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Ann Arbor Public Schools

Ann Arbor Public Schools image
Parent Issue
Day
8
Month
September
Year
1876
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Gkntlemen - Horewith I submit for ■our consideration niy Sixth Annual loport of the schools under your charge. The general statistics ftro in accordaiioo with the forin reoently adopted by he associatloQ of City Kuporintendents. Jome usoloss items liave been omitted, niportant ones on the oost of educution added, and the whole bas been inuch BÍmplified. .. Population of the district, eBtimated, 7,985 2. No. of children betweeu 5 aud 20 yoars of age, 2,457 3. Cash valuation of school property, $135,000 4. A8aessed valuation of district property, - - - 1,449,020 5. Cost of superintendence and inatruction, .... 18,213 5. Atnount paid Superintendent, 2,00C 7. Amount paid special teachers, - l,50C 5. Cost of incideutals, - - - 4,809.00 9. Amount paid for bonds and interest 2,320.00 10. Amount paid for permanent improvements and buildings, 3,053. 2L ■)noraWB(Iaa S5S0oPS5Sin'"S SSSgJ rs[ooqog gSSSSS íjeog gjjc pAi itoi ""3 " S i'Ji'.w 'i i.i !.i I -i 3SSl 2 5 S í I pjK.tt 'lM""d I 3kSSSS3 " S 2 piuAV pjix I S S S SSS " S 2 piA. Pioasgggg2 " í - - 03 =■=■' .1 -á -i a..ti...ui.. .1 fi ijk] I 'fiHJJigigljS i íiilllsü! i ! lui íí tn , L J , J JOÍJ í Ward Schools include first Uve grades. Tf Urammar Deparuueut includes the S'th, sev entn; aud dghth grades. 25. Balance 011 band from last year, 1,858.5 26. Amount received from piimary school fuiuts, ... 1,239.5( 27. Amount received from local taxaation, ( two-mill tax, 2,898.0' I voted on property, 17,920.0 28. Amount luceived ( non-residents, 3,301-7 from tuition, ( residente, 796.5 29. Amount received from eH other sources, ... 61.8 30. Total receipts, - 28,072.2 A COMPARATIVE TABLE, Coveriug nine years of the most iru portaut statistics of the public schools I i? S I t I - P 'iJ I II 1867-8, 1,999 1,230 92 121 $1,95 18Ö8-9, 1,869 1,201 93 125 1,67 1809-70, I,8ü4 1,182 94 135 2,02 1870-1, 1,749 1.182 94 148 1,80 1871-2, 1,840 1,206 95 166 2,77 1872-3, 1,788 1,200 95 1-2 200 3,33 1873-4, 1,770 1,254 95 225 3,89 1874-5, 1,794 1,281 95 3-4 246 4,02 1875-6, 1,768 1,298 95 246 4,10 The above statistics show but little variation from last year. The per cent. of attendance is a trine lowor, caused by an epidemie whioh prevailed in nearly all tüe Ward schools during the winter term. Soveral rooms at times were reduced more than half, and one in the Second ward was, for a few days, discontinued. Tardiness, as a whole, has been improved, but some of the schools, in this respect, still fail to make very creditablo history. Our rulos very justly make "habitual tnrdiness" an otfunso sufnciently grave to warrant suspension, a fact. which, I fear, has not been properly emphasized in all the schools, and the respon8ibility must be shared alike by teachers, pupils and parents. Average human nature shirks drudgories and details, and noeds frequent winding up, and in no place more so than in the monotonous routine work of the school. Laxity in school management, though it often finds favor, is destructivo of all the proper ends of school work. Both in government and attendance, thosü schools are accomplishing most, doing most for the mental growth and moial integrity of our children, other things heing equal, in which the reins are drawn tighteat, the discipline is most exacting. Such being the case a considérate paront will serionsly pondor before condemning an act of discipline as uniust and arbitrary. And I may here properly add thal the very general, hearty co-operation ol our patrons in maintaining the good order of our schools tnints high oomnmndation. We havo 37 cases of corporal puniahment to report. Last year 40. The per cent. of attondanct), as given in tem 15, is undoubtedly too large, ug it is in most of our public schools. It comes froni the laudable rivalry ol teachers and is reached by koepiug the numbor bulonging down to tho lowest possiblo limita. In ordor to maku this item of real valuu in comparing stutistics, the Superintendeuts' Asaociation at its last meeting agreed upon a duiiuition of school memborship. A pupil's membeiship continuos until torminated by ono of the following causes : 1, doath ; 2, withdrawal on notice ; 3, suspension or expulsión ; 4, transfer to another school or dopartment iu the same system ; 5, absence of six cousocutive half days. In making future reports, teachers will be instructud to obsurve the abovo rule. Our roll of honor, consisting of such as havo been perfect in attendance during tho yuar, is creditably large, as follows : Hioh School- Edwin H. Lyoii, L. R Hunter, O. J. Beynick, J. G. Schurtz, Asa Whijijle, Josio Armstrong, Debo McDonald, Hattie [todor, Mattio Tonney, Gertrude Price. For tuto years - Mary E. Hiscock. For Ihree year - Murían Thatcher. Gbammae School- Ida M. Cook, Ei nest Uhaae, Kdword lloxars, Fred. Morton, Flora SchunuicUur, Otis Cramptou, Uluistiuo Uerstïor, Junnie Shadford, I-Man: Dygort, Charles 'iiíjií. For wo years - Elida Lovojoy, Wilho 'rice, Lottio Otltey. For ihree Years- Adellu Whcalar. Fiiíst Wabd Sonoor,- Louise Meinderman, Charles D. Higley, HiUnd Thatcher, Frauk Millor, Eddie Uttley. For two years - Ada S. Upaon. SbOONTJ Wied School- Libbie Mogk, Mary Cubler, Uaroliuc Kim, Wilho Grove, Amandii leyer, Lydia üreeuo, Bertha Kubier, Auna jutz, Mury Schaoberle, Herman Kim, Emma vutnner. Tiiibd Wabd School- Emma Armstrong, ieorfiü Armstrong, Jennie Beutley. Foubth Waru School- None. Fiftii Wabd School- Kojo Dreschor, Katie 3. Lovejoy. In additiou to those wo havo : Not absent or tardy for two torras, 91 Not absent or tardy toi oue term, 211 Following horo are given the branch8 taught and the numbur of pupila iu ach, bclow the High School : Boys. Girls. Total. leading and spelling, - 765 719 1484 Vritiug, - - ib 410 893 Object L08SOUS, - - 144 1.00 294 Mumbeni, ... 30!) 298 607 inging, - - - 617 iitl 100'J Geography, - -- 347 347 694 ''roo-IIand Drawiug, - 'Aói 3'Jó 750 )ral Language, - - 144 150 294 Anthmetic, - - 428 iT.i 001 'rimary Botany, - - Kil 171 338 CrltAJIM.Ul DEPA.RTMENT EXOLÜSIVKLY. Jook-Keoping, - 50 37 87 Snglish Orammar, - 154 143 297 ïistory, United Statos, - 38 45 83 ilemeutary Chemistry, - :i7 40 77 ilementary Physics, - 30 40 70 Jivil Uovoruraeut, - 31 36 67 rawing, - - - 76 62 138 Tho priinary school work iu general ïas beeu well douo. Difforenoes iu tho arogross of sohouls are apparent, owing uuiuly to differonces of skill ia teachers. We do not sufiioiently recognize sho valuo of Buporior skill in our primaiy teachers. In no part of the whole coursO is fitness for the spocial work in hand so essential, and at the saine time, 80 iliüicult to obtain. How to employ the Httle ones is a constant quostiou with every earnest priraary teaoher. As a partial answor, we have, in the First ward, experiinentod a little with Kindergarten material. Although froin tho large number of pupils in tho room, the scope oi the attempt has been quite limited, yet enough has boon done to demónstrate the adaptatiou of the methods to our primary grades and undor favorable condition8, the advisability of employinar them moro largoly. Free-Hand Drawing has been oontinued in grados 3 to 6, inclusive, with some satisfactory rosults. Tho olassos have been mainly employed in developing figures and ornamental forms from skeleton modela farnished by the specia teachor. During the last weeks of tho year some of the classes were set to de signing pattorn8 and practical docorations. Some of tho pioces producec possessod no littlo beauty, evincing considerable tnst.o and ingonuity. The more advanced classes will be occupiec next year with tho principios of prac tioal design in detail, and perhaps ad ancesoruewhatinto Perspective. Drawing, as a faotor of education, is everywhere being more and more rcoognized The thing of most vital importance to ub now, is to see that whatever system of Drawing we may adopt, shall be a development of ackuowlodged prin ciples of truo Art, and that the methods pursned shall lay a sound basis for more advanued and severer work. Elomentary Chemistry and Physics Book-Keeping and Civil Governmen have again domonstrated tho pro priety of their place in the Grainma School course ; tho olasses in thom have boen the very best in the depart ment. The management and general succes of tho Grammar Department should bo a constant sourco of satisfaction to those of onr citizens espocially who are inter eated in it as patrons. The largo, woll drilled olasses it annually hands over to the High School attest its excellen tone and efficiency. A class of 62 were examined for ad mis8ion to the High School, of whom 5o woro passod ; 7 more than last year. Those rising abovo 95 per cent. in the last examination were Alice Cummins Sara Clark, Mabel Glazier, Lulu Gott Mary Mann, Annie Taylor, Kmil Tenny Frank Wagnor. Of theso, Lulu Got and Anna Taylor averaged 95 por cent for all the exaniinations of the year. HIGH SCHOOL. The footings of the yoar in this de partment aro full of satisfaction ane encouragement. The attendance wa about the samo as the precoding year with an increase in tuitiou receipts o $72. The total receipts amouuted to $4,101. Of the 380 pupils enro'led, moro than half wero non-residents; thuir average age was 17.9 years, and G5 of them were over 20 yoars of age. Soventy-two were in tho fourth year, or Senior class The quantity and kind of work done in the department may be upproximtite ly reached in tho folio win g tahle. Study. Boys. Girls. Total Greek, - - - 56 9 6i Latin, - - - 113 40 150 Grecian History, - - 34 ö 40 I; iinn History, - - 16 ü 2 General and Ü. S. History, 38 27 6Physiology, - - 7 17 24 Zoology, - - 27 23 60 Physical Goography, - 31 22 ó; Political and Descriptivo Geog. 34 2S) 6 Geology, - - 9 7 lb Aritlmiutic, - 68 3:i 9 Enghsh Grammar, - 46 62 91 Word Analysis, - - 23 22 4. Compositiou, - - 41 39 8i French, - - - 42 31 7; Germán, - - - 12 14 'il Algebra, - - - 213 91 304 Geometry, - - 84 29 113 Natural Pliilosophy, - 36 18 6' Chemistry, - - 2 8 II Geometrical Drawmg, - 14 0 1Astronomy, - - 0 1-3 1; Botauy, - - - 40 35 7o Rhetoric, - - - 14 16 30 Punctuation, - 39 6 45 Engliah Literatuie, 8 14 22 liitellectual Pliilosopliy, - 0 9 9 Book-Keeping - 4G 12 6i Commercial Law - 19 7 2( Headiiig, - - - 29 24 63 It will bo seen that tho departmont is in reality an academie school, comparing favorably in sizo with the largest schools for socondary instruction in tho country. But lurge numbers should not be of chief importance to us. Our greatost pride is to make it a school of thorough iustruction and high scholaiship. Tho character and special fitness of tho teachers for their sevurul positions insure the former, while our indepeudence of tuitiou receipts euable us more oaaily than aoademies to exact tho latter. It would be gratifying to be able to exhibit moro spacious school rooms, bettpr furnituro, librarius and apparattu, and yet, whatever theso might be, thoy must in evury good school bo subordínate to excellence in class-room work. Not the mnleriel but the teacher represent wuatever is excellent in any good school. Tbeso, we havo triod to mako controling principies in the organization and operation of the High School. The prepuratory work done in tho dopartrnent so largoly predomínate as to necessitate an exoossive drill upon fundamental principies and furtus. The tendoncy is to mako toaching dry and juicoless, if not uselesa. Bat our teachers believe in culturo along with drill, and in all class work there is so inuch application of principies, comparison of f tiet and thoory, and con8ideration of kindred topics, that if any of our pupils are obligod to close their studontship with our diploma, we beliovo they will bo found as fit for the duties of lifo as graduates froui any othor school of liko grade. As our ielations with the University continue, our preparatory work becomos moro settled and easy of acconiplishment. The Laboratory, by excellent management, is coii8tantly enlarging both in capacity and usefulness. Hotne new and valuablo apparatus has just boen added. The Commercial Department has this yoaï taken relativuly a stronger position in the school than over beforo. Tho High School is doing a noble work, and as a community, with the most practical oyo to our reputatiou and business interests, weshould hold it high in our osteoin and mote out to it a generous treatment. The graduating exercisoa of the senior class, held June 23, in tho school chapel, wero usually intorostiug and happy. Seventoon essays and orations, intersperBed with music, woro followed by tho presontation of 06 diplomas distributed as follows : Classical Qïourse, l!) Latin Course, - - - - 12 Scieutific CoursO, - iii English Couree, 6 Commercial Courso 13 Sevoral others are preparing for thoir final examinations and will be candidates for graduatiou in the Kuil. Out of these, 45 expoctod to entor ;he University next year. I rogret the occasion of saying that ;he departmont'this yoar loses its wor;hy Principal, who rosigns to enter a liighor field of labor. It is but justice to Bay that the reputation of tho school has been largoly made by the superior maiiagoinout and iu8tructien of Mr. Douimon, and that his loss is deeply folt by his pupils and associftto teachers. I ara glad to add here tho confident assurance thtit our nnw Principal, Mr. J. Q. Pattengill, will carry forward the departmont with uil its wonted prosperity. Tho teachers for tho coming year are as follows : W, S. Pkkry, Superintendent. HIOH SCHOOL. .T. G. Pattengill, Principal, Latin and Gresk II. N. Cliute, Highor Muthomutics aml Physics Lucy A. Chittenden, Germán and Highor Euglish Anna E. P. Eastmnn, Natural Science aud Matheruatics Sarah W. Peuso, French B.-B. Nichols, Commercial Dopartmciit Ellen Regal, Assistant in I.atin Adelino A. Ladd, History and English QBAMMAB SCHOOL. Sallio A. Crane, Principal, Eighth Grade Abbio A. Pond, Seventh Grado Clara L. Conover, Sixth and Seventh Grados Addio H. Morey, Sixth Ararte KI ia La' ld, Aasistant Addie Sinith, " FIBST WABD. Ruthetto E. Korr, Piincipal, Fourth aud Fifth Grades Flora I. Huil, Third Grado Einily J. Eldridge, Secoud Grado Maggio McDivitt, Firat Grade 8EC0ND WABD. Mary Mulholland, Principal, Fourth and Fifth Grades Frank R. Lamed, Third Grade Celia Banister, Second _ rado Susie Spoor, First Grade TUIBD WAUI). Lizzie Principal, Foiirth and Fifth Grados Carne E. Cann-ell, Second and Third Grades Mary L. ilartyn, Fitst Grado FOUETH WAr.D. Eliza Botsford, Principal, Fourth and Fifth Grade3 Fanny H. Kollogg, Third Grado C. A. Sager, Seconil Grade Hattie L. Taylor, First Grade FIFl'H WAED. Marian Brown, Principal, Third, Fourth and Fifth Grados Maria Vail, Firat aud Second Grades SPECIAL TEACHKBS. B. E. Nichols, Penmanship Alvin Wilsey, Music Doley O'Hara, Drawing 8CU00L ACC01IJIODATION8. The want of ampler accoinmodations for the High School prosses upon us more and more. Tho Laboratory is much confined, barely affording store room for our present supply of apparatus, and some of tho recitation rooms have no more than half the spaoe that the needs of the large classes using them demand. Instead of half, three-fourths of the Central Building could be usod to good advantage by the High-School. This effect might be reached by placing all or a portion of the 6th grade in somo of the unoccupied rooms of the Fourth ward building, - a plan to which there ought to be no serious objections. Some portions of each year the Second ward school is overcrowded. During the last term, as a temporary expedient, primary clasB of thirty pupila was divided and each section permitted to attend school only half of each day. The Third ward building is not filled to its capacity, and a readjustment of the boundary lino that would place it aearor the Second ward building would seem to bo a happy and roasouablo remedy. We havo an abundance of school room in the city for our present necessities, but tho driftings of population have rendered soiue of it unavailable or nearly so. Tho greatly iinproved systom of heating and ventilating the High School building, just introdnced, deserves a passing mention as well as tho gratitude of mauy teaohers and pupils. rrT?.TCTTT.VWTA T. As an item of the year's work, the contribution we made to the educational exhibit of our State at Philadelphia inay be properly here mentioned It consisted of a handsomely bouud volume of 1140 pages, containing a briel history and description of our schoo system, ita organization, oourses of study &O„ photographs and cuts of buildings and examination papers of ten classes taken from the óth to the 12th grades inclusive. Theso papers conetituted the main bulk of the volume, and, as far as we conld raako them, were a fair representation of the actual work in the schools. The preparation of the papers was fouud to be profitable both to classes and teachers, and suggeated the propriety of similir work hereafter for homo representaron of school work. As a whole the schools have had a year of great prosperity, the various classes in their progresa over the course of study have reaehed the maximum of requirement and now look forward with new hope and courage to the toils aud rewaris of another year. I would here, in closing, express the doop satisfactiou of all our teachers at the ploaurable relations they hold with the Board, and tho earnest purj)ose to mfike tho8e relations contribute to the proHpority of tho schools. Kuspectlully submitted, W. S. PERRY, Supt. Ann Ardor, Aug. 20, 1876.

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Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus