1867-1868 School Committee Report

Browse Search

8 g At the fall examination but two words were misspelled out of nearly two hundred words selected promiscuously from the spell- ing book and put to the different members of the several classes. THE HIGH SCHOOL, These flattering results' have been Obtained notwithstanding a Principals;—Mr. Loz ix L. DAME, (re-appointed March, 1867;) Mr. considerable irregularity in attendance caused by sickness. SOLOMON H.BRACKETT. Assistant.—Miss CLARA M. SIMONDS. Mr. Dame accepted our appointment with the reservation that he might leave us.in quest of a larger salary than we could offer. He remained in charge of the school only through the spring term. THE ADAMS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. His administration was always vigorous and beneficial to the Teachers.—Mr. T. D. BAUER; Mr. SILAS PEABODY. school. His executive ability was very great.: The influence of Before the close of the term ending March, 1867, we had re- the school on the pupils was at once strong and healthful. Mrs. appointed Mr. Armington teacher of this school. During the Dame continued to add to their interest in school affairs by assist- vacation following, he went to another town for a higher salary; ins at their musical exercises. and we were Obliged to_postpone the beginning of the spring Mr. Dame notified us of his resignation during the summer term one week, to obtain a new teacher. From four candidates vacation. who submitted themselves to examination, we selected Mr. We examined with care five applicants for the place thus Bauer, a teacher of considerable experience, and well quali- vacated, and selected .from them Mr. Brackett, a graduate of fled to instruct the pupils. But his ideas.of the best means of Harvard College, who gave us evidence of character, scholarship, assuming and maintaining the requisite control of the pupils and experience. He completed the year, teaching faithfully and under his charge, did not seem well adapted to his situation; and skilfully throughout. In some branches of natural science we he failed to secure the co-operation of many of the persons most think the instruction superior to what it had been before. In interested in the success of his labors. His school, like the Han- other respects the standard appears to have been well kept up. cock Grammar, stood in need of a more exacting discipline. We But the interest felt by the pupils in the school, waned to some so instructed the teacher. He tried the power of reason, and to extent. Among the reasons for this, we may mention that a some extent the use of force; but the latter.was distasteful to considerable number of pupils decided to withdraw, upon the him, and he resigned near the close of the fall term. ' resignation of Mr. Dame; and that some of the interesting We examined several applicants for the vacancy, from whom adjuncts to the literary exercises were dropped. We fear, how- we selected Mr. Peabody, a gentleman of much experience. He ever, that the pernicious idea that the place of a popular teacher soon dispelled all ideas of insubordination. It was not so easy cannot be supplied, influenced a few of the pupils to set their to break up habits of idleness and listlessness. Mr. Peabody faces against good order in a manner not altogether befitting wrought with zeal and patience to the end of the year. Much their position as members of this school. Certain it'is that the appears to have been accomplished in exact instruction. The opportunities of the place were not fully improved. Near the school has a bright prospect before it, if the pupils will devote close of the year Mr. Brackett signified his purpose not to be themselves with tenacity of purpose, in and out of school, to the re-appointed. best method of improving their whole time during their school Miss Simonds remained in this-school as Assistant till the end days. of the fall term, and with the same benefit to the school as during, the previous year. She then resigned her office, to seek a more lucrative position. Her fidelity during the whole period of her ill-requited service, seems to demand the expression of our 33