SUNY at New Paltz - Paltzonian Yearbook (New Paltz, NY)

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' 1 MQW., 4 K9 SNS u 'A As fl GN 'I Q1 'GNQK9 fb -KDFNSKSQ GNQKS 0 KIXSNQ-KD' S34 J 'I Frank Sumner Capen was grad- uated from the Brockport Collegiate Institute. He entered the University of Rochester in I863, but after his first year enlisted in the Union army. When Une war ended he returned 1899 and tool: his A. B. degree from the I University. He accepted the chair of T h G W al 1 1 1: 1 1 1 mathematics at Cortland Normal, where he taught fifteen years. For two years he was mathematics in- structor at Colby University. He received his Ph. D. from Colgate University, and in l888 accepted the principalship of New Paltz Normal, where he served until l899. He died at Cortland in l900. expectation that they can, in the allotted time, complete the prescribed courses of instruction. They must at least be able to spell correctly: to pronounce in reading accurately and readily words in common use: to write neatly and legiblyg to pass creditably an examination upon physical, descriptive, and mathematical geographyg and such an examination upon arithme- tic and grammar Cincluding analysis of sentencesl as will show that they can review and com- plete these subjects in one term: they should have given consideration to the elements of natural science, and in general, they ought to have availed themselves of all the advantages offered by the common schools of the state. Even though the building had been enlarged, it soon became inadequate and crowding re- sulted. ln IS93 the entrance examination was done away with, and any elementary school graduate could enter the Normal School. ln the same year, however, the course of study was lengthened, which served to discourage prospective entrants and reduced the total en- rollment somewhat. Dr.Capen's forceful personality madeitselffeltin the ingenuity with which the Normal and its Practice School were efliciently managed in the over-crowded building. Further evidence of his dynamic thinking lay in his departing from the beaten track and differentiating be- tween the professional and academic subjects, and by placing the instruction of the children in the grades more fully in the hands of student teachers. The beloved principal, aside from stressing the professional ideals of teaching, also emphasized the practical viewpoint of teaching as a business. However, Normal students managed to find time for some fun, and the swan-song of the Capen administration may well have been the Class Yell of 1899: Razel, Dazel, Whoop la rool All our hearts are strong and true. We're all right with gold and white, Drop in line, drop in line, ,I-u-n-e-'99 I Twenty-seven ' 'Q.I'0so'Di Q10-fb 6GNWk9GW QJOfDGN6K9Ql0fDQ 6364.23 121015 D630 K2 2 2 Q 2 Q 5 2 3 2 3 -QA an KJ 2.00 O SKS Q2 GN :va K5 'I 5 X. 9 9 Q. G f. 1 A Q a C 6 J C

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052, ' iGN'S'k1JQ!'?'!f'T,GN ' QEQKICFNNKSLJ gm .JCNGKD .. Q CNS-kill! K9 ' Q' E D 1 . fTT3fS'Y.9 Q.!0rJ'DG349K.9 9 QJOKTCNQQJLQWKUCBQMDQIW-fb 'GNNKDQJQJT - x 1 8 8 8 ils ,l:1.f:lz5 or F? N SEPTEMBER, l888, Dr. Frank S. Capen became principal. He had been for many years a teacher of mathematics at Cortland Normal, and was well it qualified for the management of a large school. At this time three courses of study were offered, as shown by the following paragraphs gleaned from the ' Annual Report: Normal Course-two years in length and granting a diploma which permits the holder to teach in the public schools of New York State. FIRST YEAR: Arithmetic, Grammar, United States History and Civics, Zoology, Physiology, Bookkeeping, Rhetoric, Geography, Natural Philosophy, Algebra, Ethics, Geology, Botany, Science and Art of Education, Physical Culture, Composition, Vocal Music, Drawing, Reading. SECOND YEAR: Algebra, English Literature, Studies in Ancient History and Lit- erature, Chemistry, Historical Readings, Astronomy, Teaching in the Practice School. Normal High School Course: one year in addition to the Normal course. The graduate will be permitted to teach in the high schools of the state. Geometry, Rhetorical Criticism, Historical Readings, Mental Science, Physics, English Literature, Moral Science, Geog- raphy, Chemistry, Teaching in the Practice School. Academic Course: Three years in addition to the first year studies of the Normal course. This course is open only to pupils living in New Paltz, who do not wish to teach, and whose parents are willing to pay the fees attached. The Academic Course was designed to prepare those pupils who planned to enter college, and the curriculum was patterned after that of the preparatory school of the day. Requirements for entrance into the Normal department were not rigorous. Regarding the admission of pupils, the First Annual Report says: To be admitted to the Normal department, pupils must be at least sixteen years of age, must possess good health, good moral character and average abilities and must justify the Twcnly-six ' GNVKDQJWKD WGWOQJ 220473 G 'M5N.51iJWfD G'Qv0Mk9'hfQJOfD G'Nf9'K9'0-Qlifb ' At Schioo1By 5 J ffl Z Gqkfiki E06 0 4: f. Q KD' f'D'G SA9 iivlfi TNS' O ,Ay U Uc'T 68'Y..Ji 9' ' 4 6,1-. f, e 'X u

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s 5R2R2ii2222222?2222?225222222321222222 M P W W , . Q A s Egesa r Z2 0 ya W ' W W W M W M W W W M Still' V., W W BA Va! M ' W W W M W W W W W M W M W M .. W Bd 0 I, A N l899 Myron T. Scudder became principal of the school. During this period is BA men were giving more attention to domestic science, manual training, the 3 BA kindergarten, physical training, and to the newer ways of teaching old subjects. V3 B74 Dr. Scudder was an enthusiast and threw himself whole-heartedly into the task Vg B72 of bringing the school fully abreast of the latest ideas. A kindergarten was established, yd BA courses in domestic science and manual training were added, and teachers were secured 53 B! who were familiar with the new pedagogy. Mr. Scudder believed in the utmost freedom of BA the individual and established a school city which managed the ordinary affairs of student pig BA life. Wilson L. Gill, originator of the school city movement, was called in to organize this ya BA unique system in New Paltz. 513 M W The school was divided into three cities: the Primary, the Intermediate, and the Nor- Spf mal. Each city had its mayor, councilmen, courts, policemen, and departments of health, pub- if lic works, and finance. Council members were elected to represent wards, as in an actual city. N1 3824 Oflienses against the school society were tried by courts. A police court, consisting of one 'Ni if judge, tried minor offenses, while more heinous crimes were tried by a court made up of a N55 BA judge and six or twelve jurors. A state government was soon formed, important parts of R55 HA which were the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. A governor was elected, as well as Ni BA a lieutenant-governor, a secretary of state, an attorney general, judges, senators, and assem- P53 BA blymen. An interesting feature of the election procedure is that it was made as nearly true Q59 BA to life as possible. f 5 M , . M BA . The school print shop prepared ballots closely patterned after those used in real elec- kg pd tions.. Actual voting lllothiiwere set uphin the gymnasium, and the presence of policemen and Ag BA e ectlon inspectors a e lgnlty to t e occasion. 'Ag S5 The aim of the School City is by practical means to raise the quality of citizenship 22 to the highest standardg to increase the happiness of student life: to add effectiveness to the -X3 H2 teacher's work.: and to set forth the great object of education, which is that the individual ga 82 Twenty-eight A3 M ,M W KKKXKZZZZZKKKKKKKKKKZKKKKKZZK5ZKKKKKKQ