1869-1870 School Committee Report

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i :. At all the examinations there have been a surprising number of mistakes in spelling. Candidates for admission to the High GENERAL REMARKS. School ought to be well qualified in this respect, as it cannot be In the brief survey of our schools, presented in the foregoing expected that much attention will be given, in the last .stages of pages, w. e have been able to notice many excellent features, education, to the simple rudiments. And those who enter upon which indicate a fair and commendable progress. When we active life, immediately after leaving our grammar, and district d schools, will never be likely to repair the loss, when they aban- remember the difficulties which most of our teachers have to contend,with, we cannot but.be generous in our criticism of their don their chool-boos. arduous labors. They. will doubtless agree with us that there The matter of reading also and pronunciation needs to be more are many things in our schools which are not- precisely as we critically taught.. . .should like them. The attendance is by no means as uniform as And it surely is not beyond the province of any teacher io it should be. The indolence of some scholars works in every detect and forbid anything like vulgarity of language, sdch as is way to their disadvantage. The dullness of others is a great too frequently learned by our ingenuous youth on the street, and we fear also among their school-fellows. Let the whale hindrance to the progress of the class. The physical weakness of some, incident often to rapid growth, cannot be disregarded tone and influence of every, school be set against this injurious in the requirements of a faithful teacher. The great difference habit. t .We trust that the Practice of singing will become in home training and parental example is sure to appear in the p b more general than it has been. If teachers will employ their own talent, and school-room. The unfortunate m4nners which are contracted by some of our youth out of school, do not yield at once to the rules bring into use what may be found among their pupils, they will soon find it a most agreeable and useful exercise 'in which all and suggestions even of the best of teachers. These and other b considerations must affect our Judgment of the operations of the should be expected to engage. . In behalf of the teachers, we beg leave to request more year. frequent visits from parents and friends. Let their interest in ' There are some deficiencies, however, which are seen in all •' . the schools, and which the special efforts.of the teachers may do the welfare of the children be manifest in a personal and friendly inspection of the schools. It would be a great encouragement much to remedy. The common errors in speaking and writing to the teachers who are often wearied as much from the want o our own language are so numerous as to lead to the reasonable f inquiry whether our schools are doing as much as they ought to l" apparent sympathy among the neighbors, as from the actual inculcate a knowledge of pure English. It does not need a very labor of the;school-room. critical ear.to detect the faults of speech which prevail so eaten- The buildings.are in a tolerably good condition; but they will need some outlay in paint and furniture and fencing. sively'among us. This must be owing partly to a Lack of careful If the four schools, which' are located in the outer districts, and thorough instruction at school. Our children are expected were provided with horse-sheds, many person to speak and write better than their parents, since, in many s,would doubtless eases, they have greater advantages. take occasion to visit them more frequently.