Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Lottie M. Reed, December 23, 1918

Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Lottie M. Reed, December 23, 1918

Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Lottie M. Reed, December 23, 1918

Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Miss Lottie M. Reed including the grades of Alfred Kwong for the current term and recommending that due to Kwong's poor grades, described as a practically complete failure, it would be better for Kwong to finish out the school year at a smaller school where he can focus his efforts on mastering the English language before returning to Phillips Academy in the future.

December
Twenty-three
1918

Miss Lottie M. Reed
Springfield, Mass.

My dear Miss Reed:

I am enclosing herewith report of Alfred’s work for the past term. As you will note, the record is one of practically complete failure. This does not mean that the boy has not tried; for he has unquestionably done the best he knew how, but he is also unquestionably not fitted at this time to meet the requirements of this particular school.

After experience with nearly a hundred Chinese boys in recent years I am convinced that in this particular case the only satisfactory solution of our problem is to place Kwong in a small school for the balance of the current year. Under such conditions he should emphasize especially his work in English; though it may be possible for him to take some other subject in the way of foundation work. At the end of that time I shall expect him to be qualified to resume his connection with this school, and with the expectation of meeting our requirements in a satisfactory way. He would gain time in the end by such a course and would be spared that inevitable discouragement which must result from continued failure to secure results from well-meant effort.

I am sure you will appreciate the spirit in which this recommendation is made. If I can in any way assist you in arranging for the boy’s further work at this time, please do not hesitate to let me know. We shall lose him with real regret. His spirit has been of the finest, and I personally shall be keenly disappointed if he is not able to return to us at some later date and complete the work of this school.

Very sincerely yours,

Dr. Alfred E. Stearns

Phillips Academy

December 23, 1918

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