Author H H ^ * LB o Title Imprint 16—47? RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF SILEM; TO WHICH ARE ADDED THE REGXJL^TIOIsrS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Printed by Charles W. Swasey, at No. 27 Washington Street. 1862. At a meeting of the School Committee of the City of Salem, June 30, 1 862, the following Order was passed : — Ordered, That the Eeport of the Select Committee on Rules and Regulations, with the subsequent amendments, be adopted as the Rules of this Board and the Regulations of the Public Schools, until otherwise ordered, to take effect on and after the tenth day of July next ; and that five hundred copies of the same be printed. Attest: J. Cloutman, Sec'y of School Committee. Note. After a portion of this edition had gone through the press, and with the advice of the City Solicitor, Section 21 was add- ed to Chapter 5, repealing Section 4 thereof, and perhaps modifying other Sections. • \ q9^ ^ INDEX Accounts, pages 6, 11 ^ Adjournment, 12, 13 Age of Pupils 0.19, 23 \ Amendments to Rules & Reg's, 14, 15 Attendance of Pupils, 29 Bible, Reading of the, 27 Books, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17, 18, 28, 32 Buildings and Grounds, 8, 10, 30 Chairman, 4. 5 Chairman, Duties and Pow- ers of, 6, 12, 13, 15, 25 Chairmen of Visiting Com- mittees, 5, 7 — 10 City Council, 11 Classification, 23, 31 College, Pupils fitting for, . . . .22, 24 Committees, Select 13, 14 Committees, Standing, 5, 14, 15 Diplomas, 24 Discipline, 8, 27, 28, 32 Districts, 9, 29 Examinations,. 8, 9, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32 Executive Com'tee,. .5, 10, 11, 17, 18 Expenditures 10, 14 Fuel, &c., Supply of, 10 Grammar Schools,. . .7, 20, 21, 22, 30 Health of Pupils, 26, 30 High School 7,22,23,26,27 Holidays 25 Hours of Attendance, 25, 26, 27 Intermediate Schools, 7, 19, 30 Janitors 10, 11 Mayor, 4, 5, 10 Meetings of the Board, . . 6, 7, 12, 18 Messenger, 5,7 Morals, 27 Order, Questions of, 14 Organization of the Board, . .4, 5, 6 Oversight of Schools, 8, 31 Parents, &c.. Complaints from, ...9 Physical Exercises, 30 Pres't of Common Council, 4, 5, 10 Primary Schools, 7, 19, 30 Punishments 8, 28, 31 Pupils, Admission of.. 19— 23, 28, 29 Pupils, Suspension and Ex- pulsion of 28, 29 Pupils, Transfer of. 20, 29 Quorum, 2, 12, 15 Recess 25, 26, 30 Reconsideration, 13 Records, 6, 7, 9, 12, 18, 22, 31 Register 23, 31 Regulations of Schools, 11, 14, 19—32 Reports, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15 Returns, 8, 10, 31 Rules of the Board, 5 — 18 Salaries, 11, 16, 17 Secretary, 5, 6, 12 Sex of Pupils, 20, 22 Special Committees,.. 8, 10, 17, 26, 31 Studies, 9, 19—24, 30, 31 Substitutes, 16, 32 Suspension of Rules & Reg's, 14, 15 Teachers, Appointment and Salaries of, 11, 15, 16, 17 Teachers, Assignment of. .20, 21 — 24 Teachers, Duties & Powers of, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 26—32 Terms, 24 Time, Arrangement of, 24 — 26 Vacations, 25—27 Vaccination, 30 Visitation of Schools, 8, 9 s^isit'g Committees, 5, 7—9, 11, 15, 31 Vqtes, 2, 13, 14, 15 The following extract from an amendment to the City Charter, which was adopted Nov. 8, 1858, shows the manner in which the Board of School Committee of Salem is constituted : « " Sect. 2. The school committee shall consist of twenty, three of whom shall be elected by the legal voters of each ward, in man- ner as follows : — At the next annual municipal election, each ward shall elect three school committee men, one of whom shall serve three years, one, two years, and one, one year; * =* * =^ * * and in each succeeding year, at the annual municipal election, each ward shall elect one school committee man, who shall serve three years ; and the ward clerk shall, within twenty-four hours, deliver to each person so chosen a certificate of his election, and shall forthwith deliver to the city clerk a certified copy of the record of the election ; and if it shall happen that there is a failure of an elec- tion, or if the person or persons so elected shall refuse to serve, such person or persons refusing to serve shall communicate in writing his refusal to the city clerk ; and the mayor and aldermen shall thereupon, as soon as may be, issue a warrant for a new election ; and if there shall be a vacancy in such committee, by reason of the death, resignation or removal from the city, or otherwise, of any member of the school committee, the mayor and aldermen shall thereupon issue their warrant for an election, to be held in the ward where such vacancy occurs, to fill the remainder of the time which such member had to serve. The mayor and president of the common council shall be members ex-officiis of the school commit- tee, and the mayor shall be chairman of the board. Such school committee shall have the same powers and perform the same duties, as they now have and perform by law." a. Gen. Stat. ch. 88, §41. UTILES OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. CHAPTER I. OBGANIZATION OF THE BOARD. Section 1. The Mayor sball be Chairman of the Board, as provided in the City Charter,** and in case of his absence or his disability from any cause, all his powers and duties herein conferred shall devolve upon the President of the Common Council, or upon the Chairman of the First, Sec- ond or Third Visiting Committee, who shall have precedence according to the above order. Sec. 2. At the organization of the Board, and when- ever thereafter the office becomes vacant, a Secretary shall be appointed by ballot, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board. ^ Sec. 3. The City Messenger shall be Messenger of the Board. ^ Sec. 4. Three Visiting Committees and an Executive Committee shall be the Standing Committees of the Board. a. City Charter, amended, 1858, §2. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §22. c. City Ordinance of 1862. 6 CHAPTER II. DUTIES OF OFFICERS. Section 1. The Chairman shall preside, when present, at meetings of the Board; shall receive all communications, and sign all documents in their behalf." He shall be au- thorized to call special meetings of the Board, and shall be required to do so upon the request of any three members. He shall always call a special meeting as soon as may be after the annual election of members, for the purpose of or- ganization. It shall also be his duty to call the attention of the Board from time to time to any subjects coming within the sphere of their duties. Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Secretary^ to keep a permanent record of all the votes, orders, and proceedings of the Board, with a separate record of all accounts passed by the Board, completing the record of each meeting on the day succeeding that on which said meeting was held ; to preserve files of all communications addressed to the Board, and of all Reports of Committees; to notify all meetings of the Board, and of the several Committees, by causing a written notification to be left by the Messenger at the resi- dence of each member ; to cause to be printed, as soon as may be after the organization of the Board, a list of the members thereof, with the schools to the charge of which they are specially assigned, and to furnish copies of the same to members of the Board and Principals of the schools ; and to perform such other clerical duties as the Board may from a. Gen. Stat. ch. 40, §11. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §22, and City Ordinances Kevised, p. 46, and City- Ordinances of 1862. time to time direct, ** He shall not suffer any record or paper to be taken from his custody except by order of the Board. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Messenger to cause the rooms, assigned for the use of the Board and its sub- committees, to be in readiness for their meetings ; to deliver all notifications, documents, and messages; and to per- form all duties appropriate to his office, as he may be di- rected by the Chairman, Secretary, or any member of the several Committees. CHAPTER III. VISITING COMMITTEES. Section 1. As soon as may be after the annual organiza. tion, three Visiting Committees shall be appointed by the Chairman, in such manner that each elective member of the Board may be a member of one Visiting Committee, and of not more than one. The First Visiting Committee shall consist of two or more members, who shall have charge of the High School. The Second Visiting Committee shall consist of seven or more members, who shall have charge of the Grammar Schools. The Third Visiting Committee shall consist of seven or more members, who shall have charge of the Intermediate and Primary Schools. Sec. 2. The several Visiting Committes, as soon as may be after their appointment, shall elect Chairmen by ballot. Sec. 3. The Chairman of each Visiting Committee shall a. Gen. Stat. ch. 40, §11. 8 assign to each school a sub-committee, of one or more menr- bers, to be styled the Special Committee of that school. Sec. 4, <* It shall be the duty of each member to main- tain a constant oversight of the school or schools placed under his charge. For this purpose, and with a view to ascertain- ing that the scholars are properly supplied with books, he shall, in conformity with the laws of the Commonwealth, visit such school or schools on some day during the first two weeks, and on some day during the last two weeks of each term, and also at least once in each month, without giving previous notice to the teachers. He shall, at such visits, make a careful examination of such school or schools, inquire into the regulation and discipline thereof, the habits and pro- ficiency of the scholars therein, the organization and methods of instruction adopted, the condition of the school houses, grounds, out-buildings and fences, and generally shall ac- quaint himself with all causes operating favorably or in- juriously upon the welfare of the school or schools under his supervision. He shall receive the semi-annual returns from the Principal, and, after examining the same, shall forward them to the Chairman of the Visiting Committee, together with such comments on the condition of the school or schools as his acquaintance therewith shall suggest. He shall be expected to visit other schools than those under his special charge, as often as his convenience will permit. It shall also be his duty to give his advice to the teachers in matters of importance, to make careful inquiry into every case of misconduct formally reported by a Principal, and to prescribe in writing the penalty to which, in every such case, a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §26; ch. 40, §§2,4,5,6,9; ch. 42, §2; and ch. 41, §2. 9 the offending scholar shall be subjected ; and also to receive the complaints of parents, masters, or guardians, against teachers for undue severity or neglect in the treatment of scholars, and to present such complaints to the Board, in writing, whenever he shall deem the same of sufficient im- portance to require investigation.^ In all cases his decision shall be subject to the revision of the Board, upon the application either of the parent, master, or guardian of the offending scholar, or of the teacher. Sec. 5. The Chairmen of the several Visiting Commit- tees shall appoint Examinations of the Schools under their care during the last month of each School Year; and shall cause a notice of the time and place of each examination to be given to every member of the Board. The Chair- men shall attend the Examinations, and shall visit every school in their respective divisions at least once in each term. They shall also prepare, or cause to be prepared, the An- nual Reports upon the schools under their care; which Reports shall be laid before the Visiting Committees as soon as may be after the Examinations, and, when approved, shall be submitted to the Board, Sec. 6. It shall be the general duty of the several Visiting Committees to recommend Text-books * and Studies ; to prescribe the form of Record Books'^ to be used in the several schools; to decide upon the manner of conducting Examinations, and to assign the limits of the district per- taining to each school.^ a. 8 Cush. Rep'ts, 160. 23 Pick'g do,, 224. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, §§10, 11, 12. b. Gen, Stat, ch, 38, §28, c. Post ch. vii, §3, and Eegulations of the Schools. d. Gen, Stat, ch, 38, §40, and ch. 41, §3, 10 Sec. 7. The Special Committee of each school is author- ized to expend a sum of money not to exceed ten dollars per annum, for incidental expenses of said school. CHAPTER IV. EXEODTTIVE COMMITTEE. Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Mayor and President of the Common Council and the Chair- men of the several Visiting Committees. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be as follows : 1. To prepare, and cause to be printed and distributed, blank forms for the semi-annual Returns of the Principals, and to prepare the Annual Report and the Annual Returns and Certificate required by law to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Board of Education.** 2. To consider and report upon the expediency of alter- ing or repairing school-houses, and to superintend such special alterations and repairs as may be authorized by the Board ; and to provide for all slight repairs which may re- quire immediate attention. 3. To supply fuel and all necessary articles of furniture and stationery ; to appoint Janitors to take charge of school- houses at such rate of compensation as shall be authorized by the Board, such Janitors to be amenable to the Special Committees of the respective schools. 4. To procure a supply of such books, maps, and apparatus, to be used in the schools, as it may be necessary to furnish at the expense of the city.* a. Gen. Stat. ch. 34, §3, and ch. 40, §§2, 4, 5, 6, 9. h. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §29. 4 Cushing's Reports, p. 599. 11 5. To receive and audit all accounts against the Board, and to cause a roll of such accounts as may have been ex- amined and approved by them to be laid before the Board at each regular meeting. 6. To recommend to the Board the Salaries to be paid to Teachers and Janitors, and to prepare and report estimates of all appropriations which may be required for the use of the School Committee, and to present the same, when ap- proved by the Board, for the consideration of the City Council, on or before the fourth Monday in April. 7. To decide upon the application of teachers and scholars to be relieved from the enforcement of the Regula- tions in extraordinary cases, in which the application is ac- companied by the written recommendation of a member of a Visiting Committee. 8. To devise and recommend, in their annual or special reports, all such measures as they shall deem adapted to promote the economy, efficiency, and advancement of the system of public instruction. Sec. 2. The Annual Report shall comprise copies of or extracts from the Annual Reports of the Executive and Visiting Committees, with such other matter as may be deemed proper, and shall, after being approved by the Board, be prepared in sufficient season to be duly transmitted to the Secretary of the Board of Education, together with the An- nual Certificate and Return required by Law.* Sec. 3. The Executive Committee shall regularly meet once in each month, at such times as they shall appoint; and a. Gen. Stat. ch. 40, §6. 12 shall bold special meetings whenever the Chairman, at his own instance, or upon the request of any member, shall direct the Secretary to notify the same; and three members shall constitute a quorum. CHAPTER V. MEBTlWaS OF THE BOARD. Section 1. The Board shall meet regularly on the third Monday of each month, at such hour as the Chairman may appoint. Special meetings shall be held at such times as the Board may order ; or whenever the Chairman may direct, as provided in Chapter II. Sec. 2. The Chairman shall declare the meeting adjourned at 10 o'clock P. M., whenever the Board may be in session at that hour. Sec. 3. At each meeting the Board shall come to order precisely at the time appointed, when, after reading the record of the preceding meeting, the Secretary shall call the roll and record the names of the members present. Sec. 4. One-half of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Sec. 5. Every motion shall be. reduced to writing, if any member of the Board so request. Sec. 6. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received but to adjourn ; to lay on the tahle ; for the previous question ; to postpone to a day certain ; to commit; to amend; ox to postpone indefinitely ; which sev- eral motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are above named. 13 Sec. 7. A motion to adjourn shall be always in order, unless a member has the floor, or a question has been put and not decided ; and shall be decided without debate ; -pro- vided that any member, who wishes to introduce new busi- ness, may state briefly his desire before the question is put on the motion to adjourn. Sec. 8. No member shall speak more than once, nor longer than ten minutes, on any question, until every mem- ber who chooses has spoken thereon. Sec. 9. Every member, being present when the question is put, shall vote thereon; unless the Board, for special reasons given before the vote is taken, shall excuse him. Sec. 10. The vote on any question shall be taken by yeas and nays, whenever one-third of the members present so require. Sec. 11. The Chairman shall vote in all cases of ballot; and whenever the Board is equally divided ; whenever his vote, if given with the minority, would defeat a measure ; and on proposed changes in books. Sec. 12. While a main question is still pending, any subsidiary vote relating thereto may be re-considered by the vote of a majority of the members present. But, when the main question has been decided, no motion to reconsider the same shall be made, except at the same meeting, or at the next meeting in pursuance of a notice given at the same meeting; and only one motion to reconsider any vote may be made at any one meeting. Sec. 13. All Select Committees shall be appointed by the Chair, unless, in any case, the Board otherwise order. 14 Sec. 14. Select Committees may, at the option of the Board, be appointed to consider and report upon any prop- ositions which are referable to Standing Committees under these Rules. Sec. 15. Whenever a Committee, to whom any subject has been referred, neglect to report within one month, or at the time at which they were instructed to report, the Board may proceed to act with regard to the subject referred without further delay. If a report recommend any specific action on the part of the Board, it shall do so in the form of an order or resolution. The acceptance of a report shall in no case be held to imply the adoption of the same or any part thereof. Sec. 16. No motion, authorizing the expenditure of a sum of money exceeding twenty-five dollars, shall be acted on at the same meeting at which it is introduced. .^^1^ Sec. 17. The consent of three fourths of the members present at any meeting shall be requisite for the suspension of any Rule of the Board, or Regulation of the Schools, unless the proposal for the same has lain on the table at least one week. Sec. 18. Any proposition involving the amendment or "" repeal of a Rule or Regulation, shall be referred to such Standing or Select Committee as the Board may designate to consider and report thereon. The proposed change shall be made, if a majority of the members present vote in favor thereof, provided that at least one week has elapsed since the proposal was made. Sec. 19. All questions of order which may arise, not 15 herein provided for, shall be decided by the Chak in accord- ance with parliamentary usage. Any member may appeal from the decision of the Chair, and such decision shall not stand, unless sustained by the vote of one-half the members present. Sec. 20. The Board shall sit with closed doors whenev- er, during the election of teachers or the transaction of other business involving the discussion of private character, one- third of the members thereof, present and voting, shall deem it advisable. Sec. 21. Eleven members shall constitute a quorum of the Board, and no official act of th§ Board shall be valid, unless sanctioned by the concurrent votes of the same num- ber.** So much of Sections 4, 17 and 18 of this Chapter, and so much of these Rules as is inconsistent herewith, is hereby repealed. CHAPTER VI. APPOIN"TMEM"T OF TEACHERS, AND THEIB SALARIES. Section 1. In July, annually, each Visiting Committee shall make a special written report, giving their opinion of the merits of the several teachers under their supervision, and shall in particular, with regard to each, recommend their continuance in office, or the contrary, as may seem best for the interests of the respective schools, except in the case of such as may have declined a reelection. They shall also recommend candidates to fill the places of those whom they do not propose for re-appointment. The Board shall then a. Gen. Stat. ch. 3, §7. 6 Metcalf's Eeports, p. 343. 5 Cush. Eep's, p. 271. 7 Gray's Eep's, p. 465. But see 13 Metcalf's Eeports, p. 504. 7 Gray's Eep's, p. 131. 16 proceed to ballot for the choice of teachers, for each school separately. Eleven votes shall be necessary to elect." Teachers chosen as provided in this Section, shall enter upon their respective duties on the first day of September following, at which time the official term of all teachers shall be deemed to have expired.* Sec, 2. Whenever a vacancy is caused by death, resig- nation, or removal, in the office of Principal of any school, the Visiting Committee having charge of the division of schools in which the vacancy exists, shall report a candidate, or candidates, to the Board, after having made proper ex- amination, in conformity with the law of the Commonwealth, <= concerning the fitness of the persons whose names are report- ed. They shall state, also, whatever they may have ascer- tained concerning the qualifications of the candidates. The Board shall then proceed to ballot, and eleven votes shall be necessary to elect." Sec. 3. Whenever a vacancy is caused by death, resig- nation, or removal,^ in the office of Sub-Principal, or Assist- ant in any school, it shall be filled by the Visiting Committee having charge of such school. For this purpose, the Chair- man of the Committee, in connection with the Special Com- mittee of the school, after advising with the Principal, shall propose a candidate or candidates for election, and a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to elect. All such ap- pointments shall be reported to the Board for approval at its next meeting, and shall no longer be valid if such approval be withheld. a. Gen. Stat. ch. 3, §7. 6 Met. Rep's, p. 343. 5 Cush. Eep's, p. 271. 7 Gray's Rep's, p. 465. Ante, ch. 5, §21. But see 18 Met. Reports, p. 504. 7 Gray's Rep's, p. 131. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38. §§23, 24, 25. 16 Mass. Rep's, p. 141. c. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§23, 24, 25. 16 Mass. Rep's, p. 141. 4 Cush., p. 601. d Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §25. 17 See. 4. Whenever a teacher m any school is temporarily absent, the Special Committee of that school shall, if circum- stances render it expedient, appoint a substitute, who shall receive, for each week of service, two per cent of the yearly salary of the absent teacher, and proportionally for parts of a week; such compensation to be paid by the permanent teacher, or from the City treasury, as the Special Committee inay direct. In the latter case the amount thus paid shall be deducted from the salary of the permanent teacher. No substitute so appointed shall continue more than one month, unless approved by the Board. Sec. 5. In April, annually, the Executive Committee shall recommend the amount of salary to be paid to each member, and the Board shall then fix the salaries for the year commencing on the first of July next ensuing.* Sec. 6. No person shall be appointed, nor permitted, to teach in any school, except as herein provided. CHAPTER VII. BOOKS. Sec. 1 If any scholar is not provided by his parent, master or guardian, with the requisite books, he shall be sup- plied therewith in the manner following :^ The Principal of the school at which such scholar attends, shall send to such parent, master or guardian, a written notice, specifying the books required, with the prices thereof, and requesting that they may be furnished forthwith ; and the notice, if returned with a certificate from the parent, master or guardian, setting forth pecuniary disability or other good reason for not com- a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §23. 4 Cushing's Eeports, p. 599. 2 Allen's do. p. 592. 7 Cushing's do. p. 478. 8 Cushing's do. p. 191. 11 Pickering's do. p. 260. Law Reporter, vol. xxii, p. 213. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §30. 18 plying with such request, shall, after being submitted to the Special Committee of the school, and approved in writing by him, be a sufficient authority to the Principal to furnish such pupil with the books therein named at the cost of the city. And a copy of such notice, if not so returned within one week from the date thereof, shall be sent by the Principal to such Special Committee, whose approval, certified thereon, shall authorize the Principal to furnish the required books as above provided. Sec. 2. The Executive Committee shall make a written contract with one or more booksellers, for a supply of the books which it may become necessary to furnish at the ex- pense of the city, stipulating therein the prices of all the books required to be used in the several schools, and pre- scribing the form in which the accounts of the booksellers shall be kept and rendered." Sec. 3. The Principal shall keep a record of all the books furnished to pupils at the expense of the city, specify- ing the names of the recipient, and the parent, master or guardian ; the title and price of each book, and the date of the delivery ; and shall furnish a copy of such record, when requested by the Committee, or by the City Clerk, for the use of the City Assessors.^ Sec. 4. Whenever any books shall be recommended by a Visiting Committee for use in the schools under its charge, such recommendation shall not be acted on at the meeting of the Board at which it is made, but shall be in order at the next meeting at which fifteen members are present. *= a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §29. 13 Pickering's Reports, p, 229. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §31, and ante., ch. iii, §6. c. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §28. Stat. 1862, ch. 57. EEaULATIOirS OP THE SCHOOLS. CHAPTER I. PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS. Section 1. The Primary Schools shall receive such chil- dren, of not less than five years of age," as are not qualified to enter a higher school, and shall be devoted to elementary instruction in Reading, Spelling, Writing, Arithmetic, Yo- cal Music, and Drawing.* Sec. 2. The Intermediate Schools shall receive the more advanced pupils from the Primaries, and others equally qualified, and shall be devoted to more thorough and practi- cal instruction in the various studies pursued in the Prima- ries, with the addition of the rudiments of Geography; hav- ing special regard to the requirements prescribed for admis- sion to the Grammar Schools.* Sec. 3. Whenever it is deemed expedient, a Primary may be united with an Intermediate School, under one Principal, who shall have the general direction of the whole, but shall give special attention to instruction in the Inter- mediate department. a. Gen. Stat. ch. 36, §3, ch. 38, §7, ch. 40, §3, and 16 Mass, Reports, 141. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §1. 10 Metcalf 's Reports, 508. 20 Sec. 4. Pupils shall be transferred from the Primary to the Intermediate Schools at the commencement of the school year, and at such other times as may seem expedient, under the direction of the Third Visiting Committee. Sec. 5. Each of these Schools shall receive pupils of both sexes, except that those occupying the same building with Grammar Schools composed of pupils of one sex, shall receive pupils of that sex only. Sec. 6. Each School shall be under the care of a female Principal, with such number of female assistants" as the Board may, at any time, consider necessary. CHAPTER II. GRAMMAB SCHOOLS. Section 1. The Grammar Schools shall be devoted to in- struction in Spelling, Reading, Writing, English Grammar, Composition, Arithmetic, Geography, History of the United States, and Good Behavior. The elements of Geometry, Book-Keeping, Physiology, Drawing, and Vocal Music, may be taught at the option of the Visiting Committee.^ Sec. 2. The Phillips, Hacker, Pickering, Browne and Bpes Schools shall each be under the care of a male Princi- pal. The three latter shall receive both boys and girls; the two former shall receive boys only. The Bentley and Hig- ginson Schools shall each be under the care of a female Principal, and shall receive girls only. a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §9. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §1. Law Keporter, Vol. xxii, p. 307. 10 Metcalf s Reports, p. 508. 21 Sec. 3. To each School shall be assigned such number of female assistants^ as the Board may, at any time, deem ne- cessary. If the circumstances of any School so require, one assistant in such School may be designated as Sub-Principal. Sec. 4. For admission into, these Schools, the candidate shall be required to read, at sight, easy prose, enunciating clearly and accurately ; to distinguish by name the several marks of Punctuation, and to have a practical knowledge of their more obvious signification and uses; to write legibly, from dictation, common words of not more than three sylla- bles, and short sentences, with due attention to Spelling, Punctuation, and the use of Capitals ; to answer promptly simple questions in the Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division of abstract numbers ; to perform mental opera- tions in Arithmetic, similar to those contained in the first six sections of Colburn's First Lessons; to write, from dictation, numbers not exceeding ten millions, and to add, subtract, and multiply, (when the multiplier does not exceed ten,) by the usual methods of written Arithmetic ; to understand the use of the Roman Numerals; and to pass a satisfactory examination in elementary Geography.* The examination of candidates for admission, shall be conducted by the Principals of the respective Grrammar Schools, in such manner as the Second Visiting Committee may direct, and shall take place on the Monday following the annual Thanksgiving Day ; but applicants may be ad- mitted at any other time who were unable to attend the reg- ular examination, and are qualified to join one of the classes. a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §9. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§12, 14. 10 Metcalf s Keports, p. 508. 22 Sec. 6. Pupils in the higher classes of the Grammar Schools, shall be furnished at least once a month, with an abstract of the record of their standing in studies and deport- ment, which shall be made up by the Teacher in accordance with a form to be prescribed by the Second Visiting Commit- tee. CHAPTER III. THE HIGH SCHOOL. Section 1. The High School shall be devoted to the in- struction of pupils of both sexes in Penmanship, Drawing, Elocution, Book-keeping, the Composition and Literature of the English and Latin Languages, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Surveying, Physiology, Botany, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, the Civil Polity of this Commonwealth and of the United States, General History, and Music. One or more teachers shall be employed therein, who shall be competent to give to pupils fitting for College, and others who may desire it, instruction in the Greek, French, Spanish, and German Languages, in Rhetoric, Logic, Natural His- tory, Geology, Astronomy, Intellectual and Moral Science, and Political Economy.** Sec. 2. There shall be an Annual Examination for ad- mission to the school on the Monday following the Annual Thanksgiving Day, and a supplementary examination on the Thursday following, for the benefit of those who for any good reason may fail to do themselves justice at the earlier trial. a. Gen. Stat, ch, 38, §§2, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 14. 10 Metcalf s Reports, p. 508, and 11 Cushing's Reports, p. 178. Law Reporter, vol. xxii, p. 307. 23 Sec, 3. The Examination « shall consist of oral exercises in Spelling, Reading and Parsing, including the theory of Punctuation ; and of written exercises in Arithmetic, English Grammar, Modern Geography, and the History of the United States; and the same shall be conducted by the Principal and his associates, under the direction of the First Visiting Committee. Sec. 4. No child under twelve years of age shall be allowed to apply, ^ nor shall any candidate be received without a written certificate of good moral character and of creditable rank from his or her last Teacher or Teachers, '' who shall also certify in writing that the pupil thus apply- ing is reasonably well qualified for admission to the School ; and all candidates who are graduates of the public Gram- mar Schools, shall present abstracts of the record of their standing in said schools. No candidate shall be examined, who does not intend to enter, if found qualified to do so. Sec. 5. All children admitted shall be regarded as on probation for the space of three months, after which, if their deportment and proficiency are approved, they shall be duly enrolled on the Register of the School."^ Sec. 6. The School shall be divided into three distinct forms, to be denominated respectively the Junior, the Mid- dle, and the Senior Classes. The course of study for each class shall continue for one year, ending with the Annual Examination in November. a. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, §4. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§7, 8, 33, ch. 41, §4. c. 8 Cushing's Reports, p. 160. 5 Cush, Rep. p. 198. d. Gen. Stat. ch. 40, §§5 and 13. ch. 41, §4. 24 Sec. 7. The course of study shall comprise, in the modern department, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trig- onometi-y. Surveying, Book-Keeping, Chemistry, Physical Geography, Botany, Astronomy, Natural History and Phi- losophy, Physiology, Penmanship and Drawing, the Composi- tion and Literature of the English and French Languages, History, the Constitution of the United States, and Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. It shall comprise, in the classical department, the Greek and Latin Languages, and Ancient History and Geography ; with the addition, in both depart- ments, of such of the studies enumerated in Section 1, or hereafter required or authorized by law," as the First Visiting Committee may from time to time direct. Any pupil who shall, with a view to entering College, or for other sufficient reasons, desire to complete the course of study in less than three years, or to continue his connection with the High School for a longer period, shall be permitted to do so by the First Visiting Committee, on written recom- mendation of the master. Every pupil, who shall upon a thorough examination prove to have creditably completed the prescribed Course of Study, and no others, shall be entitled to a Diploma at the time of graduation. Sec. 8. The officers of this School shall consist of a Master, with such assistants^ as may from time to time be authorized by the Board. CHAPTER IV. AREANGEMENT OF SCHOOL TIME. Sec, 1. The School Year shall be divided into two terms, a. Stat. 1862, ch. 7. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §9. 25 the first commencing on the Monday following the Annual Thanksgiving Day, and concluding on the Saturday preced- ing the last Wednesday in May ; the second commencing on the Monday following the last Wednesday in May, and concluding on the Saturday preceding the Annual Thanks- giving Day. Sec. 2. From April 1st to October 1st, except as pro- vided in Section 11, the school exercises shall commence in the forenoon at 8 o'clock and conclude at 11 o'clock. From October 1st to April 1st, they shall commence at 9 o'clock and conclude at 12 o'clock. The afternoon exercises shall commence at 2 o'clock and conclude at 5 o'clock throughout the year, except between November 1st and February 1st, when they shall conclude at 4 o'clock, the recess being omit- ted. Sec. 3. The regular Vacations," except as provided in Sec- tion 11, shall be as follows, viz: — The week commencing with the first Monday in March ; the week including the last Wednesday of May ; four weeks commencing with the first Monday in August; and the week including the Annual Thanksgiving Day. Sec. 4. The following Holidays shall be allowed, viz : — Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, the Twenty-Second of February, Fast Day, May Day, the Fourth of July and Christmas Day. Sec. 5. No other than the regular Vacations and Holi- days shall be allowed, except that the Chairman may, upon special occasions, close the schools for a part, or the whole, of a day : provided, also, that each school may, for reasons a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§1, 2. 26 peculiar to itself, be dismissed by order of its Special Com- mittee, for two half days in each semi-annual term, and not oftener. Sec. 6. Teachers shall in no case suspend or abridge the ordinary sessions, except for extraordinary and impera- tive reasons, alffecting the health or safety of their pupils. Sec. 7. There shall be a recess of fifteen minutes in the course of each half day's session of the schools, except as provided in Section 2, and no pupil shall be deprived of any part thereof, unless for habitual misconduct at recess. Sec. 8. Whenever it shall seem proper on account of ex- treme severity of the weather, the Principal of any school may hold but one session, to continue for four and one half hours, instead of the two usual sessions of the day. Sec. 9. In each school, all the teachers thereof shall be present, the doors shall be opened, and the pupils permitted to take their seats," at least ten minutes before the time fixed for commencing the exercises. Sec. 10. Teachers are authorized to detain their pupils beyond the regular school hours, for the purpose of disci- pline, or of additional instruction, especially in the case of omitted or imperfect lessons. Sec. 11. The High School shall hold single daily ses- sions, commencing, from March 1st to November 1st, at 8 o'clock A. M., and for the remainder of the year at 8^ o'clock A. M., and closing at 1 o'clock P. M., throughout the year. Its Summer Yacation shall comprise the six weeks immediately preceding the first Monday in September, a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§33, 36, 40, 41. 27 and its Teachers may require the attendance of pupils at such hours in the afternoon as they may appoint, whenever, under the provisions of Section 10, any considerable deten- tion becomes necessary. CHAPTER V. DISCIPLINE OF THE SCHOOLS AKTD DITTIES OF TEACHERS. Section 1. It shall be the duty of all teachers, in obedi- ence to the law of the Commonwealth, *'to exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth, committed to their care and instruction, the principles of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their country, humanity and universal benevolence ; sobriety, in- dustry, and frugality ; chastity, moderation, and temperance; and those other virtues, which are the ornament of human society, and the basis on which a republican constitution is founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to en- deavor to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear understanding of the tendency of the above mentioned virtues, to preserve and perfect a republican constitution, and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as to promote their future happiness, and also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices."" Sec. 2. The morning exercises, in all the schools, shall commence with the reading of some portion of the Bible, without written note or oral comment, by the teacher ; but no book shall be read from by any scholar, whose pa- rent or guardian shall declare that he has conscientious scru- ples against allowing him to read therefrom.* a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §10. Constitution, ch. v, §ii. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, §9. Const, amended, Art. xviii. Stat. 1862, ch. 67. 28 Sec. 3. The discipline to be maintained in the schools, shall be such as is exercised by a kind, judicious, and faith- ful parent in his family; and corporal punishment shall be avoided except in extreme cases. Sec. 4. For violent or continued opposition to authority, or for setting at defiance any of the regulations, the Princi- pal may exclude a scholar, for the time being, from school, and report the case forthwith to the Special Committee of the school, for advice and direction,** at the same time giving notice of such exclusion to the parent or guardian. When the example of any pupil is very injurious, and, in all cases where reformation appears hopeless, it shall be the duty of the said Committee to suspend such pupil from the school, and to report such action to the Board at its next meeting.^ But any child under this public censure, who shall express regret for his folly or indiscretion, as open- ly and explicitly as, in the opinion of the Committee, the nature of the case may require, and shall give satisfactory evidence of amendment, and whose parents or guardian shall promise their cooperation in the due enforcement of all the Regulations, shall, with the previous consent of said Com- mittee, be reinstated in the privileges of the school. No pupil shall be expelled from any school unless by vote of the Board. Sec. 5. To promote the well-being of their pupils, it shall be the duty of the Teachers, as far as it is practicable, to exercise a general inspection over them, as well out of school, '^ as within its walls. a. Ante, Rules, ch. iii, §4. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, H9, 10, 11, 12. 28 Pickering's Reports, p. 224. 5 Cushing's Reps. p. 198. 8 Cush. Rep. p. 160, c. 8 Cush. Reps. p. 164. 29 See. 6. As punctuality of attendance is indispensable to the success of a school, it is important to maintain the principle that necessity alone can justify absence*^ or tardiness, in every instance of which, a written excuse or personal ex- planation, stating the cause thereof, shall be required of the parent, master, or guardian. Sec. 7. No pupil shall attend school in any district other than that in which his parent or guardian resides, except upon vote of the Board in special cases. ^ But if a pupil, attend- ing school in one district, shall remove to another, he shall be permitted to continue in such school until the close of the school year. When a pupil is transferred from one school to another of the same grade, a certificate shall be furnished by the Princi- pal of the school which such pupil has attended, stating the cause of the transfer and the standing of the pupil; and upon the presentation of such certificate, such scholar shall be received into the school to which he has been transferred, and admitted to such standing as he may be able to sustain. No pupil shall be admitted to the privileges of one school who has been expelled from another, or while under sentence of suspension, unless by a vote of the Board. '^ Sec. 8. Teachers shall have constant regard to the health, comfort, and general physical welfare of their pupils, and shall encourage and enforce habits of neatness and cleanliness. Some physical exercise shall be introduced in the course of each session. During inclement weather the a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, Ul- ch. 41, §2. ch. 42, §§1, 2, 4, 6, and 7. Stat- utes, 1862, chapters 21 and 207. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, §§3, 5, 6, 7. 8 Cushing's Keports, p. 66. 12 Pick- ering's Reports, p. 206. c. 8 Cushing's Reports, p. 160. 30 pupils shall be permitted at recess to take sucb exercise and recreation as may be practicable within the school-buildings. Particular care shall be taken at all times that the rooms are properly ventilated." Any pupil who may be exposed to the influence of any contagious disease, and whose presence at school would therefore endanger the health of others, shall be suspended from school so long as may be necessary.* No child shall be admitted into, or allowed to remain in any school, without a certificate from a physician, or other satisfactory evidence, that such child has been duly vacci- nated.*^ Sec. 9. Pupils attending the Primary, Intermediate and Grammar Schools shall not be required by the teachers to study any lesson or perform any task out of school, except in cases of culpable neglect of such lesson or task during school hours. Sec. 10. Teachers shall have a general oversight of the school-houses, out-buildings, and grounds, and shall give immediate notice to the Special Committee, whenever any injuries have been committed, or repairs are needed.^ The pupils shall be held responsible for any damage they may do to the school-buildings or grounds. Sec. 11. In every school the Register prescribed by the law of the Commonwealth shall be faithfully kept, together with all such Class-Books and other Records as may be pre- scribed by the Visiting Committee.^ a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §36. b. 5 Cushing's Keports, p. 198. c Gen. Stat, ch. 41, §8. d. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, ^36, 40. 41. Ordinance, 1857, as to Snow. e. Gen. Stat. ch. 36, §3. ch. 38, §31. ch. 40, §§5, 13. ^/i«e, Ku les, ch. vii, §3. 2 Allen's Eeports, p. 592. 31 See. 12. In every school a Record shall be kept in which every case of Corporal Punishment shall be entered, ■with the pupil's name, the offence, the date, the mode and degree of punishment ; and such record shall be subject to inspection by members of the Committee only. It shall be preserved until the Committee otherwise order, and an ab- stract thereof shall be included in the semi-annual return. Sec. 13. At the close of each term the Principal^ of each school shall carefully fill up a semi-annual Return, of which a blank form shall have been furnished by the Execu* tive Committee," and shall deliver the same to the Special Committee of the school, on or before the day immediately succeeding the close of each term. Sec. 14. The Principals of the several schools shall, in addition to the duties of instruction in their special depart- ments, maintain a careful general oversight of the whole of their respective schools; shall assign to each assistant such duties as may seem proper; shall regulate the classification and promotion of the pupils, and assign the studies and other exercises of the several classes; and shall examine all the classes as often as practicable. They shall keep their respective Special Committees fully informed of all matters affecting the character and welfare of their schools; shall afford every facility that may be required for the purpose of examination ; and shall lend such assistance to the Commit- tee in the performance of their official duties as may inci- dentally be in their power. The Sub-Principals and Assistants in each school shall be under the direction of the Principal, with whom they shall a. Ante, Kules, ch. iv, §1. 32 cooperate in all things pertaining to discipline and instrue- tion. They shall be responsible for the order and instruc- tion of their respective divisions, and shall discipline their own pupils, except in extreme cases of disorder. Sec. 15. No teacher shall be absent during school hours, except with the approbation of the Special Committee of the school. ^ny teacher who is necessarily absent from duty, shall give immediate notice to the Special Committee, in order that a substitute may be employed, if necessary. Teachers shall in no case appoint substitutes." Sec. 16. No person shall, within the school buildings or grounds, and no teacher^ shall at any time, sell any book, map, or other article of school apparatus or stationery, to any pupil of the Public Schools. Sec. 17. No person shall, without the permission of the Special Committee, read or distribute any advertisement, or give notice in any way, to the pupils of any school, of books or other articles for sale, or of any public exhibition or per- formance ; nor enter any school for the purpose of exhibit- ing, either to teacher or pupils, any new book or article of apparatus, or to address the school; nor shall subscrip- tions or contributions, for any purpose whatever, be permit- ted in any public school. Sec. 18. No text book shall be used in any school, un- less directed to be used by a vote of the Board.'' a. Ante, Rules, ch. vi, §4, b. 13 Pickering's Reports, 229. c. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §28. Statutes, 1862, ch. 57, and Ante, §2.