Ann Arbor Public Schools

To the Board of Education of the City of Ann Arbor: Gentlemen- I have the honor herewith to present to you my eighteenth annual report of the public schools of this city. The practical working of the school system, so far as the usual statistics are concerned, may be seen in the following table: Items. "gil ts o L S Enrollment, transfers 1 Boys 341 306 407; 1054 fvirarntSa6. SS Së SS.iS Per ceïit of attendance 97.26 97.13 95.9 96.69 No. ofnon-residenta 280 36 81 347 No. ef men teachem 6 1 7 No. of women teachers 6 14 id o No. of special teachers J Average No. of daysattendanee of each pupil 148 160 148 152 No. of pupila toeach teacher 38 37 89 37 Costper capita for tuition._ 24.80 13.75 10.60 15.70 Costpercapitaforincider.tr 3.78 3.78 3.78 S.78 Totai'cöët'percapiia:""".:."": 19.53 U. 3817.53 28.58 In the above table the "coat per capita" is calculated upon "average nutnber belonging," instead of total enrollment. The enrollnient within the age limits usually called for by the National Bureau of Education was as follows : Number under 6 years of age 68 Numberbetween6andl6yearsofege 1373 Number over 16 years of age 525 Total I966 Any one who will take the trouble to compare the items in the above table with those of last year's report will be struck with the cloeeness of the correspondence in the numbers. The number of those who have maintained a perfect attendance (not absent or tardy) during the whole year is respectably large. Their names are as follows: HIGH SCHOOL. Jessie Allmand, Edward Burchfield, Nina Davison, Ora Hatch, Winnifred Orr, Viola Pettys, Susan Palmer, Wm. R. Eice, Robert Staebler, Edward Wapes, Bird Williams. For two yeart, Sophia East. EIGHTH GRADE - CENTRAL BUILDING. Daisy M. Earle, Theresa A. Grube, Omar G. Hall, Henry A. Kurtz, Bertha E.Muehlig.Benj.E.O'Neil.Wm.Stevens, Bessie B. StevenB, Ernest H. Tolchard. For nine ycars, Bertha Rose. FIRST WARD SCHOOL. Minnie Ainsden, Anna James, Osear Luick, Eddie Muehlig, Eva Niles, Ella Pomeroy, Mattie Slater, Louise Weinmin. SECOND WARD SCHOOL. Clara Brose, Pauline Huhn, Herman Huhn, Louis Markham, Albert Staebler, Gustave Seegar, Cari Schneider, Amander Schneider, Emtna Tesmer, Emma Weitbrecht, Wm. Wijsand. For two years- Clara Kurtz, Alice Staebler, Mary Walker. For three yeart- Julia Mayer. THIRD WARD SCHOOL. Edith Judson, Fred Judson, Addie PolhemuB, Eddie Polhemus, Annie Bhannon. For two year - Victor Wurster. FOURTH WAKD SCHOOL. Victor Kaufmann, John Parker, John Rauf. FIFTH WAKD SCHOOL. August Dorem, George Felch, Stella Godkin, Elsie Nichols. For two yean- Sara Felch. TArPAN SCHOOL. Mary Dett, Donnie Stark. The attendance in the second, fourth and fifth wards was considerably j rupted by sickness during the winter. The second ward was closed for two weeks before the holidays; but to the credit of the teachers, the succeeding examinations there were of excellent character. The results of the examinations in June for promotion in the grammar and primary grades, were fairly satisfactory, although the effects of the broken attendance for the past two years were clearly discernible. 973 pupils were examined and 828 promoted. These 828 promoted include only those whose scholarship is not in doubt, and whose promotion is provided for by the rules. Numerous other cases will be acted upon by the concurrent judgment of teacher and superintendent, and where probabilities are favorable, will be given a promotion temporarily, "on trial." A fair percentage of such pupils always succeed. Another class of pupils is composed of those that stand well in most of the studies, but utterly break down in some one branch. To bridge over a temporary disaster of this sort, and to permit a retesting of the child's powers, such pupils are often allowed to recite different studies in different grades. In a system of graded schools where scholarship is the essentialrequirement for classification, in order to meet the necessities of pupils that wholly or partially fall out by the way, we believe the admini8tration ought to be as flexible as possible, consistent with the general good, and a due respect to the requirements of the couise of study. We should also remember that none of our pupils, however inappreciative and neglectful of school opportunities, are hardened crimináis, but are susceptible to good influences and personal interest; and that past derelictions and squandering of time should not be a bar to future efforts for education if made in good faith. Often the lowest 6tratutn needs the most kindly attention. The most vital questions of education usually emanate from the bottom or top of the curriculum. Here is one of them. KINDERGARTEN. Kindergarten methods are experiencing a healthy revival in many of the better class of schools in our state. Kindergarten schools for children below the school line have long been maintained in most of the large cities, but it is only of very recent date that these methods have been successfully employed in the primary grades of the public school. While the most of our primary teachers have, for some years, used modified Kindergarten mathods, and more of its spirit, it seems clear to me that a considerable extensión of this form of teaching will be another step forward in our attempts to meet the peculiar needs of childhood in the first years of school-life. It is no new doctrine, that the best teaching in our schools should be done in the primary grades, where material is plastic, where the quality and fiber of character are most frequently determined, where the mental activities can be most easily turned to any wellordered purpose. Wben we consider that, not many years ago, our children began their education by struggling to remember the letters of the alphabet, and that no provisión was made for the cultivation of their faculties of perception and imagination, we may well conclude that the field of primary education is, by no means, yet fully explored. But it is certainly our duty to aee that whatever advances are being made [Contimitd on eixth page.] Continuecl from fourth page. should innre to the benefit of our children. Apparently our present opportunity is to bring the methods of our primarv grades more fully into harmony with Kindergarten forms and spirit; a spirit which is characterized more distinctly than that of any other part of the teaching service in our country by the love of childhood. At this point it is fortúnate for us that one of our primary teachers has been able to take a special course of instructioli during the vacation, under so gifted au exponent of the Kindergarten as Miss Matilda H. Ross. We expect that all our primary schools will reap the benefit of her advantages. Our primary teachers are eager to do this work, and are ready to make any reasonable sacrifice in its betaalf. The encouragement which the Board are affording, we think, will enable us to carry forward our purpose successfully. We shall need, occasionally, a small appropriation for material and conveniences, peculiar to the nature of the instrnction, and we are sure the Board will be glad to make it. PEDAGOGY. Kindred to this subject it will be in order to say that these Kindergarten methods, like all other good methods of teaching, are based upon well-determined laws of mental growth. ïhis admitted, some knowledge of the mental economy, psychological phenomena, and the science of education, growing t therefrom. oueht to be the first qualification of every one who would presume upon the teacher's office and repponsibüity. Disregard of such a preparation seems a trifling with the making of character. There is not another profession in the pale of society that would be toleratad in ignoring the fundamental principies of its practice. Popular opinión on this point is changing for the better, but it is still far too ïenient However well a teacher rnay do his work, with no knowledge of educational psychology, he would certainly be a better teacher with it. A man may handle an engine without knowing much about its mechanism, but he cannot be called a master workman. These remarks are made in the hope of calling the attention of our teachers, and the community, to a subject that is vital to the highest success of our schools, and yet that is likely to be unAerestimated, if not entirely ignored. The matter of meeting the requirements of the present statute in regard to teaching the effects of alcohol and nareotícs, has caused us considerable perplexity in adjusting this additional wort to our scheme of studies. The necessity, under the terms of the law, ef nsiug a text-book and providing for daily recitations, means for us a displacement of established branches, or an oven-rowding of the course of study. We cloye the former by putting Kellog's "First Book in Physiology and Hygiëne" into the fifth grade, ana "Hygiëne for Young People " into the eighth grade, during the Spring term. The work accomplished was very satisfactory in both grades. The observance of a "Children'sDay" on June lOth, when 1,400 pupils of the Frimary and Grammar departments, and the Catholic school, under the inspiration of banners, bands of music, and admiring crowds, marched in excellent order through the principal streets of the city to University Hall, for an hour's entertainment of good speaking and fine music, proved to be a very successful execution of a happy cooception. Unless the many indications of public opinión concerning the affair are quite misleading, "Children's Day" may well be given a permanent place in the school calendar of our city. A class of fair average quality, numbering 66 or 70, will enter the High School from the Grammar Department. HIGH SCHOOL. The High School passed the year with all the evidences of increasing prosperity. The reputation of the school, as indicated by the catalogue, extends over nearly all the states west of Lake Ene, and, indeed, some of the more easterly states might fairly be included. The enrollment for the year was 580. The following table will show the range of its work the past, year: Studies. Boys. Glrls. Total. Latin W '1 261 (reek 16 B8 Cernían 68 62 120 rrencb 25 is 40 English LHorature 25 SI 46 Rhetoric 27 p 56 Composition Tl 49 i-.i; Grammar M 70 156 Algebra 216 139 Geometry 83 t Astronomy 1 17 24 ri.rmistry 28 14 39 l'liyalcs I 45 112 Bofany - 70 5 Physlology 4 36 -i Phvsloal Goograiliy 82 4S lio United States History... 49 56 Knglisli History 10 17 27 Roman History M 13 42 Greek History 16 7 22 General History 65 30 86 Volitical Eoonomy 19 11 e Civil Government SS 31 70 Commercial I.aw 17 5 22 Arithmetic 69 46 116 üiHiK-Keeping 88 36 14 Etymologj 2 ie 42 The junior exhibition was held on the evening of March 23, in High School Hall, and was a very creditable showing of the more especially literary features of the High School instruction. The graduating exercises were held, as last year, in University Hall, on Friday, June 22. The literary merit of the productions was highly satisfactory, and the speaking was good, but would have been better had our pupils enjoyed elocutionary advantages during the year. The following program was presented : Hado. Praycr. Music. I. Are WeFree? Wi.'liam Blalr, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania . 2 WeGirls, Hannah M. Anderson, Greene, Iowa. 8. The Law of the Conventlonal, Lizzie M. Bail y, Ann Arbor. Music. 4. Root vs. Blossom, Nellie Catler, Flshcr. 5. Wanted- Men, Donald O. Douglas, Anu Arbor. 6. Mberty's Gift to the Old World, Hatlie V. Haviland, Ann Arbor. Mufic. 7. The New We.'t, Austin C. Gorrnley, Ann Arbor. 8. The Mlssion of Ihe Bells. M atilda A. Neumann, Ann Arbor. 9. Ureat Occasions Make Grat líen, Fred C. Kent, Dundee. 10. Tongues, ' Roba Pulcipher, Aun Arbor. Music. II. Should Science be Made Popular? David McMorran, Port Huron. 12. Commissioner Atkins' Order, Frederlck B. Ryder, Ann Arbor. 13. Guilly, or NotGuilty? M. Eloise Walker, St. Johns. Preaentation of Diplomas. Music. Benediction. UraitnatinK Cintre. CLASSICAI. COUKSE. Hannah M. Andsrson, Frank Morrison, Gertrudj M. Bundy, John B. Miller, John K. Earp, Cari D. Perry, Frederlck D. 8reen: Frederick B. Ryder, Jacob Morrison, U. Eloise Walker. latín course. Harry L Bird, William R. Murray, Mzzie M. Bailey, Marión G. Paul, Kate Cramer, George C. Slater, Julia F. Ehrman. Elsie M. Sheldon, Austin C. Gormley, Frederick B. Sturm, N. Fay LeaF. Charles F. Vaughn, Cari C. Warden. ESCI.ISH COURSE. Flora H. Bourns, Agnes M. Leas, Nellie Cutler, Emma C. Lutz, Iris Carr, Olga B. Laubengayer, Martha M. Drake, Ray j'. McColl, Douald O. Douglas, Matüda A. Neumann. Fannie C. Gard"er. Clara E. O'Toole, Russell H. Hemley. Roba Pulcipher, Hattie V. Havilatd, LeRoy Southmayd, Charles O. Whitcomb. SCIENTIFIC COl'RSE. Ella II, Brush, Eugenia Mogk, Wilhelmine L. Bender, David McMorran, Frank W. Clay. Matilda A. Neumaun. Euth B. Durheim, Carrie R. Owens, Cari W. Hertel, LeRoy Southmayd, Beulah B. Johnson Vernon B. Sherrod, Walter J. Kent, Allie C, Tolchard, Fred C Kent, Margarette C. Ulber, Geo. A. Katzenberger, Mary E. Vaughan, Virginia Law, Cari C. Warden. ENGINEERING COl'RSE. John R. Allen, William H. Dorrance, Willinm Blair, Clinton 1'. McAllaster, Edward M. St, John. COMMERCIAL COÜRSE. John Bradley, Martin R. Hoar, George 3. Donahue, Lewis B. McCardy, William F. Fisher, Edward Sharpe, Mabel M. Gormley, Henry W. McNally. During the whole of last year, on account of lack of room, we were compelled to employ temporary teachers to' take charge of classes out of regular school hours. Theaggregateof this work was about equal to that of one regular teacher. To obvíate this unpleasant arrangement, a twelfth teacher has been added to the corps, and the central part of the assembly hall has been transformed into a recitation room for his accommodation. This plan turns the whole chapel hall into recitation rooms ; and for the coming year will.apparently, prevent the assembling of the pupila for chapel service, or for any other purpose. While we greatly regret this necessity, we remember that it is only a temporary one. The noble building rising on the north part of the school grounds, assures us that, after the coming year, the High School will enjoy a comfortable, ampie home. The library will there have a new room, with larger and better facilities for its increasing usefulness. Besides this, the building willcontain seven rooms, and a Hall thatwill accommodate 1,500 people. The physical sciences willbe provided with a spacious, working laboratory, a work-shop, apparatus room, and recitation room, with all need appliances and appointments, the whole constituting a group of conveniences for such instruction not easily excelled. Provisión for laboratory work in natural science, it is expected, will shortly follow. A moveiiient has long been Bader discussion in the University, looking to the requiretnent of physics in all preparatory courses, including the classical. If this project is carried out, as I trust, for the sake of symmetrical education, and a due recognition of the modern demands upon educated men and women, it will be.. our proposed facilities for scientific instruction will need to be confiderably enlarged. I am sure we .hall be glad to meet any increased demands of this kind upon us. Some important changes, long contemplated in the High School, in grouping branches for more efficiënt instruction, have been consummated. Germán and French have been united underthe same teacher. All English language studies have been grouped and graded and will occupy the time of three teachers. We shall also, the coming year, furnish superior advantages in Elocution. It is the ambition of the faculty to make the High School worthy of being recognized as, the best preparatory anc academie school in the Weet. Considering the serious losses by res ignation of teachers in the High School we are fortúnate in being able to make excellent appointments to complete the corps for the coming year. FOLLOWING IS A COMPLETE LIST OF TEACHERS IN THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS, WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONSi W. S. Perry, Superintendent. Hltrli School. J. G. Pattengill, Principal, Latin and Greek. n S. Chute Physical Science. Lucy k. Chittenden, Khetoric and English Literature. Levi D. Wines Geometry and A'irebra. Alice Porter Latin. B. E. Nichols Commercial Course Branches. Mary E. Hunt Natural Sciences. Mary Dlckey Germán and French. Fred C. Clark _History. Bertha H. Wright General English. R. G. Cole English (rammar and Composition. I.ouis P. Jocelyu Algebra and Arithmetic. Iris ('arr Asslstant in BookKeeping, Nellie S. Loving Librarían. tirnnimnr and I'rimary Dopartineiils. CENTRAL BUILDING. Eliza C. Ladd, Principal Eighth Grade. Mattie O. Campbell Assistant. Abbie E. Pond (part time) " FIRST WARD SCHOOL. Clara G. Plympton, Principal Seven'h Grade. Emilie J. Eldrldge Sevënth " AnnaD. Robinson Sixth " Mary Trueblood Fifth Carrie Baxter Fourth and Thlrd " Maggie T. McDivitt Second and First " SECOND WARD SCHOOL. Mary Mulholland, Principal Sixth Grade. Miunie A. Drake Fifth " Jennie L. Wines Fourth Emily Gundert...__ Third ' Augusta W. Walter Second " Amelia F. Lutz First " THIRD WARD SCH30L. Hattie 1. Boyd, Principal, Sixth and Fifth Grades. Sarah G. Come Fourth and Third " May C. Bock Second " Alice M. Lovejoy First " FODRTH WARD SCHOOL. Annette L. Ailes, Principal Seventh Grade. Celia L. Burke Sixih and Fifth " Julia A. Howard Fourth and Third " Belle K. Edson Second Lucy K. Cole First FIFTH WARD SCHOOL. Mattie E. Goodale, Principal, Sixth and Fifïh Grades. Charlotte I Millard Fourth and Third " Hattie V. Haviland Second and First ' SIXTH WARD SCHOOL. Adda C. Jewell. Principal, Sixth and Fifth Grades. Ella S. Wright Fourth and Third " lattie Cornwell Second and First " 6PECIAL TEACHERS. Benjamin E. Nichols Penmanship. George W. Renwick Music. Alice Hunt Drawing. Withgratefulacknowledgmentofyour constant encouragement, and friendh' counsel to myself, and to the whole body of our teachers, this report is Respectfully submitted, Ann Arbor, Aug. 30, 1888