necessary laws of thought : a treatise on pure and applied logic. W : Thomson. 160.1
P.
Palmerston, K. G., Viscount. Marquis of Lorne. 8968.90 Pauline : Paracelsus : Strafford : Sordello : Pippa Passes : King Victor and King Charles. Robert Browning. 2249.41
People of the United States, History of, from the revolution to the civil war. V. 3. J: B. McMaster. · 59.1
Persia and Kurdistan, Journeys in. 2 v. Isabella L. Bishop. (Inter. education Pestalozzi : his life and work.
92.12
series.) Roger de Guimps.
7341.90
Peter Ibbetson. G : DuMaurier.
3561.1
Pharaohs, fellahs and explorers. Amelia B. Edwards. 12.49 Photography, Chemistry of. (Nature series.) Raphael Meldola. 771.1 Physical development and exercise for women. Mary T. Bissell. 613.62
132
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
Pitt. (Twelve English statesmen.) Lord Rosebery. 7413.90
Polarisation of light. (Nature series.) W : Spottis- woode. 535.1
Political Americanisms. C : L. Norton. · 934.1
Popular Science Monthly. V. 39, 40. 1891-92 .. P. S. M.
*Pot of gold, The, and other stories. Mary E.
Wilkins.
9624.1
Potiphar's wife and other poems. Edwin Arnold. 1504.40
Preacher's daughter, The. Amelia E. Barr.
1709.3
Presumption of sex, and other papers. O. F. Adams. 177.1 *Prince Dusty. A story of the oil regions. (Rail and water series.) Kirk Munroe. 6961.2
Psychology applied to the art of teaching. (Inter.
education series. ) Joseph Baldwin. 370.2
Psychology, Elementary, and education. (Inter. educa- tion series.) Joseph Baldwin.
150.1
Puritan in Holland, England and America, The. 2 v. Douglas Campbell. 285.1
Quaker girl of Nantucket, A. Mary C. Lee. 5923.1
Quality of mercy, The. W : D. Howells. 5180.2
Queen's necklace, The. Sequel to "Memoirs of a physician." Alexandre Dumas. .
3559.6
R.
Railroad transportation : its history and its laws. A. T. Hadley.
656.1
Recollections and letters. Ernest Renan. 7811.90
** Redskin and cow-boy. G : A. Henty. ·
4856.1
Res judicatæ. Papers and essays. Augustine Birrell.
1920.52
Revere, Colonel Paul, Life of. 2 v. E. H : Goss. 7836.90
Review of Reviews. V. 4. 1891-92.
R. R.
Ride to the lady, The, and other poems. Helen G.
Cone. 2961.40
*Rob : a story for boys. Harriet M. Lothrop [Mar- garet Sidney]. 6121.2
Roland Blake. S. W. Mitchell. 6784.1
Rose of a hundred leaves, A. Amelia E. Barr. 1709.1
· Roweny in Boston. Maria L. Pool. 7471.1
133
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
S.
Sabbath in Puritan New England, The. Alice M. Earle. 940.1
*St. George for England : a tale of Cressy and
Poitiers. G : A. Henty. 4856.6
St. Louis Mercantile Library. Catalogue of English
prose fiction. R. L. .
*St. Nicholas. V. 18. Part 2. 1891. 33.3
-V. 19. Part 1. 1891-92.
33.4
Salem Public Library. Fourth supplement to the
Finding-list. Oct., 1892. . R. L.
San Salvador. Mary A. Tincker. . · .
9073.1
Sane lunatic, A. Clara L. Burnham. 2345.3
*Scarlet tanager, The, and other bipeds. J : T. Trow-
bridge. 9144.4
Scientific American. V. 65, 66. 1891-92. R. L.
Scribner's Magazine. V. 10, 11. 1891-92. S. M.
Shadows of the stage. W : Winter.
1052.90
Siberia and the exile system. 2 v. G : Kennan.
91.34
Sidney, Sir Philip. (Heroes of the nations.) H:
R : F. Bourne. . ·
8431.90
Silver situation in the United States, The. F. W : Taussig. . 336.1
Smith, Henry Boynton. (Amer. religious leaders. ) L : F. Stearns. 8494.90
Some strange corners of our country. The wonder- land of the Southwest. C : F. Lummis. 963.2
Sovereigns and courts of Europe. [ Politikos.] 1029.91
Spanish-American republics, The. Theodore Child. 970.1
Spanish story of the Armada, The, and other essays. J. A. Froude. 4071.50
Spectator, The. 3 v. Addison and Steele. With
notes, etc., by H : Morley. 1221.50
Squire's daughter, The. A story for girls. Lucy C. Lillie. 5988.1
Squirrel Inn, The. F. R : Stockton. 8764.2
* Stories for boys. R: H. Davis. 3267.1
*Story of Dick. Gambier Parry. 7259.1
Story of Jane Austen's life, The. O. F. Adams. . 1580.90
134
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
Story of our continent. A reader in the geography and geology of North America. N. S. Shaler. 901.1
Story of the Iliad. A. J : Church. . 5083.40
Story of the Odyssey. A. J : Church. 5083.41
T.
Taking the Bastile ; or, six years later. Sequel to " The queen's necklace." Alexandre Dumas. 3559.7 · Talks about a fine art. Elizabeth Glover. 173.1
Talleyrand, Prince de, Memoirs of the. V. 3, 5. Ed. by Duc de Broglie. 1316.4
Taxation of women in Mass. ; Woman suffrage a right, not a privilege. W : I. Bowditch. Woman and the Commonwealth. G : Pellew. 3 pamphlets in one vol. . 396.1
Technique of rest, The. Anna C. Brackett. .
613.64
Tess of the D'Urbervilles. T: Hardy. 4630.1
That Frenchman ! A. C. Gunter.
4490.2
Three fates, The. F. M. Crawford.
3100.1
Three tales : The ghost; The brazen android ; The carpenter. W : D. O'Connor. 7116.1
Three Vassar girls in the Tyrol.
Elizabeth W.
Champney.
59.39
Travels amongst the great Andes of the Equator. 2 v.
E: Whymper. 976.1
Twelve English statesmen.
Pitt. Lord Rosebery. . 7413.90
Queen Elizabeth. E : S. Beesly.
3670.90
Two happy years in Ceylon. 2 v. Constance F. G. ·
Cumming.
92.11
Two worlds, and other poems. R: W. Gilder. 4238.40
U.
United States, A condensed school history of. W : Swinton. 915.1
United States and foreign powers. W : E. Curtis. 924.1 United States history, Harpers' popular cyclopædia of. 2 v. B. J : Lossing. R. L.
United States of America under the constitution, His- tory of. V. 5. James Schouler. 1207.21
135
BOOKS IN ROBBINS LIBRARY.
V.
Van Bibber and others. R: H. Davis. 3267.2
Vermont. A study of independence. (American
commonwealths.) R. E. Robinson. 944.1
Vesty of the Basins. Sarah P. McL. Greene. 6312.1
Viking age, The. 2 v. P. B. DuChaillu. 8.1
W.
Wear and tear; or, hints for the overworked. S. W. Mitchell. 613.61
West Roxbury sermons. 1837-48. Theodore Parker. 7247 50
What are the facts? Protection and Reciprocity illus- trated. F. W. Hewes and W : Mckinley, Jr.
337.1
*Wide Awake. GG. 1891.
34.6
-HH. 1891-92.
.
34.7
Winchester Public Library catalogue. 1892. Helen J. Hurd. R. L.
Window in Thrums, A. J. M. Barrie. 1712.2 .
Winthrop, John, first Governor of the Mass. Colony. (Makers of America.) J. H. Twichell. 9687.90 ·
With my friends. Tales told in partnership, J. B. Matthews and others. ·
6535.1
Woburn, Legends of. 1642-1892. P. L. Converse. . Woman of Shawmut, A. Romance of colonial times. E. J. Carpenter. 2500.1
950.2
World's best books, The. Frank Parsons, F. E. Craw- ford and H. T. Richardson. 028.1 Wrecker, The. R. L : Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne. 8740.1
Y.
* Young Idea. V. 4. 1891. Y. I. Young maids and old. Clara L. Burnham. 2345.2
Youth of the Duchess of Angoulême, The. (Famous women of the French court.) Imbert de Saint- Amand. 6410.90
* Youth's Companion. V. 64. 1891. R. L.
Z.
Zachary Phips. E. L. Bynner. 2392.1 *Zigzag journeys in Australia. Hezekiah Butterworth. 985.1
.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
To the Town of Arlington:
The School Committee submit their annual report.
The report of the Superintendent of Schools, approved and adopted by this Board, contains a detailed account of much of the work of the schools during the year. The present report will therefore be confined to a few topics. The two reports taken together will, it is hoped, give the town all necessary information as to the condition of the schools.
Superintendent of Schools.
The town at the last annual meeting voted to authorize this Board to appoint a Superintendent of Schools. After careful inquiry and investigation we chose to that office Mr. I. Freeman Hall, who entered upon his duties early in May. Mr. Hall was at that time superintendent in Natick and Belmont. By our arrangement with him he gives three days in the week to Arlington and two to Belmont. This plan has worked well in practice, as the schools of the two towns are enough to employ profitably the superintendent's time while the expense is divided in a fair proportion be- tween them. In Mr. Hall we have secured a superintendent of wide experience and of marked energy and ability, and we are already beginning to feel the benefits of placing our schools under his supervision, although, of course, the larger results will take time to work out. In his report herewith printed will be found an account in detail of his work. Speaking generally, the course of study is better arranged than it was, the schools are better organized so that the
137
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
time of scholars is more wisely used, improvements have been made in methods of teaching,- and in short the natural results of placing the schools under skilled super- vision are being wrought out.
The salary of the superintendent is somewhat larger than we estimated in our last report, which was based on the sup- position that we should require less of a superintendent's time than we have in fact found advisable. We are agreed however that money spent for this purpose is wisely em- ployed and is producing a decided benefit in the education of the children in our schools.
High School.
At the close of the school year Mr. Fisher resigned as principal of the school in order to engage in another occu- pation than teaching. Mr. Fisher during the nine years that he occupied the position proved himself a teacher of ability and enthusiasm with a deep interest in the school. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of Mr. Ira W. Holt, the principal of the Natick High School. Miss Sim- mons at the same time resigned her position in the school, to the deep regret of the Committee and of all who have been acquainted with the unusual value of her work. Miss Gooding who had acceptably acted as substitute during Miss Simmons' two years' absence was elected in her place.
The school opened in September with eighty-five scholars, the largest number it has ever had. The course of study was at the same time considerably changed. Book-keeping, German, Geology, Mental Philosophy have been added to the branches previously taught and there has been to a lim- ited extent a re-arrangement in the order of taking up studies and in the amount of time devoted to each. It was found possible to make these changes without seriously in- terfering with scholars already in the school, the new course having been arranged so as to conflict as little as possible with the requirements of the old course. As now arranged
138
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
there are four courses viz. : Two Years' Course, General Course, Academic Course and College Course.
Although more than ever hampered in its work by the insufficiency of the building, the school is in other respects in good condition, and with the near prospect of a new building, the outlook is promising for not only maintaining but extending its usefulness.
Changes of Teachers.
The changes at the High School have been already men- tioned. Miss Snelling, an efficient and valuable teacher, resigned her position at the Crosby School at the end of the school year. Miss Hattie A. Snell was appointed in her place. In May Miss Stella M. Grimes was appointed teacher of the fifth grade in the Russell School, a position which had been filled by substitute teachers since the resig- nation of Miss Fell at the end of the previous November. At the beginning of the new school year the increase in the first grade now comprising all the scholars in town of this grade - as explained in the Superintendent's report - necessitated its division. Mr. Freeman was placed in charge of one section and Miss Flanders,- formerly general assistant in the building - of the other. The sixth grade had to be divided also at this time between Miss Warren and Miss Fannie A. Manson. Miss Manson taught but one term, and Miss Ella J. Holmes has recently been appointed in her place. The number of scholars in the third primary grade was also too large for one teacher. Miss Margaret L. Martin was therefore made an assistant to Miss Day, and as soon as a room could be made ready in the Adams build- ing, in the middle of October, the class was divided, Miss Martin's division going to the Adams building.
At the Cutter School, one of the teachers was removed by death, Miss Brady's long illness reaching a fatal termination in May. In her the town has lost a good and faithful teacher, interested in her pupils' welfare and influencing
139
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
them for good. Her sister, Miss Rose Brady, who had been acting as her substitute, was appointed in her place.
Miss Carter, a teacher of experience and efficiency, resigned in April as teacher of the fourth and fifth grades at the Locke School, and Miss Margaret Oakes was chosen to the position. Miss Elizabeth Van Derveer was appointed in February as teacher of the eighth and ninth grades in place of Miss Blake who resigned at the end of the preceding term.
Buildings and Repairs.
The most important action of the town during the year was in relation to a new school building. The condition of the High School called more than ever for relief and the Russell building also had every room occupied and one class left over which had to be put in the Adams building. The town, at a meeting held September 29, appointed a building committee to report a definite plan for a new building. This committee brought before the town, at an adjourned meeting held November 14, a plan which met the unanimous ap- proval of the meeting. Comprising accommodations for high and upper grammar grades, the building will meet the needs of the schools and it may be confidently hoped that its completion will give opportunity for decided improve- ments in our school system.
At the Crosby School, the grounds have been properly graded and the plastering and blackboards repaired. This school-house is in fairly good condition for an old building. The growth of the east part of the town will, however, call before long for enlarged school accommodations.
At the Russell School, the smaller of the two boilers was found to have become so worn out and useless that it was removed during the spring vacation. Four new radiators were placed in the upper story in rooms and entries that were imperfectly heated. Except the addition of thirty new seats for the first grade no other alterations beside ordinary slight repairs have been made.
140
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
At the Locke School, the outhouses have been thoroughly repaired. New seats have been placed in Miss Evans' room.
As the Adams building had not been occupied by schools for many years considerable work in cleaning, painting, etc., had to be done to prepare a room for the primary school now established there.
No important repairs were necessary at the Cutter School. Considerable trouble and expense has been caused by the malicious breaking of windows in the building on several occasions.
The full report of the Superintendent of Schools makes it unnecessary to extend this report to greater length. The Committee believe that the changes introduced this year are for the good of the schools, and that the results will be found beneficial to the scholars and satisfactory to the town.
Approved by the Board.
JAMES P. PARMENTER, Chairman.
JANUARY, 1893.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Arlington :
GENTLEMEN : The first annual report which I have the honor of submitting to you covers only about seven months of service.
When I began work, May 15, 1892, I found 827 pupils attending the public schools of Arlington. They were accommodated in four buildings, as follows :
Cotting High School, Academy street, 55; Russell School, Grammar and Primary, Medford street, 395; Crosby School, Primary, Winter street, 98; Cutter School, Grammar and Primary, Arlington avenue, 137; Locke School, Grammar and Primary, Park avenue, 142.
In general the organization and grading seemed to be good, but a close examination of the situation showed that the Locke and Cutter schools were laboring under serious disadvantages. At the Locke School, Miss Copeland had three classes, grammar grades, studying a variety of sub- jects, in one room. It was necessary for her, counting five recitations for each class, to hear fifteen recitations every school day (five and a half hours). Although it was possi- ble occasionally to combine two classes for instruction, little time could be saved in this way, and there were cir- cumstances peculiar to the school which prevented any such adjustment. Miss Van Derveer's room, primary, was
142
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
crowded, making it impossible for her to give each pupil that individual attention which the youngest pupils should receive.
At the Cutter School the same conditions existed in the primary room, Miss DeBlois's, and similar conditions in the upper grammar grades, Mr. Soule's room, though he had smaller classes than Miss Copeland.
To remedy these defects it had been suggested that all the first class grammar pupils in town should be brought to the Russell School, where special attention could be given them by the principal and his assistant, and more interest awakened in home study and in advanced lines of work, preparatory to the High School course.
After a careful consideration of various plans, you de- cided, wisely, I think, to have the first grammar class attend school at the Russell building from 8 to 12.30 each day and . to so classify the Cutter and Locke Schools that no teacher in town should have more than two classes or be responsible for more than two years of work.
At the Russell School the crowded condition of the low- est primary room and the fifth and sixth grammar rooms suggested the necessity of forming two new classes by mak- ing parallel grades. Hence arrangements were made to open the unoccupied room, and to have two fourth grammar and two sixth grammar classes. When the fall term opened every room in the Russell building was occupied, and still the lowest primary class numbered 76 pupils. Arrange- ments were therefore made to give Miss Day an assistant, and one of the rooms in the Adams building was fitted up for the accommodation of the lowest division of her class.
These changes in the classification of the Russell School suggested the advisability of making a few more, to remedy certain defects in organization which were manifest to the superintendent soon after he began to inspect the schools. The average age of pupils in the upper grammar classes seemed high and a careful analysis of the facts showed plainly that it would be safe to make the plan of promotions
143
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
at the Russell School more flexible in order to give pupils who were ready to do extra work a fairer chance to cover the nine years' course in seven or eight years. Some change seemed necessary, so a decided change was made. Twelve pupils were promoted to the first grammar class, their places filled by special promotions from the class below, and so on through several classes, the basis of promotion in each case being special ability or faithfulness proven by the recitations and written examinations of the previous year. These changes, we believe, have been beneficial, not only to the pupils promoted but to all classes in the Russell build- ing. " The wall of partition," separating each class is not broken down but lowered at various points so that it may be more easily scaled at any time by pupils who are willing to work faithfully, diligently and persistently. It is our pur- pose to prepare for and make more special promotions next year. They encourage and stimulate individual effort and are an effective antidote for that "hard and fast," " cast iron " plan of classification which develops the mechanism of our educational system at the expense of the child's individ- uality. These are the only important changes which have been made in school organization during the past year.
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