f I pot§derrc? * & fyoprracul ■$ •C®> M. ©fyz>oi. A State Normal and Training School, Potsdam, N. Y. ^ \^^ ;:U;;. o CIRCULAR -OF THE- State Normal and Training School — AT— POTSDAM, ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N. Y. State of New York, Department of Public Instruction, Superintendent 's Office, Albany, January i, i8go. ) To School Commissioners and City Superintendents of Schools: Your attention is respectfully invited to the follow- ing announcement relating to the State Normal and Training School at Potsdam. DESIGN OF SCHOOL. The design of the School is to furnish competent teachers for the Public Schools of the State. A PPOINTMENTS. All appointments for admission are made by the State Superintendent-of Public Instruction, subject to the required examination, upon the recommendation of the several School Commissioners or City Superintend- ents of Schools, whose duty it is to extend information upon the subject, and to use all reasonable means to secure the selection of suitable candidates. 4 CIRCULAR OF THE at a time not later than fifteen days before the opening of the term. Recommendations should be made as early as practicable, and be mailed promptly to the Superintendent of Public Instruction at Albany. It is suggested that Commissioners advertise where they will meet and examine applicants for appointment Recommendations need not be limited to any pre- scribed number, but encouragement should be given to worthy and aspiring young men and women, who are qualified, and intend to make teaching their voca- tion, to attend this school. ADMISSION. To gain admission to the School, pupils must be at least sixteen years of age, and must possess good health, good moral characters and average abilities. They must be able to spell correctly ; to pronounce, in reading, accurately and readily, words in common use; to write neatly and legibly; to pass a thorough examination up- on descriptive and mathematical geography; U. S. history and such an examination upon arithmetic and grammar (including analysis of sentences) as to show that they will be able to review and complete those studies in one term. Each pupil must also upon enter- ing the school sign the following pledge to teach: "We, the undersigned, having received (or expecting to receive) appointments to the State Normal and Training School at Potsdam, N. Y., hereby declare upon honor, First — That our purpose in coming to this School is to prepare our- selves to teach; and Second — That it is our present intention to teach in the Public Schools of this State for a reasonable length of time." In the judgment of the State Superintendent, a "rea- sonable length of time" is a period as long as that dur- ing which the student has been in the Normal School POTSDAM NORMAL SCHOOL. 5 SPECIAL PRIVILEGES OF PUPILS. No charge is made for tuition or for the use of text books. Students will be held responsible, however, for books lost or injured. They are advised to bring with them, for reference, any suitable books they may have. The amount of fare necessarily paid on public conveyances in coming to the school will be refunded to full Normal Students who remain a full term. FORM OF RECOMMENDATION. To the Superintendent of Public Instruction: I hereby recommend of in the county of aged years, as possessing the health, scholarship, mental ability and moral character requisite for an appointment to the State Normal and Training School at Potsdam. School Commissioner of the County Date TERMS AND VACATIONS. The year is divided into two terms of twenty weeks each. The Fall term commences on the first Wednes- day in September, and the Spring term on the first Wednesday in February. All pupils should be present promptly at the opening of the term. The examination for admission and classification will commence on Wednesday; and a failure on the part of candidates to be present at that time will subject them and the teachers to the inconvenience of a private examination. CIRCULAR OF THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION ELEMENTARY ENGLISH COURSE. Students to be admitted to this Course must be able to spell cor- rectly; to pronounce, in reading, accurately and readily, words in common use; to write neatly and legibly; to pass a thorough examina- tion upon descriptive and mathematical geography and U. S. History; and such an examination upon arithmetic and grammar (including analysis of sentences) as to show that they will be able to review and complete these studies in one term. FIRST YEAR— FIRST QUARTER. (D.) Arithmetic, Grammar, Botany, Composition, Vocal Music, Drawing, Calisthenics. SECOND QUARTER. (D.) Arithmetic, Grammar, Physiography, Composition, Vocal Music Drawing, Calisthenics. THIRD QUARTER. (C.) Algebra, Physiology, Rhetoric, Reading, Civics and School Law, Vocal Music, Drawing, Calisthenics. FOURTH QUARTER. (C.) Algebra, Zoology, Rhetoric, Elocution, School Economy, Vocal Music, Drawing, Calisthenics. SECOND YEAR— FIRST QUARTER. (B.) History and Philosophy of Education, Science Methods, Language Methods, Primary Methods, Observation, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. SECOND QUARTER. (B.) History and Philosophy of Education, Grammar Methods, Arithmetic Methods, Geography Methods, Observation, Vocal Music Methods, Drawing Methods, Rhetorical Work. THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS. (A.) Teaching in the Schools of Practice, Course of Reading and Discussions connected with professional work. POTSDAM NORMAL SCHOOL. 7 ADVANCED ENGLISH COURSE. Students to be admitted to this Course must pass a satisfactory ex- amination in all the studies in the first year of the Elementary English Course. FIRST YEAR— FIRST QUARTER. (D.) Algebra, Geometry, Geology, General History, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. SECOND QUARTER. (D.) Algebra, Geometry, Geology, General History, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. THIRD QUARTER. (C.) Geometry, Physics, Astronomy, English Literature, Chemistry, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. FOURTH QUARTER. (C.) Geometry, Physics, English Literature, Chemistry, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. SECOND YEAR. Same as the second year of the Elementary English Course, with elocution in the first quarter. SCIENTIFIC COURSE. This course is the same as the Advanced English Course, with the addition of two years' study of any two of the languages, Latin, Greek, German and French. CLASSICAL COURSE. Students to be admitted to this Course must pass a satisfactory ex- amination in all the studies in the first year of the Elementary English Course. FIRST YEAR— FIRST QUARTER. (F.) Algebra, Latin, Geology, General History, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. SECOND QUARTER. (F.) Algebra, Latin, Astronomy, General History, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. THIRD QUARTER, (E.) Geometry, Latin, Natural Philosoph)-, English Literature, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. 8 CIRCULAR OF THE FOURTH QUARTER. (E.) Geometry, Latin, Natural Philosophy, English Literature, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. SECOND YEAR— FIRST QUARTER. (D.) Geometry, German, French or Greek, Latin, Civics and School Law, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. SECOND QUARTER. (D.) Geometry, German, French or Greek, Latin, School Economy, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. THIRD QUARTER. (C.) Latin, German, French or Greek, Chemistry, History and Philosophy of Education, Science Methods, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. FOURTH QUARTER. (C.) Latin, German, French or Greek, Chemistry, History and Philosophy of Education, Arithmetic Methods, Vocal Music, Drawing, Rhetorical Work. THIRD YEAR— FIRST QUARTER. (B.) Latin, German, French or Greek, Language Methods, Primary Methods, Observation, Discussions, Elocution. SECOND QUARTER. (B.) Latin, German, French or Greek, Geographry Methods, Grammar Methods, Discussions, Teaching in the Schools of Practice. THIRD QUARTER. (A.) Latin, German, French or Greek, Teaching in the Schools of Practice, Course of Reading connected with Professional Woik. FOURTH QUARTER, (A.) Latin, German, French or Greek, Teaching in the Schools of Practice, Course of Reading connected with Professional Work. N. B. — Botany is studied the first quarter in the Fall and the fourth quarter in the Spring. Physical Geography and Astronomy are changed accordingly. Rhetorical work once each week. Music and Drawing twice each week. Calisthenics ever}' term throughout all the courses. POTSDAM NORMAL SCHOOL. 9 DIPLOMAS. Students who satisfactorily complete any one of the above Courses will receive corresponding Diplomas, which will serve as licenses to teach in the Public Schools of the State. It will be seen by the preceding Courses of Study that Students who have thoroughly mastered the sub- jects named in the first year of the Elementary English Course, can in two years complete the Advanced En- glish Course, in two and a half years the Scientific, or in three years the Classical Course. Students possessing the requisite age and qualifica- tions may be admitted to any class on examination; but no person can graduate from any of the prescribed Courses without passing through the last two terms of that Course. ADVANCED STANDINGS. After the preliminary examinations for admission have been passed, pupils maybe admitted to Advanced Standings on passing satisfactory examinations in the branches of study laid down in the curriculum. A pu- pil passing any branch in this way, will not be required to take it in the school. Satisfactory evidence of thorough scholarship in all that is required in any branch will be received and pu- pils will be passed out of such subjects without ex- amination. In all science subjects nothing but laboratory work will be accepted. In mathematical subjects the reason for every step must be understood. Mere ability to work examples is not sufficient. In grammar and rhet- oric mere rules and definitions will not suffice. Ability to analyze thought and write correctly are indispensa- 10 CIRCULAR OF THE ble. Pupils who are so advanced without examination will, if on trial found deficient, be required to take up the branches in the school. Thorough, careful prepa- ration in the various branches is indispensable in order to take up the discussion of methods successfully, and it is always unfortunate for any one to be passed who has not such preparation. Pupils who contemplate being passed up in this way should bring certificates from their teachers, stating quite definitely the charac- ter and extent of the knowledge gained. CONCLUSION. Allow me to urge you to use all proper means to extend information in regard to this school, that per- sons who possess requisite qualifications may be in- duced to participate in its benefits. Your experience must bear witness that the greatest need of the Com- mon Schools is the acquisition of more teachers who are thoroughly qualified ; and I confidently trust that you will give a cheerful and prompt response to this for your official action. A. S. DRAPER, Supt. of Public Instruction. POTSDAM NORMAL SCHOOL. 11 GENERAL INFORMATION. LOCAL BOARD. HENRY WATKINS, A. M., President. J. G. McINTYRE, A. M., Sec. Hon. GEO. Z. ERWIN, A.M.,Treas. JESSE REYNOLDS. M. D., ROSWELL G. PETTIBONE, A. M., Hon. JOHN I.GILBERT, LL.D., Gen.E.A.MERRITT, LL.D., WM. A. POSTE, A. M., A. G. GAINES, D. D. FACULTY. T. B. Stowell, A. M.,Ph. D., Principal. History and Phil, of Education Amelia Morey, Preceptress English Language and Methods Warren Mann, A. M Natu?al Science and Methods Edward W. Flagg, A. B History, English Literature and Rhetoric Ida B. Steyer '. French and German Jane F. Butrick, Principal Primary Department Primary Methods Clara M. Russell, Principal Intermediate Dept. . .Geography Methods J. Ettie Crane Vocal Music and Methods Fred L. Dewey, A. M Greek and Latin Freeman H. A~lj,en. Arithmetic, American History, Botany and Methods Minnie R. Lucas Reading, Elocution. Calisthenics and Methods A. W. Morehouse, A. M Mathematics, Geology and Methods Eliza Kellas Composition, Preparatory Branches and Methods Alice M . Burn, A. B Drawing and Methods Sarah V. Chollar. .Civics, School Law, Preparatory Branches, Methods F. E. Hathorne Piano, Organ, Harmony Mrs. F. E. Hathorne Assistant Piano Henry A. Watkins Leader of Orchestra Grace T. Howe Assistant Vocal Music George A. White .Janitor. ORGANIZATION. i. The School is divided into four departments — Normal, Academic, Intermediate and Primary. In the Normal Department are four Courses of Study : Elementary English, occupying two years ; Advanced English, three years ; Scientific, three and a half years ; and Classical, four years. 12 CIRCULAR OF THE In the Academic Department are four Courses of Study. (See Academic Department.) The Intermediate Department comprises four grades, and the Primary five grades. There is also a Musical Conservatory, affording stu- dents ample opportunities for instruction in vocal and instrumental music. 2. Every Saturda}^ 22d of February, Memorial Day, Annual Thanksgiving and the following Friday, and all Thanksgivings and Fast-days authorized by the National and State governments are regarded as holi- days. LOCATION. The School is located in the beautiful village of Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., on the Rome, Wa- tertown & Ogdensburg R.R., six miles from Norwood, on the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain R. R. The facilities of the School are largely increased by the recent expenditure on the part of the State. The buildings and surroundings are put in complete sani- tary condition, There is a commodious Gymnasium on the first floor of the new building. The entire building is heated by steam and thoroughly ventilated. The boilers are placed in a separate structure con- structed especially for the purpose. The village of Potsdam has expended a large sum of money in surface drainage and sewerage, and no vil- lage in Northern New York possesses superior advan- tages as regards healthfulness. BOARDING AND EXPENSES. Board can be obtained in private families, including washing, fuel and lights, at rates varying from $2.50 to $4.00 per week. Students desiring to board themselves can obtain convenient and furnished rooms at from $ .50 to $1.00 per week. POTSDAM NORMAL SCHOOL. 13 Students should reach Potsdam the day before the opening of the term and go directly to the Normal School building, where they will be advised in regard to boarding places. All boarding places must be approved by the Prin- cipal. Books Recommended for a Course of Reading, Pupils will always find it to their advantage to read some of the authors named in this list before entering the Normal School, as a preparation to do intelligently and profitably the work in rhetoric and literature that will be required of them. The order of preference in regard to authors and books is indicated by the list. I. — Dickens' History of England; Abbott's Elizabeth; Richard III.; William the Conqueror; Shakespeare's King John; Scott's Kenil- worth; Scott's Ivanhoe; Thackeray's Four George's; Thackeray's Hen- ry Esmond. II — Higginson's U. S. History; Kingsley's Westward, Ho; Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin; Cooper's Last of the Mohicans; Longfellow's Miles Standish; Irving's Knickerbocker. III. — Hawthorne's Tanglewood Tales, and Wonder Book; Stories from Iliad and Odyssey; Stories from the Grecian Dramatists; Meri- vale's History of Rome; Cox's History of Greece; Plutarch's Lives; Froude's Caesar; Trollope's Cicero; Bulwer's Last Days of Pompeii; Eber's Uarda; Macaulay's Lays of Ancient Rome. IV. — Hugo's Les Miserables; Taylor's Faust; George Eliot's Rom- ola; Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield; Dickens' Tale of Two Cities; Warner's Back Log Studies; Holmes' Autocrat of the Breakfast Table; Longfellow's Evangeline; Alford's Queen's English; Moon's Dean's English; Miller's My Schools and Schoolmaster's; Milton's Paradise Lost; Emerson's Representative Men; Lamb's Stories from Shakes- peare; Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables; Yonge's History of France; Yonge's History of Germany. Libraries and Reading Room. The School is supplied with a complete text book and reference library, containing the works used in the School and those needed for reference. Normal Stu- dents are furnished with text books free. 14 CIRCULAR OF THE There is a Library connected with the School con- taining upwards of 2,000 volumes ; also a Reading Room supplied with daily newspapers, a large number of weeklies, the leading magazines of the day, and educational periodicals. Literary Societies. There are four Literary Societies connected with the School : the Francis Baconian and the Roger Ba- conian, meeting on Friday evenings, sustained by the gentlemen; the Alpha and the Calliopean, meeting on Saturday evenings, sustained by the ladies. Their regular weekly exercises consist of debates, declamations, select readings, essays, music, etc. Public exercises are held once each term in which members of the four Societies participate. Musical Society. The Euterpean Society, sustained by members of the Conservatory of Music, meets Monday evenings for the rendering- and interpretation of standard music, the study of the life and works of classic and modern composers, with discussions and criticisms of various musical topics. Alumni Association. The graduates of the School have organized an Alumni Association, designed to foster proper senti- ments for each other and the School, and the better to assist each other in procuring situations. It has a con- stitution and by-laws providing for active and honor- ary members, for regular meetings, and for an annual lecture before the Association. Students' Christian Association. A weekly prayer meeting is sustained and conducted by the pupils. A White Cross Society holds weekly meetings. POTSDAM NORMAL SCHOOL. 15 Discipline. The discipline of the School is based upon the larg- est liberty, but not license. Pupils Avho do not wish to do good and faithful work are not desired. This Insti- tution is dedicated to study, and only those who are students find it a pleasant place. We believe that where little is required from pupils much should be expected. Personal discipline is placed among the most important things to be accomplished by a Normal student. Academic Department. The Academic Department is open for pupils who wish to take the Academic studies of the School, but who do not wish to become teachers. In this depart- ment there are four Courses: a Course Preparatory for College, embracing such studies as are required for admission to college; and Scientific, Classical and En- glish Courses, corresponding to the same Courses of the Normal Department, with the omission of the pro- fessional work of Methods and Practice. Pupils grad- uating from either of these Courses are entitled to a Diploma on payment of five dollars for the same. TUITION. Higher English Studies and Languages, per qr. $7.00. Elementary English, " $6.00. Students pursuing less than three Academic studies will be charged $2.00 per quarter for each Elementary English study, and $2.50 per quarter for each Higher English study, Latin, Greek, German, French, Music or Drawing. For special information call on or address T. B. STOWELL, Principal. 16 CIRCULAR OF THE PROGRAM OF DAILY EXERCISES. Classes. 1st Period. Music. D. Drawing, Calisthenics. D. ELEMENTARY ENGLISH. FORENOON. Sd Period. 3d Period. 4th Period. Sec. Div. Composition. First Div. Botany. Arithmetic. Physiography. AFTERNOON. 5th Period. 6th Period. Rhetoric. Civics & Sch: Music. Read'g 1st Qr. Slocu. Jst Qr. Law 1st Qr. Drawing:. Elocu. 2d Qr. Kead'g 2d Qr. Sch. Econ. 2d Qr- Calisthenics. Gram. Algebra. Sec. Div. Arithmetic. First Div. Compositiou. Physiology 1st Qr, Zoology 2d Qr. ADVANCED ENGLISH. Geology. Mineralogy. Music . Drawing. Calisthenics. Music. Geometry. Drawing. Calisthenics. Geometry. Trigonometry. Gen, History Astronomy. Ad. Algebra. Astronomy. Chemistry. Eng. Literature. Trigonometry. SCIENTIFIC AND CLASSICAL. F. Geology. Mineralogy. Latin. Music. Drawing. Calisthenics, Gen Hist. Astronomy. Ad. Algebra. E. Music. Drawing. Calisthenics. Geometry. Latin. Physics . Eng. Literature, I». Music. Drawing. Calisthenics. Civics & Sch. Law 1st Qr. Sch. Econ. 2dQr. Geometry. Trigonometry 1st Qr. Greek, French. German. Latin. C. Greek . Latin. Chemistry. Hist, k Philos. of Education. French. Prim. Meth. 1st Qr. Sci. Meth. 2d Qr. German. PROFESSIONAL. B. Lang. Meth. 1st. Qr. Gram. Meth. 2dQr. German. Geog. Meth, 1st Qr. Arith. Meth. 2dQr. Hist. & Philos. of Education. French . Observation. Prim. Meth. 1st. Qr. Sci. Meth. 2d Qr. Ad. Elocn. 1st Qr. Music