576 S76 ' Afield, iv.ass. Board of education . ;les and regulations of the public schools. THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES m "A "N '* nsw *S i 'soaa /If pwn; RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1867. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. : SAMUEL BOWLES AND COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1867. To the Teachers of the Public Schools in Springfield. By direction of the School Committee of Springfield, the CODE OF KULKS AND REGULATIONS, adopted by them September 17. 1867, is now published ; and a copy of the same, attested by the undersigned, placed in every school-room in the city, "for the guidance and direction of both teacher and pupils in the discharge of their respective duties. ' J. HOOKKi:. Chairman. , K. A. HU HEARD, Superintendent. SPRINGFIELD, October, 1867. RULES AND REGULATIONS PUBLIC SCHOOLS CITY OF SPRINGFIELD. 1867. (SPRINGFIELD, MASS.: SAMUEL BOWLES AND COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1867. L /6/ 5 76 Table of Contents. CHAPTER I. , PAGE. ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE. Annual and other Meetings Ap- pointment of Superintendent Other General Duties, . . .5 CHAPTER II. OF THE SCHOOLS. Their Localities Grades and General Arrangements, Q CHAPTER III. GENERAL REGULATIONS, .8 CHAPTER IV. OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. His Powers and Duties, . . . .12 CHAPTER V. OF TEACHERS. Their Appointment Tenure of Office Duties, etc., . 15 CHAPTER VI. OF DISCIPLINE IN THE SCHOOLS, 18 CHAPTER VII. OF INSTRUCTION IN THE SCHOOLS, 21 CHAPTER VIII. THE HIGH SCHOOL. Teachers Preparatory Department Admission of Pupils Qualifications Required Conditions of Membership Lec- tures, etc. Course of Studies Diplomas, . . . . . .23 APPENDIX. COURSE or STUDY FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 27 492867 EDUCATION School Committee, 1867. AT LARGE, JOSIAH HOOKER. WARD I. JOHN M. STEBBINS. WARD II. WILLIAM RICE. WARD III. S. G. BUCKINGHAM. WARD IV. JOHN L. KING. WARD V. HORACE KIBBE. WARD VI. JOHN B. STEBBINS. WARD VII. MARCELLUS PINNEY. WARD VIII. HIRAM WARNER. CHAIRMAN, JOSIAH HOOKER. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, E. A. HUBBARD. Rules and Regulations. CHAPTER I. ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE ANNUAL AND OTHER MEETINGS APPOINTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENT, AND OTHER GENERAL DUTIES. 1. On the first Monday of January of each year, at eleven o'clock A. M., the Committee shall meet for the purpose of organi- zation and other appropriate business the place of such meeting and of all other meetings of the Board to be at the office of the Superintendent. 2. At said annual meeting the Board shall choose by ballot a Chairman, and also, at this or some other meeting in the month of January, appoint, in the same mode, the Superintendent of Schools for the year. The Superintendent so chosen shall also be ex officio Secretary of the Board. 3. The Board shall hold monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month, at three o'clock P. M., except as the time may be varied by vote of the Committee. Special meetings shall also be held whenever the Chairman and Superintendent shall think it advisable, or whenever application shall be made, in writing, by any two members of the Board, to the Superintendent, for such special meeting. The Secretary shall notify such meetings, either by an oral notice to the members personally, or a printed or written notice sent to them respectively, through the post-office or otherwise, two days at least before the meeting. A majority of all the members shall constitute a quorum. 4. The Committee shall appoint from their number Special Committees on Text-Books, School-Houses, Teachers, Finance and Expenditures, and other departments, so far as they may deem it 6 RULES AND REGULATIONS OF expedient such Committees to advise with and aid the Superin- tendent in these departments. 5. In executing the trust committed to them by the law of the State and the choice of their fellow-citizens, it is the duty of the Committee to frame such rules and regulations, and give such directions concerning the schools as in their judgment will be con- ducive to their judicious management and success. CHAPTER II. OF THE SCHOOLS THEIK LOCALITIES, GRADES, AND GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS. The different classes or grades of schools are as follows : 1. THE HIGH SCHOOL (including a new Latin Preparatory Department) stands at the head of the series of public schools. 2. FOUR GRAMMAR SCHOOLS, kept in different sections of the city, viz. North Main Street, Elm Street, Armory Hill, Central Street, each with a gentleman teacher as principal. The several sections or classes in the new Grammar School buildings are respect- ively accounted as forming but one school, though of different grades, all being under the charge and direction of one principal. 3. PRIMARY SCHOOLS, comprising all the schools outside of the Grammar School buildings, except the Mixed Schools, the Ungra- ded School on State Street, and the Truant School. 4. THE MIXED SCHOOLS, comprising the schools in the outside sections or districts of the city, having no immediate connection with the other schools by gradation or transfers. 5. THE UNGRADED SCHOOL ON STATE STREET, specially de- signed for the reception of such scholars as from any cause are irregular in their attendance. 6. THE TRUANT SCHOOL, kept at the City Almshouse, for the reception of children sent there as a school of reform, by the Police Court, for truancy, idleness, vagrancy and other like mis- demeanors. 7. THE ADULT EVENING SCHOOL, kept only during the Winter season, and exclusively for adults who have not had the advantages of early education. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 7 GROUPS OF SCHOOLS. The schools in the grades below the High School (except the Mixed Schools and a few others) are also divided into four general groups with reference to the transfer of pupils and classes from one grade to another. At the head of each of the groups, is the Grammar School Department proper, with which they are respectively connected and which is mainly sup- plied with pupils from the subordinate schools of the group, as they become qualified therefor. These groups are as follows : 1. THE NORTH MAIN STREET, comprising all the schools in Ward One. 2. THE ELM STREET, comprising the Elm Street, State, Bridge, West Union, School and York Street Schools. 3. THE ARMORY HILL, comprising all the schools in Ward Five. 4. THE CENTRAL STREET, comprising the Central Street, Pine Street and Asbury Chapel Schools. IMMEDIATE SUPERA^ISION. For more effectually securing this object, an arrangement is adopted, as far as practicable and conven- ient, by which schools that are in the same building, or are other- wise closely connected, are placed under the superintending charge of the Principal of the most advanced of the respective schools so connected, subject, however, to the control and direction of the Su- perintendent and Committee. The schools so arranged, are as follows : 1. The North Main and Auburn Street, two schools. 2. The Charles Street, five schools. 3. The Emery Street, three schools. 4. The Elm Street, one school. 5. The State Street (under the charge of the Principal of the Ungraded schools), four schools. 6. The Bridge Street, three schools. 7. The Armory Hill, as before designated, eleven schools. 8. The Central Street, Pine Street, and Asbury Chapel, six schools. 9. The Indian Orchard, three schools. RULES AND REGULATIONS OF CHAPTER III. GENERAL REGULATIONS. 1. THE SCHOOL YEAR CONSISTS OF FORTY WEEKS, beginning about the first of September, and ending on Friday next preceding the fourth day of July. It is divided into three Terms, viz : The Fall Term, of about twelve weeks, beginning with the School year as above, and ending with Friday of the week next preceding the week of the annual State Thanksgiving. The Winter Term, consisting usually of about fourteen weeks, beginning on Tuesday of the week after the annual Thanksgiving. The Summer Term, consisting of about fourteen weeks, begin- ning after a (two weeks) vacation following the Winter Term, and ending with the School year as above. The precise time of beginning and ending each term and vacation, will be regulated from year to year by vote of the Committee, and may be varied by them during the year, as they may judge best. 2. SCHOOL DAYS AND SCHOOL SESSIONS. The schools shall be kept Jive days each week, beginning Monday morning and ending Friday night, holding two sessions each day, subject however to any variance from the above, authorized by the Committee. The schools in the morning shall begin at nine o'clock, and close at twelve o'clock ; and in the afternoon begin at two o'clock, and close at five o'clock through the year, except that from November 1st, until February 1st, they shall close at half-past four o'clock ; and provided also that the Committee may vary the time of begin- ning or closing the sessions in respect to the schools generally or to particular schools, as they may judge expedient under the circum- stances. They may also permit or require a school to be kept only one session a day, whenever in their view there are satisfactory reasons for such an arrangement. No single sessions are allowed in any school unless authorized as above, except in case of absolute necessity occasioned by a sudden and violent storm. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 9 3. OPENING ROOMS. The school-rooms shall be opened for the reception of the pupils fifteen minutes before the beginning of the session ; and each teacher is required to be at the school-room at this time, to receive and take charge of the pupils. Exact punctuality both in opening and closing the schools at the appointed time, is enjoined upon the teachers. 4. OPENING EXERCISES. The morning exercises shall be opened by the reading of some portion of the Bible ; and it is recom- mended that it be followed by a brief prayer uttered by the teacher, or by the Lord's prayer repeated by the pupils in unison. 5. RECESSES. There shall be one recess, not exceeding in length twenty minutes in each session, to be at the same time for both sexes, where they have separate yards ; but when the grounds are in common, the arrangement for the recess shall be such, that the boys and girls shall be out at different times.- 6. FIYE DAYS' ABSENCE. Pupils of any school who are ab- sent for five or more consecutive days of a term, are no longer to be accounted members of the school in making up averages. 7. THE ESTABLISHED HOLIDAYS are as follows : Christmas, Fourth of July, Washington's Birthday (February 22), and Thanks- giving, and Fast Days appointed by the National or State Govern- ment. The schools may also be suspended on other occasions by the Committee, whenever they shall judge it expedient. 8. BOOKS FOR TEACHERS. Whenever new text books are hereafter introduced into the schools, the Superintendent shall pro- vide for supplying the teachers' desks of those schools in which they are used, with copies of the same, at the' expense of the city, for the use of the teachers. 9. PUPILS WITHOUT BOOKS. If any children attending school have not the books used in the school, the teacher shall first apply to the parents, guardians, or masters of such children to supply the deficiency; if this does not avail, then the case shall be reported by the teacher to the Superintendent, with the names of the pupils, who shall thereupon furnish the books at the expense of the city, and return the same to the city assessors as required by law. 10. DAMAGES. Pai'ents, masters, and guardians are to be held responsible, by the Superintendent, for any damage done by pu- pils sent by them to school, to the school-house, furniture, or any part of the premises or property thereon ; and when such damage is done, it shall be forthwith reported by the teacher to the Superin- 2 10 RULES AND REGULATIONS OF tendent, with the names of the offenders, and of the parents, guar- dians or masters. 11. CALLS. Pupils shall not be permitted during school hours to answer the calls of any persons at the door, except of parents or guardians, or in other cases deemed by the teacher of urgent im- portance. 12. LEAVING SCHOOL. No pupil shall be allowed to leave the school during a session, until the close of it, unless in case of sick- ness or other cause satisfactory to the teacher, excepting also cases in which pupils are excused by the Superintendent, for the purpose of taking music lessons, but such excuse shall not be granted when the absence would interfere with the recitations or general exer- cises of the pupils in the school. Nor shall any pupil leave the school before the end of the term, without sufficient excuse rendered to the teacher ; and in case any one does so leave, he shall not be allowed to take his place in the school the next term, until an explanation of his absence is given, with satisfactory assurances for the future. 13. EXHIBITIONS. There shall be no exhibitions of any kind by any of the schools without first obtaining permission of the Com- mittee for the same. 14. BOOK AGENTS, &c. No book or other agents of any description shall have admission into the schools for any purpose connected with their agency, unless by permission of the Superin- tendent ; nor shall any notice be given in the schools of exhibitions, lectures, or other public exercises, without such permission. 15. USE OF ROOMS. School-rooms shall not be opened for any purpose except for the use of the schools regularly occupying them, unless by permission first obtained of the Committee through the Superintendent ; and whenever such permission is granted, the Superintendent shall give notice thereof to the teacher of the school kept therein. 16. OTHER TOWNS. The School Committee may make such arrangements with other towns as they shall think reasonable con- cerning the tuition of children living near the boundary lines be- tween them, agreeably to the provision of law in such cases. 17. CHILDREN BELONGING TO OTHER TOWNS may be allowed by the School Committee, when they shall judge it expedient, to at- tend the schools of this city on such terms as they shall think equitable, provided it can be done with a due regard to the rights THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 11 and privileges of the children of our own citizens ; but none shall be allowed to attend without first obtaining permission. 18. PURE AIR. It shall be the duty of teachers, so far as it is within their power, to adopt efficient measures for securing pure air and a proper temperature in their rooms, by regulating the ventilators, opening windows at recess and other times when it can be safely done, and by other like means. 19. NEATNESS OF ROOMS, &c. It shall also be the duty of teachers to take constant care that their rooms and furniture are kept in a clean, neat and tidy manner, and also, that the premises generally, both within and without, are kept in a proper condition ; also, require personal neatness on the part of the children ; and, if any repairs or other work are necessary to be done for the above purpose or, if there is any neglect of duty on the part of the janitor or of others in the care of the premises, the same shall be reported by the teacher to the Superintendent. 20. VACCINATION. If there are in a school, at any time, children who have not been vaccinated, or any that are infected with loathsome or contagious disease, it shall be the duty of the teacher forthwith to exclude such children from the school, until they bring satisfactory evidence that the cause of their exclusion is removed, or direction from the Superintendent to restore them. 21. PUPILS OUT OF PLACE. Children shall attend the schools to which they properly belong, according to the respective limits of the schools as established by the Committee, and shall attend no other without the direction of the Superintendent ; and whenever any children go to schools where they do not belong, the teacher shall send them to the right school, or to the Superintendent for direction. 22. TRANSFERS. The regular changes in the schools from term to term, by transfers and promotion of classes or pupils from one grade to another, shall be fully arranged, if practicable, during the two closing weeks of the term next preceding the term when they are to go into effect. Other changes and transfers may be made during the progress of the term, as may be judged expedient by the Committee or Superintendent. 23. When pupils are dismissed at the close of a session, they shall pass quietly and promptly from the school premises. 24. Pupils shall make up neglected lessons ; and no pupil shall be permitted by the Superintendent to remain in a class to the serious hindrance of its progress. 12 RULES AND REGULATIONS OF 25. Teachers may detain pupils a reasonable time after the close of a session for discipline, or to make up neglected lessons, subject, however, to such limitations as the Superintendent or Com- mittee may see fit to prescribe. 26. Janitors and others employed in any service connected with the school department shall be under the general direction of the Superintendent of schools, subject, as in other cases, to the Committee. CHAPTER IV. OF THE SUPERINTENDENT HIS POWERS AND DUTIES. 1. STATUTE, CITY ORDINANCE. The law of the Commonwealth, which authorizes the appointment of Superintendents of the public schools, provides that " they shall have the care and supervision of the schools under the direction of the School Committee;" and the city ordinance establishing the office here requires of the person holding the same, that he shall also perform the duties of School- house Agent and Prudential Committee. 2. EXECUTIVE OFFICER. Under the above provisions the Su- perintendent of schools is virtually the executive officer and rep- resentative agent of the School Committee, the ultimate responsibility of the management of the schools resting mainly upon the Com- mittee. It is therefore his special duty to see that the rules and regulations of the Committee are properly observed and executed, and all directions given by them concerning the schools are carried into effect. 3. DUTIES : Two CLASSES. The office of Superintendent there- fore comprehends two general classes of duties ; one relating to the arrangements of the schools, their classification, instruction, disci- pline, &c. ; the other, to their material wants, repairs, fuel, books, furniture, &c. While each branch of the service is of great im- portance to the schools, and should receive its proportional share of his supervision and labors, yet the first class forms a higher and more responsible grade of duties, and constitutes more appro- priately the Superintendent's sphere of effort. For this reason it is intended that he shall be relieved as far as possible, from the do- THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 13 tails of the secondary department, in order that he may devote for the most part his time and attention to the other, for which the office was mainly instituted. 4. His SPECIAL DUTIES RESPECTING THE COMMITTEE. He shall keep them informed as to the condition and progress of the schools, recommend to them from time to time measures of improve- ment, such as he may judge expedient to adopt, make a report to them oral or written at each monthly meeting, and at such other times as they may desire, concerning the general state of the schools, particularly of those he has visited the previous month, and at the close of the year make an Annual Report to the Board, to be incorporated and published with the Annual Report of the Com- mittee. 5. His SPECIAL DUTIES RESPECTING TEACHERS AND PUPILS. The Superintendent shall, as often as he finds opportunity, give to the teachers such counsel and directions as he may judge needful, in respect to modes of instruction, and measures of discipline, and other matters relating to their daily employment ; and for this purpose, he may whenever he thinks it expedient, call them together all at the same time, or by sections or classes, at his dis- cretion, for such exercises as he may judge will render them aid, by suggestion or otherwise, in the performance of their duties, and be conducive also to their general improvement in their profession. To PUPILS. He shall also visit the schools as often as he can consistently with his other duties, and, as far as practicable, gain a familiar acquaintance with them respectively, give to the pupils ad- vice as to their studies and deportment, encourage them in diligent and faithful application, and, by all other appropriate means seek to promote their progress. 6. DIFFICULTIES ADJUSTED. It is the duty of the Superintend- ent to settle all difficulties that may arise in the schools, which cannot be properly adjusted by the teachers themselves, subject to the right of appeal to the Committee, provided however, that in matters of grave importance the Superintendent, may, if he judges it expedient, refer the same at once to the Committee for decision. 7. EXAMINING TEACHERS. The examination of teachers shall be conducted by the Superintendent, with the aid of the Chairman and other members of the Committee who may be present. To such candidates as are approved and appointed, certificates shall be 14 RULES AND REGULATIONS OF given of their appointment in the usual form, signed by the Chair- man and countersigned by the Superintendent 8. PROCURING TEACHERS. The Superintendent is to make it an object of paramount interest to procure for the schools teachers of the very best qualifications ; and for this purpose, he shall assign as often as he shall judge it best, special times for examining by written exercises, persons who may apply or wish for positions in the schools, so that by means of these exercises, in connection with other sources of information, a proper selection may be made when- ever a vacancy occurs. 9. All changes in the classification of the schools by transfer of pupils or of classes, are to be made under the direction of the Su- perintendent aided by the Teachers, the Chairman and other members of the Committee who may be present. 10. PAT ROLL AND OTHER ACCOUNTS. The Superintend- ent shall make up the Pay Roll of the teachers at the close of each term according to the rate of wages established by the Committee, and shall also approve all other bills and accounts against the school department which, on examination he finds correct, and, on being approved by the Chairman (as required by the city ordi- nance) he shall present the same for allowance to the Committee on accounts of the City Council. An accurate account shall be kept of all incidental expenses incurred by him for the department during the year, at the close of which he shall make a report of the same to the Committee. 11. ROOM OF SUPERINTENDENT OFFICE HOURS. The Of- fae of the Superintendent is to be kept in the room in the City Hall assigned for this purpose by the City Government. Here all the books, records, documents, and other matters relating to the school department, shall be deposited and kept in proper order by the Superintendent. This also shall be the place for the transaction of the regular business of the department, and for the reception of teachers and others desiring communication with the Superintendent. Regular and convenient office hours shall be appointed by him for the above purposes, of which due notice shall be given. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 15 CHAPTER V. I. OF TEACHERS THEIR APPOINTMENT TENURE OF OFFICE, ETC. APPOINTMENT TENURE OF OFFICE. All the teachers shall be appointed by the Committee annually, some time during the last half of the summer term, four weeks at least before the close of the same, and written notice thereof shall be given by the Secretary to each teacher so appointed forthwith, and the acceptance or non-ac- ceptance by the teachers respectively, shall- be signified to the Sec- retary before the close of said summer term. Such appointment shall take effect at the beginning of the fall Term, and continue until the close of the School Year, subject to the provision of law, " that the school Committee may dismiss from employment, any teacher whenever they think proper " On the acceptance of an appointment, it shall be binding on the teacher for the year for which it is made, unless released therefrom by the Committee on account of sickness or other good cause. SALARIES. The salaries of the teachers shall be fixed at the time of their appointment, but they may be varied by the Commit- tee, the change to take effect with the beginning of the next term after it is made ; but if there is a reduction in any case, the teacher affected will be at liberty to resign. VACANCIES How FILLED. Whenever a vacancy occurs, either temporarily or for the term, it may be filled by the Superintendent and Chairman, subject to the approval of the Committee. II DUTIES OF TEACHERS. 1. EXAMPLE. Tt is of the highest importance that they uni- formly exhibit in their deportment, conversation and manners, an example in every respect worthy of imitation by their pupils. 2. OBSERVANCE OF RULES. Teachers should make them- selves familiar with all the rules, regulations and directions of the Committee and Superintendent, and always aim in good faith to ob- 16 EULES AND REGULATIONS OF serve the same and carry them into full effect, according to their true spirit and meaning. 3. GOOD ORDER. As no school can be successful without the maintenance of good order and proper subordination, it is the duty of every teacher to use suitable means for gaining this end. With this view, they should endeavour to win the confidence and love of their pupils, relying upon this as the mainspring of their govern- ment ; and they should also, as far as they can, learn the peculiar temperaments, habits and capabilities of their pupils, so as to be able the better to adapt both discipline and instruction to their individual necessities. 4. AID OF PARENTS. In pursuance of the same end, teachers should endeavor, as far as they can, to make the acquaintance of the parents of their pupils, by visiting their homes and otherwise, so as to gain their sympathies and co-operation in their daily work and trials at the school. Difficulties may thereby be often prevented, and when they do occur, may be the more easily settled. 5. GOOD BEHAVIOR. The constitution and laws of the State designate " Good Behavior " as an object of primary importance in the education of the public school. In obedience to this injunction, it is the duty of teachers to watch with scrupulous care over the morals and manners of their pupils, and endeavor by all proper means to prevent and suppress deceit, lying, profanity and every other vicious and disgraceful practice, and in place thereof, form and establish those virtuous principles and habits of conduct that will not only inure to the benefit of the pupils while at school, but endow them with elements of character of dura- ble and priceless value. 6. SUPERVISION. It is also the duty of teachers, in obedience to the same requirement, to exercise a general supervision and con- trol over the conduct of their pupils, not only during school hours and in the school-room, but also during recess, and directly before and after school, and at other times while on the premises, or in the im- mediate vicinity of the same, and as far as practicable and lawful, while coming to and returning from school. 7. ABSENCES AND SUBSTITUTES NOT ALLOWED. No teacher shall ever be absent from the school without the permission of the Superintendent or Committee, unless it be on a sudden emergency or necessity, when such permission cannot be readily obtained ; nor shall a teacher ever introduce a substitute into the school except with THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 17 the express sanction of the Superintendent or Committee at the time. In cases of absence, a proportional deduction from the wages will be made, unless there are peculiar and satisfactory reasons for allowing full payment of the same. 8. TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. This association, which is of several years' standing, is recognized by the Committee as a valu- able auxiliary in our educational arrangements ; and all the teachers are members ex-officio, and are required to attend the meetings and contribute severally their share in rendering the exercises interesting and useful. All failures to attend will be noted by the Secretary, and a return of the same, with a report concerning the proceedings of the association, will be made by him to the Committee at the end of each term. 9. OTHER CONVENTIONS OR MEETINGS. It is also hereby made the duty of the teachers to attend occasional meetings that may be called by the Superintendent or Committee for their benefit and pro- fessional improvement, by lectures or otherwise ; and for the same purpose, it is recommended that they give their attendance (unless prevented by necessary causes) at the STATE and COUNTY Conven- tions and other like educational meetings ; provided, however, that if the same occur during term-time, the attendance of the teachers will be subject to the discretion of the Committee in giving or withholding permission to suspend the schools for that purpose. Teachers may also occasionally, with the permission of the Superintendent, visit other public schools for the same purpose 10. NORMAL SCHOOL. And it is further recommended that the teachers, as they have opportunity, visit the STATE NORMAL SCHOOL at Westfield, where they can see the practical operation of the Nor- mal system, as specially illustrated in the "school of observation" con- nected with the institution, and may, from carefully observing the various exercises of the institution, obtain hints and suggestions that will be of much value in teaching and managing their own schools. 11. REPORTS. Monthly reports are required to be made by the several teachers to the Superintendent, concerning the condition of their respective schools, and containing some of the most important facts that have occurred therein during the month, the details of which are indicated in the blank forms furnished by the Superintendent for this purpose. At the close of the school -year a general summary of the details 3 18 RULES AND REGULATIONS OF referred to above is to be prepared by each teacher and returned to the Superintendent, in the form prescribed by him. 12. SCHOOL REGISTER. It is also required of each teacher to keep a REGISTER of the school during the year, in the form pre- scribed by law, and return the same at the end of the year to the Superintendent. Among the items recorded in the register, it is now required of the teachers that they note by name the visits made to their respect- ive schools by members of the Committee, the Superintendent, teachers and others. CHAPTER VI. OF DISCIPLINE IN THE SCHOOLS. GOVERNMENT PARENTAL. The government and discipline of a school should be that of a well regulated family, in which mutual love exists between the head and all the different members, inspiring the whole with a spirit of harmony and kindness : For the teacher stands morally as well as legally in loco parentis, and in the way of discipline is charged with similar powers and duties. DIFFERENT MODES. Different modes of management and dis- cipline are resorted to, as circumstances may require ; but it may be laid down as a rule preliminary to all others, that firm and reliable discipline cannot be maintained in a school unless the TEACHER GOVERNS IT HIMSELF, without ordinarily resorting to outside helps to bolster up his authority. The practice of sending common cases of discipline to the Superinteudent or Committee for disposal is vexatious to them, while its direct tendency is to destroy the confi- dence and respect of the pupils towards the teacher. 1. KIND APPEALS. The first and most agreeable of all modes of controlling a school, is by kind words and persuasive ap- peals to the conscience and better feelings of the pupils. 2. GOOD HABITS. By forming and cultivating among the pupils individually, habits of correct deportment and conduct, based upon a just appreciation of what is IN ITSELF RIGHT OR WRONG. 3. SLIGHT MISCONDUCT. In case cf slight mis-behavior, kind THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 19 and gentle admonitions given privately, sometimes fully answer the purpose of discipline. 4. FOR GRAVER OFFENCES. For more serious offences or the persistent repetition of the same misconduct after admonitions given, punishments more or less severe, according to the degree of the offence, must be resorted to. Such are reprimands given pri- vately, or openly before the school, or placing the offending pupil in a position of disgrace, as an object of displeasure and censure on account of his misconduct, and other like modes of discipline for the reform of the pupil, which the teacher may devise. 5. AGGRAVATED MISCONDUCT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. But cases of obstinate and aggravated misconduct, or of pointed and defiant resistance to the government of the school sometimes occur, which compel the teacher to fall back upon the reserved right to inflict corporal punishment, as well for the reform of the offender, as to maintain his own supremacy in the school ; but, as a general rule, it should be resorted to only after milder means have been fairly tried without success ; it being the determined policy of the Committee to do away with this punishment, especially in its harsher features, as far as it can be done consistently, with the due main- tenance of good order and discipline in the schools. The punish- ment, when the necessity for it occurs, should be administered, gen- erally not in the presence of the school, but after due deliberation, and in a proper and cautious manner. EXCEPTIONAL CASES. Exceptional cases may occur, requiring some deviation from the order or degree of punishments as indicated above. For example : sudden and violent opposition to the authority of the teacher, may call for instant punishment on the spot, in the presence of the school, without waiting for the trial of other means of correction. Such cases are rare, and must be left to the disposal of the teacher in view of the circumstances before him. SUSPENSIONS EXPULSIONS. In case of pupils of a comparatively mature age, especially those of the female sex, it may be expedient to adopt as a substitute for this punishment, suspension by the teacher, to be followed with expulsion by the Committee, if they shall judge that the offender has become so incorrigible as to be no longer a fit member of the school. But suspension should not be resorted to by teachers, except for grave offences ; and expulsion by the Committee will not be adopted except in the last extremity, when reform in the common school is evidently hopeless. 20 RULES AND REGULATIONS OF 6. CAUTION TO TEACHERS. It is especially enjoined upon teach- ers to conform in their practice at all times to the views of the Committee as expressed in the foregoing articles in relation to school discipline, especially corporal punishments, avoiding on the one hand, that lenity which marks a morbid and inefficient policy, and on the other, a harsh, arbitrary and tyrannical administration, which should never find place either in the school or family. The teachers are required to return, in their monthly reports, the names of pupils suspended during the month and the reasons ; also, the names of pupils who have received corporal punishment and their offences. 7. IRREGULAR ATTENDANCE TARDINESS TRUANCY. These are evils of such frequency and magnitude as to require the adoption of strong measures in checking their growth and counteracting their bad effects and tendencies. GENERAL RULE. The general rule in relation to irregular attend- ance is, that necessity alone, arising from sickness or other satisfac- tory cause, can justify absence; and in every instance a written excuse or personal explanation shall be required of the parent or guardian on the return of the pupil to school. ABSENTEEISM CORRECTIVE RULES. Absences by the direction or permission of parents cannot be accounted as offences punishable at school, as the responsibility rests virtually with the parents ; but, on the other hand, when absenteeism prevails to such an extent, or is of such a character as to inflict serious injury upon the schools, it is due to the pupils who are regular in attendance that their rights in the matter be protected ; and for this purpose the Committee are bound to adopt effectual measures for lessening the evil. The Committee have therefore adopted the following regulations : 1. IN ITS FIRST STAGES. If a pupil is absent from school with- out an excuse satisfactory to the teacher, and after suitable caution still continues the practice, lowering thereby essentially his own standard of scholarship, and retarding the progress of the class with which he is connected, the case shall be referred to the Superintend- ent, who may place the pupil in a lower and more suitable grade of schools. 2. IN ITS NEXT STAGES. If the irregularity rises to a higher degree, and is of a more aggravated and injurious character, then the pupil shall have his place assigned him by the Superintendent in the UNGRADED SCHOOL on State Street (specially designed for pupils THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 21 of such habits), where his irregular attendance will do the least harm to others. 3. IN THE LAST STAGES SUSPENDED. If the practice is still obstinately persisted in after suitable warning, then the Committee, may suspend the pupil from all the schools, until satisfactory assur- ances are given by the parent that he will be regular in his attend- ance. Some deviation from the order and course of discipline marked out above may sometimes be required by peculiar circumstances. A more summary treatment may in some cases be necessary. This must be left to the discretion of the Superintendent and Committee. TARDINESS, if not excused by the parent, is accounted a misde- meanor for which the offender is liable to be punished at school ; but if authorized by the parent, the same rule applies in respect to ex- cuses as in the case of absences. TRUANCY. This offence in its incipient stages, is properly a sub- ject of discipline in the school, and all suitable means should be adopted there for reclaiming the offender; but when the practice is obstinately pursued and grows into a vicious habit, so as to be beyond the control and influence of the teachers, then the offender is more properly a subject for the disposal of the Police Court, to be sent, on conviction, to the TRUANT SCHOOL, at the city alms- house, established as a school of reform for such offenders. CHAPTER VII. OF INSTRUCTION IN THE SCHOOLS. 1. TEXT BOOKS COURSE OF STUDIES. The Text Books, now in use in the schools, are hereby adopted by the Committee, and none other shall be used unless by their special permission. The system or course of studies, for the series of twelve consecutive school years now followed in the schools, is hereby adopted by the Committee, and is subjoined to this code of Rules and Regulations, as a part of the same, to be duly followed by the teachers in its proper order. 22 EULES AND REGULATIONS OF 2. MODES OF. It is the duty of the teachers to follow the sug- gestions and directions that may be given them from time to time, by the Superintendent as he visits their respective schools, and on other occasions concerning the best modes of instruction in the different branches taught by them. 3. THOROUGH. All instruction given by teachers should be as thorough as possible, the pupils being required clearly to understand all rules, definitions, processes, arithmetical or otherwise, in each branch of study taught, with the principles and reasons involved, utterly discarding the too common practice of using the memory alone, of committing words without ideas. PRACTICAL. So also instruction should be made practical as far as it well can be, by showing to the pupils distinctly the various applications that may be made of the knowledge they are acquiring at school to the common arts and business of life, thus giving a double interest to their school exercises. 4. HELPS IN TEACHING. The various helps in teaching, which are within reach, should be used freely and constantly. Among these is the black-board, suitable for all grades of schools, and for almost every branch of study, and provided in every school-room, yet not always adequately appreciated and made use of. So also the simple illustrations in the attractive methods of object teaching, may be most usefully employed in teaching geography and other kindred branches, and generally in training the pupils to the practice of observing and minutely studying the objects both of nature and of art with which they come in daily contact. 5. GENERAL EXERCISES. In the general oral exercises, at those intervals in the school hours, when the regular studies are for a while suspended, the opportunity may be profitably and agreeably improved for miscellaneous instructions on topics of natural philoso- phy, physiology, chemistry, &c., or familiar illustrations of valuable truths and principles, drawn from passing incidents and events, from the great enterprises, inventions, &c., of the present times ; thus im- parting to the pupils a fund of knowledge, which they may not otherwise have the means of obtaining. 6. GYMNASTICS. Gymnastics shall be regularly taught and prac- ticed in all the schools, in the Primary, in the simpler forms only ; in the High School and Grammar Schools, in the common and also in the more elaborate forms. 7. PENMANSHIP, Music, &c. Whenever teachers of penmanship, THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 23 music, or other departments of instruction are appointed to give occasional lessons on those branches in the schools, they shall re- ceive the aid and co-operation of the regular teachers, to be ren- dered at the time the lessons are given, and also by subsequent exercises of the same kind, conducted by the regular teachers them- selves ; and for this purpose, the latter shall make themselves as far as practicable, familiar with the branch of instruction so taught. 8. EXAMINATIONS. Public Examinations of the several schools shall be held whenever the Committee and Superintendent may think it expedient, and they shall be under his direction, with the aid of any special Committee that may be appointed for this pur- pose. CHAPTER VIII. THE HIGH SCHOOL. 1. THIS school is designed for the most advanced pupils ; and completes the education given in our public schools. 2. TEACHERS. The teachers of the High School, consist of a principal, a teacher of the classical department, four female teach- ers, to one of whom is assigned the special charge of the preparatory department. 3. PRINCIPAL. The principal of the school is charged with its general superintendence and government in all the departments, and is authorized to make such arrangements in regard to the classifica- tion, studies, and general management of the school, as he, in con- currence with the Superintendent, shall judge best, subject however, to the rules and regulations adopted by the Committee, and to any special directions given by them from time to time, either directly or through the Superintendent. 4. PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT. The Preparatory Department is a subordinate branch of the High School, in which beginners receive lessons in the study of Latin, and at the same time are instructed in the usual course of English studies of the Grammar Schools, and is designed particularly for pupils who are preparing 24 RULES AND REGULATIONS OF for college, and who on this account wish to begin the study of Latin at an early period. If this department at any time is not properly filled by the above class, then others may be admitted (at the dis- cretion of the Superintendent and Committee) who desire to attend to the study of Latin before they are qualiBed for admission into the High School ; and if, with both the above classes, there should still bea deficiency of members in the department, the appointed teacher of the same may be assigned to such other duties in the instruction of pupils or classes in the school as the principal, in concurrence with the Superintendent, may judge best. 5. ADMISSION OF PUPILS. A new class is formed once a year (and at no other time), namely, at the beginning of the school-year, coincident with the beginning of the Fall term ; and in the formation of the class, pupils are admitted at the close of the Summer term, on examination under the direction of the Superintendent and Commit- tee, with the aid of the principal, notice of which is given at the time in the public newspapers of the city. Pupils may also be admitted at the beginning of the other terms, provided they are found on ex- amination to be qualified to enter the class previously formed and then in progress. 6. QUALIFICATIONS. The qualifications for admission are, in general terms, that the accepted candidates shall be GOOD SPELLERS AND GOOD READERS, and thoroughly versed in all the branches taught in the Grammar and other subordinate schools, namely, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar and the History of the United States. 7. CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP. Each pupil admitted, becomes and will continue a member of the school, only on condition of regular attendance, a faithful discharge of duty, strict compliance with the regulations of the school, and the maintenance of a proper standing in his classes. 8. LECTURES. The school is now furnished to such an extent with philosophical, chemical, and other apparatus, that the principal, in addition to the regular lessons and recitations of the school, is enabled to give instructions by lectures, and experiments in several of the branches of natural science. 9. COURSE OF STUDIES DIPLOMAS. At the close of each school year, those pupils who have completed, satisfactorily to the Commit- tee, the prescribed course of studies, either English or Classical, are entitled to receive at their hands Diplomas of graduation. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 25 ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. 1. RULES MODIFIED, &c. Any of the Rules or Regulations contained in the foregoing code, may be modified or suspended in their operation, or entirely repealed, by vote of a majority of the Com- mittee present at a meeting duly called for that purpose ; and the Superintendent shall have a like discretion (with the concurrence of the Chairman or any two other members of the Committee) in cases of emergency, to modify or suspend for the time, any of the rules, subject however, to the revision of the Board. 2. RULES IN EACH SCHOOL. A printed copy of the foregoing Rules and Regulations shall be placed by the Superintendent on the teacher's desk in each school-room of the city, for the use and benefit of the school kept therein, to be referred to from time to time by the teacher as occasion may suggest, for the guidance of both teacher and pupils in the discharge of their respective duties. At a meeting of the School Committee of the City of Springfield, on Tuesday, the 17th day of September, 1867, specially called to consider the foregoing Rules and Regulations, and the adoption of the same, after due deliberation, it was voted that the same be adopted and published, signed by th| Chairman and Secretary in behalf of the Committee, and entered upon the records of the School Department. JOSIAH HOOKER, Chairman. E. A. HUBBARD, Secretary. Appendix. COURSE OF STUDY. FIKST YEAK. SARGENT'S PRIMER thoroughly read. Questions upon reading lessons. The words in columns, also in reading lessons to be spelled by letters and sounds. Give particular attention to enunciation, correct bad habits, and insist upon the use of good English. Use tablets or charts. Use the Primary School slate, No. 1, and blackboard for printing small letters, capitals and short words. Develop the idea of numbers, and, using real objects, as marbles, beans or the numeral frame, count by ones and twos to one hundred. Punctuation marks and their use partly. Object lessons on color, form and size with illustrations from real objects. Verses and maxims repeated. Singing for five minutes, also physical exercises for the same time twice each session. Lessons for oral instruction drawn from "Hooker's Child's Book of Common Things." SECOND YEAR. SARGENT'S FIRST READER, thoroughly read. Pupils to be questioned about reading lesson, and to be encouraged to ask questions about it. The words in columns, also in the lesson to be spelled by letters and sounds. Syllabication. Names and uses of punctuation marks. Printing and drawing on slate No. 1, for a part of the year. "Writing the Arabic figures and script letters with slate No. 2, commenced. Oral lessons in Geography with the use of the globe. Map drawing commenced. Abbreviations commenced. Addition and Subtraction of small numbers, with practical examples. Verses, maxims, singing, physical exercises and object lessons as first year. 28 RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THIRD YEAR. SARGENT'S SECOND READER. SARGENT'S SPELLER to "Class 6." "Words from reading lessons to be spelled by letters and sounds. Reading lessons and the meaning of words to be talked about. Words defined. Abbreviations completed. Addition and Multiplication tables learned. Addition, Subtrac- tion, Multiplication, Division and Fractions by oral lessons with practical ex- amples. Intellectual Arithmetic commenced. General Geography taught by the use of the globe, and the Geography of Massachusetts by the use of the map. Map drawing, writing and drawing on slate No. 2. Counting forwards to one hundred, and backwards to one. Notation to 1,000. Verses, maxims, physical exercises, singing, oral instruction and object lessons as previous years. FOURTH YEAR. THIRD READER. Words from reading lessons spelled and defined. Reading lessons discussed. Speller (oral spelling) to " Class 8." Particular attention to enunciation. Writing. Primary Geography commenced. Drawing and Intel- lectual Arithmetic continued. Frequent drill in adding, subtracting, multiply- ing and dividing to secure facility and accuracy using Walton's tables, slates and blackboards. The principles of music and singing taught. Gymnastics for a few minutes each session. Oral instruction in Physical Geography. Object lessons, and lessons on Morals and Manners through the year. Geography studied in connection with articles of commerce. Map drawing. Writing sim- ple sentences, narrations, &c., to be continued to seventh year. FIFTH YEAR. INTERMEDIATE READER. Words from reading lessons spelled and defined. Speller (oral spelling) to "Class 11." Particular attention given to incorrect expressions and wrong pronunciation. Primary Geography and Intellectual Arithmetic completed. Advanced Geography commenced. Map drawing. Written Arithmetic to fractions. Writing and Drawing continued. Drill with Walton's tables, Music and Gymnastics as fourth year. General questions asked and investigations encouraged. Morals and Manners. Oral instruction on plants, using " The Child's Book of Nature," part first, and other kindred works for reference, also real objects. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 29 SIXTH YEAR. INTERMEDIATE READER, with discussion of words and phrases, spelling and defining as fifth year. Spelling to " Class 14." Spelling (vocal and by writing.) Geography and Map drawing. Written Arithmetic to percentage with analysis of problems as in Mental Arithmetic. Gymnastics, Writing, Music and drill with Walton's tables, Morals and Manners as fifth year. Oral instruction and object lessons upon subjects drawn from Natural History. Books of reference, The Child's Book of Nature, Natural History, Zoology, &c. SEVENTH YEAR. ENGLISH COURSE. (Fall Term.) Arithmetic, with analysis as sixth year. Geography. English Grammar, by oral instruction. (Winter Term.) Arithmetic. Geography, completed. English Grammar. (Summer Term.) Arithmetic. History of United States. English Grammar. Declamation during the year. PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT IN LATIN. (Fall Term.) Arithmetic as in English Course. Geography. Latin Grammar or Lessons. (Winter Term.) Arithmetic. Geography, completed, Latin Grammar and Reader, or Lessons. (Summer Term.) Arithmetic. History of United States. Latin Grammar and Reader, or lessons. Reading (Fourth Reader), Composition, Writing, Music, Spelling, Gymnastics, Drill with Walton's Tables, Morals and Manners, and oral instruction and object lessons upon subjects drawn from Natural Philosophy and Chemistry through the year. Books of reference, The Child's Book of Nature, Science of Common Things. EIGHTH YEAR. ENGLISH COURSE. (Fall Term.) Arithmetic. History of United States. English Grammar. (Winter Term.) Arithmetic. History of United States. English Grammar. Book-keeping. (Summer Term.) Arithmetic. History of United States. English Grammar. Geography reviewed. Book-keeping. LATIN PREPARATORY. (Fall Term.) Arithmetic. History of United States. Latin Grammar and Reader. (Winter Term.) Arithmetic. History of United States. Latin Grammar and Reader. Viri Romse. (Summer Term.) Arithmetic. History of United States. Latin Grammar and Viri Romse. Writing Latin during the year. Reading (Fourth Reader), Speller, Declamation, Composition, Writing, Music, Gym- nastics, Drill with Walton's Tables, Morals and Manners, and oral instruction with ob- ject lessons upon subjects drawn from Physiology and Astronomy, through the year. Reference, First Book in Physiology, Child's Book of Nature, etc., etc. 30 RULE8 AND REGULATIONS OF NINTH YEAR. ENGLISH COURSE. (Fall Term.) Arithmetic reviewed. Physical Geography. English Grammar. (Winter Term.) Algebra commenced. Physical Geography completed. English Grammar. (Summer Term.) Algebra continued. Natural Philosophy commenced. History of England commenced. Spelling through the year. CLASSICAL COURSE. (Fall Term.) ] Arithmetic reviewed. ' Lat. Gram., Nepos or Cseser commenced. Greek Grammar and Lessons. Roman History and Ancient Geography. (Winter Term.) Algebra commenced. Lat. Gram., Nepos or Csesar completed. Greek Grammar and Lessons. Roman History and Ancient Geography. ( Summer Term.) Algebra continued. Latin, Grammar, Cicero's Orations. Greek Grammar and Lessons. Roman History and Ancient Geography. Written Translations during the year. Reading, Declamations and Composition every week during the year. TENTH YEAR. ENGLISH COURSE. (Fall Term.) Algebra completed. Geometry commenced. Natural Philosophy completed, [istory of England completed. Hist (Winter Term.) Geometry continued. Chemistry commenced. Rhetoric commenced. (Summer Term.) Geometry completed. Chemistry completed. Rhetoric completed. English Classics. Spelling and Defining during the year. CLASSICAL COURSE. (Fall Term.) Algebra completed, Geometry commenced. Latin Grammar, Cicero's Orations. Greek Grammar, Anabasis. Grecian and Roman History, Anc. Geog'y. (Winter Term.) Geometry continued. Latin Grammar, Cicero's Orations. Greek Grammar, Anabasis. Grecian and Roman History. (Summer Term.) Natural Philosophy. Latin Pros., Virgil (jEneid.) Greek Grammar, Anabasis. Grecian and Roman History. Greek and Latin Prose Composition during the year. Reading, Declamation and Composition during the year. ELEVENTH YEAR. ENGLISH COURSE. CLASSICAL COURSE. ( Fall Term.) Trigonometry commenced. Geology commenced. Physiology. Book-keeping. English Classics. French. (Winter Term.) Trigonometry completed. Geology completed. Science of Government. Mental Philosophy commenced. English Classics. French. (Fall Term.) Latin Prosody, Virgil (.ZEneid.) Greek Grammar, Anabasis. English Grammar. Grecian and Roman History. (Winter Term.) Virgil (Bucolics and Georgica.) Homer's Iliad. Mathematics reviewed. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 31 ENGLISH COURSE. CLASSICAL COURSE. (Summer Term.) Virgil (Georgics) finished. Reviews. Greek and Latin Prose Composition during the year. (Summer Term.) Surveying commenced. Mental Philosophy completed. Botany. Zoology. |o gy- English Classics. French. Reading, Declamation and English Composition during the year. TWELFTH YEAR. ENGLISH COURSE. (Fall Term.) Surveying completed. Moral Science commenced. Astronomy. French. Arithmetic reviewed. (Winter Term.) Algebra reviewed. Moral Science completed. Political Economy. French. (Summer Term.) Geometry reviewed. Political Economy completed. Reviews. Reading, Composition and Declamation during the year. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-25wt-8,'46 (9852) 444 L161 S76S76