Report of School ComEe. made to the town Aprl.
1st 1839.
Your Committee in the discharge of their duty beg leave respectfuly to
Report.
That after careful examination of all our public schools, we are happy to state that our system of schools, which, three years ago was a mere matter of theory, and doubtful experiment, is now in the full tide of successful operation,—Improving not the
minds only—but the morals—the habits—the manners— and the hearts even, of all the rising generation who choose to avail themselves of their benefits.
It is a
fact well attested by your Com—the teachers and others, That cases of
lying, so common to children especialy when
uninstructed, have been few, & far between.—That
Vulgar & obscene expressions are of rare occurence in and about our schools.
And
profanity that wicked & debasing crime which a few years ago stalked abroad with unblushing front, has mostly not to say entirely shrunk from the light, that
mental & moral cultivation is sheding around our public schools.
And the few
exceptions which your Corn have been called to notice are from that class of
large boys who from necessity in some cases—but from choice in most, have attended school but a small portion of their time.
By way of illustration we mention with regret the cases of two large boys who for wilful disrespect to the Teacher—and disobedience of the rules of the school, have been—The
one, suspended for two days—The other expelled until he should be willing to change entirely his course.—and yield implicitly to the rules & dicipline of the school.
These boys have not returned: Nor is it desirable they should on any other terms— than those of thorough reformation.
Much as we regret
