USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Essex county, N.J., illustrated > Part 12
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A full roster of the teachers in all the schools of the fifteen wards can be seen by a reference to the Board's annual report, copies of which can be obtained of the Clerk of the Board or any of its members. There is not a question of a doubt but that the efficiency of the city's public schools is equal to any in the United States. The school age is fixed by statue at from six to twenty-one years of age, although very few enjoy the privileges after they have passed the age of seventeen. The writer once asked a young lad of sixteen why he did not go to school. His reply was," Oh I'm too big." Of course he meant in stature. As a commentary on his answer, we should not
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CENTRAL AVENUE SCHOOL.
SUMMER AVENUE SCHOOL ..
hesitate to say, that some plan should be adopted by which young men and girls under twenty-one at least, should not think nor feel themselves too big for education getting. In the the night schools we find the glorious exception. In this grandly beneficent institution we often find both men and women striving to learn to read and write, some having passed the meridian of life. One of the most interesting occasions of our necessary school visitations, was met at a night school in Montclair, where we found a class numbering quite half a hundred of men and and women, undergoing instruction, some of them with hands so stiffened with age and hard labor that the handling of pen or pencil was an extremely difficult operation. Vet so strong was the motive for progress, and so bright was the goal to their vision of learning to read and write, they would laugh at their own clumsiness, and no mistake, however glaring, would act as a bar, or dampen their ardor, or cause them to flag for a single moment in their dogged perseverance. Could some of the youth who persistently refuse the advantages offered to secure the delightful boon of a good education. have been placed in the presence of some old colored man or woman who had wrought in the cotton fields or cooked the hog and hominy in the sunny South all the years of their early life, and were engaged in the arduous task, with clumsy fingers, of learning to write or learning to read, with mental faculties long since dulled by the avarice or brutish- ness of others, we doubt not it would act as a balm for his wounds and hkewise cure his desire for longer continued acts of truancy.
Such have been the advances made in the methods of instruction, that the child takes learning as it were by intuition. The Kintergarden, an exotic, to be sure transplanted from the German father- land, deals with the buds of our manhood and womanhood. Instead of the compulsory sitting on the hardest of benches and the wearisome dangling of tired little legs with the formal A B C ter die in- struction from the stern master and scientific handler of the birchen rod, and oaken rule, the little buds are taught to sing and play their lessons through,
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
and then they grow and grow and the time slips merrily away till as pupils growing on, they take their place in the primary grade, for all the public schools are graded; and thus the pupil is moved on and upward by regular steps. till ere he or she is thoroughly aware of the facts, the bud has grown on to be the unfolded leaf and bloom, and so easy seems the progress, the ripened fruit comes all too soon.
Manual training has come to stay, and is as much a part of the education of our youth when they themselves, or their parents so elect, as any other branch of education. Not only are the boys in the enjoyment of this privilege of laying the foundation upon which may easily be built the finished mechanic and artisan, but the young misses also privileged similarly in most respects, for they may learn to saw, plane, chisel, mortise and carve, and can learn to cook and sew. Besides what our youth may learn in the public school, the doors of the Technical School are thrown wide open to them through the generosity of the Newark City Board of Trade, this now famous and popular institution being an out- growth therefrom. There are many other schools, academies, etc., conducted by private parties in the county, and Parochial Schools under the 'patronage of the Episcopalian and Roman Catholic Churches. These are all in a flourishing condition, being under the care of capable and painstaking ladies and gentlemen, who are an honor to their calling. That the reader of ESSEX Corxrv, N. J., IL.LUS- TRATED, may have opportunity to study the size and construc- tion of our school houses, the characteristics and merits of the teachers employed, beautiful engravings of the mag- nificent structures devoted to school purposes will be found in its pages, with life-like photo likeness of many of the leading teachers and those who have adopted Pedagogy as their pro- fession, and have made teaching their life work, many of the latter taking rank with the best in the land. Besides the photos of teachers and engravings of school buildings, a short sketch of the several schools will be found accompanying each, to
ANN STREET SCHOOL.
which we trust they may refer in the always expected to-morrow, or the anticipated day of leisure, as a souvenir of their early school days.
That there will be a charm connected with this part of the work we have little doubt, since no effort or expense has been spared m securing the material and data necessary to make it the ideal of excellence, and the acme of truthfulness in this all important part.
FIFTEENTH AVENUE SCHOOL.
IIE Fifteenth Avenue School building was the thought, and T largely the result of Ex-School Commissioner John B. Oelkers. The building is noticeable for its architectural attrac- tiveness and desirable appointments for school work. It is a brick structure with terra cotta trimmings, spacious, with most approved heating and ventilating apparatus.
September 5, 1895, the doors of this build- ing were thrown open, and to the surprise of the Board of Education, the rooms were filled and the seating capacity found to be insuf- ficient. The large attendance demands addi- tional accommodations. As the enterprising section of our city surrounding the school building develops, this educational institu- tion will advance to the first rank of the New- ark Public Schools,
The Principal. W. Spader Willis, is a school man of wide experience, belonging to a family of educators, his father, Rev. Ralph Willis, and his brother HL. Brewster Willis, having had charge of the public school interests of Middlesex County for the past thirty years. The Principal was educated at Rutgers Col- lege. lle has held a number of school posi- tions. He was Principal of the Perth Amboy lligh School when called to Newark. The Fifteenth Avenue School is in a very promis- ing condition.
F
FIFTEENTH AVENUE SCHOOL.
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.
THE daily city Normal School was organized in 1879. For many years it had been maintained as a Saturday Normal School, holding its sessions every Saturday morning, and was attended by those already appointed as teachers and striving by this method to acquire some professional training, and was a most praiseworthy effort. It was felt by some of the friends of the public schools that better work could be done only as the result of more methodical and longer training, It was, accord- ingly, organized as a daily school in October, 1879, under the principalship of Miss Jane E. Johnson, with a class of thirty pupils, all graduates of the High School, and three teachers.
The curriculum was limited to mental and moral science. which were the only text-books in use. Its only library was a Webster's Dictionary, un- abridged, and a Geographical Gazetteer. Miss Johnson sup- plemented the curriculum by lectures upon English history and botany.
spend eight weeks in observation and practice teaching in the Training Department, under the supervision of well-trained teachers. In the senior year they spend the same time in the class-rooms of the grammar schools, observing and teaching in the daily work of the schools and under the skilled care and direction of the principal and his teachers. The results of this
THE NORMAL SCHOOL, MARKET STREET,
At the present time there are about seventy pupils and a corps of five teachers. The course has been extended to two years -a junior and a senior year. Pupils who seek admission must be graduates from our excellent High School, or must pass an equivalent examination, as a condition of admission. The course of study is strictly pro- fessional. Psychology. Logic, Civil Government, Political Economy and Pedagogy form a part of the curriculum. The academic branches are taught under the department of method, i. e., the better way of presenting and developing these subjects in the class-room to the pupils of the schools, Music, drawing and nat- ural science receive marked attention through the entire Lectures on the history of education-the theories and the great teachers of the world, are given every week.
A small but well chosen library of books of reference -a working library -has been gradu- ally accumulated. During the junior year the pupils
practice work is reported from each school and recorded. It is an important factor in their graduation.
The Normal School has advanced steadily since its organiza- tion, and has become a most important factor in our educa- tional system. Since April, 1894. it has been under the care of Principal Joseph Clark, who has been identified with our public schools for more than forty years.
Principal Joseph Clark was born in Syracuse, New York, of New England ancestry. He received his education in the Fayetteville Academy, an institution of considerable note in that part of the State. He came to Newark in the fall of 1848. In 1851 he was appointed as assistant teacher in the Lafayette Street Public School. In 1854 he was promoted to the prin- cipalship of the Lock Street (now Wickliffe) School, and in 1857 he was transferred to the Lafayette Street Public School.
During his long service in the schools of the city he has been closely identified with the interest of the Fifth Ward, and has been a prominent factor in the lives and character of a large number of those who are now our respected sind influential citizens. He has been prominently connected with the Sixth Presbyterian Church, and in the Sunday-school and Church has always taken a prominent place.
Among the many able and well-known citizens who have become identified with the educational interests of this city, those who know Principal Joseph Clark best, declare that a more genial companion, a truer friend or a larger hearted man is not within the circle of their acquaintance.
JOSEPH CLARK, PRINCIPAL.
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
HAMBURG PL. SCHOOL.
T HE school building which forms the illustration on this page was erected during the years 188t-2. It was opened for the reception of pupils April 10, 1882, although at that time the building was in an unfinished condition. Five classes were organized at once and the school placed under the care of Miss Emma F. Baldwin, as Vice-Pumcipal. In October, 1882, the building was com- pleted and the number of classes increased to eight, the full capacity of the house.
Fred. W. Fort became the Principal of the school on Nov. 8, 1882, At that time there were about 400 pupils in attend- ance. Four years later the billing was enlarged by the addition of six class-rooms. In Sept .. 1886, all the rooms were filled with lange-sized classes. The school has never suffered for lack of pupils. Year after year, portions of us territory have been assigned to other school districts. In 1890 the school authorities were obliged to take measures to furnish more accommodations for the locality in which this school is situated. In Sept .. 1892. Ann Street School was ready for the admission of pupils. This new build- ing contained right rooms, and in a very few months every seat was occupied.
When the term opened in Sept., 1895, Hamburg Place School was again crowded. More pupils than ever sought admission. By Jan. 1, 1896, four more rooms had been made ready, and when the winter term began these rooms were at once filled from the overflow pupils in the fourteen other classes.
The growth of the section of the city in which Hamburg Place School is situated has been very great during the last ten years, and this fact largely explains the demand for increased school facilities, The territory that furmshed about 400 pupils in 1882. required accommodations for about 1600 in 1895. and points out the reason why Hamburg Place School has become one of the largest Grammar schools in the city. The Principal of this school, Fred. W. Fort. was born in New Providence, N. J. Fle is a son of Jacob P. Fort, a Methodist preacher and for many years a well known member of the Newark
FALDERICK W. FORT.
HAMBURG PLACE SCHOOL.
Conference. His uncle, George F. Fort, was the Governor of the State of New Jersey in 1852. For a number of years, some member of the family has been prominent in either the social. religious or political history of the State.
Owing to the fact that his father never lived in any locality for more than two or three years, Mr. Fort received his early School instruction in several of the different towns and villages in the northern part of the State. At the age of fourteen, he entered Pennington Seminary, and after two years graduated from that institution prepared to enter college Mr. Fort found it necessary to take charge of a country school after graduating from the Seminary, in order to provide means for continuing his education. During a portion of this time he received "a dollar a day and boarded around."
In 1871, Mr Fort entered Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. After devoting two years to study he was obliged to leave college for a year, that he might by teaching secure the money needed to meet the expenses for the remainder of his college life. Returning to college, he was able to complete the course and graduate with the class of 1875. His scholarship was good while a student, and at graduation he received " Special Honor " in Chemistry,
Mr Fort has always been a great admirer of athletic sports. He was a member of the class " nine, " the class boat crew, and in 1875 belonged to the college crew and participated in the great Regatta on Saratoga Lake.
After graduating, Mr. Fort decided to enter the profession of teaching. Since that time he has been in charge of three differ- ent schools in this state. Two years were spent in Summit, six in Linden, and the balance of the time in charge of Hamburg Place School of Newark.
While at Summit he was largely instrumental in arousing the people of that beautiful town to the fact that a large and con- modious building was absolutely necessary. He acted as the Secretary of the several public meetings, and was much grati- tied when, by an almost unanimous voice, the people decided to erect the handsome building which is now the pride of that community. Mr. Fort has been Principal of Hamburg Place School for nearly fifteen years.
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED
THIRTEENTH AVE. SCHOOL.
T THE Thirteenth Avenue Public School is admittedly one of the largest and handsomest of the more modern buildings of Newark. The plot of ground upon which it stands is considered one of the most desirable locations in the city for a public school, and was secured by the Board of Education in 1887. The same year the erection of a building containing nine class- rooms was commenced. It was intended to have the house ready for occupancy Sept. 1, 1888, but owing to delays on the part of the builders it was not opened till Nov. 19th of that year. Within three years it was found necessary to enlarge the building in order to keep pace with the growth of the school, consequently in iSot, eight class-rooms were added, making seventeen in all.
THIRTEENTH AVENUE SCHOOL.
The building is of brick and contains the most modern sys- tems of heating and ventilation. Beside the regular class-rooms, wardrobes, etc., there are eight rooms for the accommodation of the teachers, a cozy and handsomely furnished office for the use of the principal, and large and commodious courts thorough- ly heated by steam and capable of accomodating the entire school at recess or intermission during stormy and cold weather. From roof to basement the building is a model of cleanliness and neatness and is a source of much pride and gratification to its patrons.
A plan is already on foot to acquire an adjoining plot of land with the intention of once more enlarging this great building, by an addition of from six to nine more class-rooms. Should this be accomplished, Thirteenth Avenue will be one of the largest school buildings in the State of New Jersey.
Albert B. Wilson is one of the youngest school principals of Newark. Ile was born at Bridgeport, Conn., in 1861, and at- tended the public schools of that city from his sixth to his fifteenth year, when he entered the Golden Hill Institute, then one of the best known private educational institutions in Con- necticut, After a four year's course here, he gradu- ated in 1880 and at once entered upon his work as a teacher, which he has followed ever since. In 1890 he complet- ed a course in the History and Phil - osophy of Educa- tion, at the Uni- versity of the City of New York.
ALBERT B. WILSON.
Mr. Wilson came to Newark in 1887, as Vice- Principal of the Chestnut Street School. He re-
mained here from Sept , 1887 to Nov., 1888, when he was asked to organize and open the new Thirteenth Avenue School. as its principal. This position he has now held for nine years and during that time has seen the school grow from 250 pupils with six teachers to over tooo pupils with seventeen teachers.
Mr. Wilson comes naturally by his love for his profession. both his father and mother being at one time teachers in New York and his father for over thirty years a principal in Bridge- port schools.
A visit to Thirteenth Avenue and an investigation of the building and school will well repay anyone interested in the educational system of our city.
Principal Wilson is one of Newark's most progressive edu- cators. He carries with him the warm affection of his pupils as well as the high regard of the people and the co-operation of the Board of Education, in advancing the educational interests of those entrusted to his kind care.
He is a very genial, pleasant and accomplished gentleman. a natural-born teacher, and the thorough discipline of the school and the rapid advancement of the pupils under his charge give testimony of our statements of him.
At the Thirteenth Avenue School he has the most hearty respect and co-operation of his teachers. The whole corps are deeply interested in, and very proud of their school. Thoroughness is the inspiration and the aim of the system, and the watch-word of the teachers, It is intended that the pupils shall know perfectly from root to branch, the subjects taught, and such is the discipline and efficiency of the system that even the dullard and the laggard cannot but choose to learn. In music, the Thirteenth Avenue School is unusually proficient.
Albert B, Wilson is an active reformer in the educational field. He seeks for a culture of all the faculties of body and mind, a man of great executive ability and an able and pro- gressive educator. To him has been imparted that peculiar gift of nature which is vouchsafed to few ; that is, the faculty of inspiring others with the belief when teaching that he not only has a perfect knowlege of what he teaches but knows just how to impart it to others.
It is just such a school as the Thirteenth Avenue School is. through Mr. Wilson's efforts, which has given the City of Newark its advanced place as an educational centre.
The accompanying cut is a perfect and life-like photo of Prof. Albert B. Wilson.
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
BURNET ST. SCHOOL,
W HICH is delightfully lo- cated on Burnet street. between Orange and James streets, was first opened on Sep- tember 6, 1869, and with the close of the present school year it will complete its 28th year. The building originally con- tained fourteen rooms, but two new rooms were completed in April, 1892. The sixteen rooms are on one floor, and in this re- spect the building differs from all others in the city. Under the class-rooms are four large and well-lighted play-courts. cloak-room. boiler-room and the principal's office. Adjacent to each court is a yard. and in front of the building, on Burnet street, is a large, well-kept campus, of which the pupils and teachers are justly proud. In the centre of the yard is a flag-pole, erected on Decoration Day, 1889, at a cost of 890. raised by entertainment. commodious, well-appointed Teachers' Room was completed in March, 1896.
The school has had only two principals-William A. Breckenridge, who resigned in 1886 and is now living in Palmer, Mass., and Win. E. Bissell. the present principal, who will this year complete his eleventh year in the school. To Mr. Brecken- ridge's untiring efforts during many years of service the school owes much of its efficiency as one of the links in our important system of instruction. Mr. Breckenridge was identified with the schools of Newark long before he was called to the princi- palship of the Burnet Street School, and spent more than thirty years in the city.
When Mr. Breckenridge resigned in 1886, there were more than fifty applicants for the position. Among the number was Mr. Bissell, the present principal, who for nine years had been in charge of the de- partment of mathe- matics in the Rut- gers College Pre- paratory School, New Brunswick, N. J., succeeding the late Prof. Alexander Johnston, of Prince- ton College, as prin- cipal of the school, in 1879. Mr. Bis- sell was graduated from the New Jer- sey Normal School with honor in 1876, and in 1881 he re- ceived the honorary degree of A. B. from Rutgers Col- lege in recognition WM. A. BRECKENRIDGE. of valuable services.
BURNET STREET SCHOOL.
Since Mr. Bissell came to Newark he has spared neither time nor effort to place the school under his charge in the very best condition possible. The discipline is characterized by persistent firmness always tempered with wise diplomacy, and suspensions occur only when necessary for the good of the majority. In the lower hall off the Grammar boys' play-court, hangs the only rule which they are expected to observe-" Let's all be gentlemen." The standard of scholarship is high enough to make the securing of special honors a positive credit to faithful pupils. Principal Bissell firmly believes that the present system of marking is one of the best ever devised, if properly used. He is also heartily in favor of the honorary system, but believes that it will work incalculable harm if not used with great dis- cretion. Since the honorary system went into effect in 1888, Burnet Street School has sent, upon an average, one-third of its sixty-five or seventy graduates to the High School each year as " honorary" pupils. According to reports received from the Principal of the High School. very few of these pupils fail to sus- tain a " fair " stand- ing, and a goodly number continue to do "honorary" work. Such results prove conclusively the wisdom of maintaining a high standard. In Bur- net Street School. the marks placed WM. E. BISSELL. upon the pupil's
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
monthly cards always represent accomplishment-not intention. The marks are not given simply to fill up certain spaces on the cards, nor to please parents ; but they are given as reliable statements of what the pupils have done. Any other record is considered a gross fraud practiced upon parents and pupils.
In Sept., 1894, the teachers of the Grammar depart- ment suggested to Principal Bissell the advisability of organizing among the pupils a society whose object should be two-fold, first, the exaltation of gentlemanly and ladylike conduct ; second, the suitable rewarding of such conduct through entertainments of an educa- tive nature held at stated periods. Mr. Bissell heartily " seconded the motion," and the result was the estab- ment of the " Loyal League." Many names were pro- posed for the new organization, but none seemed so suitable as the one chosen, conveying, as it does, the meaning of the society's motto-" He conquers who overcomes himself." The membership badge is a ribbon with the word "Loyalty" stamped upon it in silver letters. The 8th year colors are two shades of purple ; 7th year, two shades of yellow ; 6th year, two shades of red ; 5th year, two shades of blue. Each grade has four members upon the committee, and these, with the teachers, wear white badges.
The condition of membership is very simple. Any pupil who is rated " excellent " or " good" in deportment for any month is a member of the Loyal League during the month immediately following. The precentage of membership is always large.
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