Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-03-07
School Convention.

PuTNEY, Feb 81, 1876.
Mr. Editor The w. g. c. S. Association held
their third meeting in this place, Tuesday the
25th ult. The Convention was organized by the
appointment of Rev. Amos Foster, Of Putney,
Chairman.
The meeting AFTER some preliminary remarks by
Rev. A. Brown Of Bratlleboro, stating the objects
of the Association, &c, adjourned to meet at hall
past o'clock, p. NJ.
The Convention assembled at the appointed hour,
and although the travelling very bad, II was
very gratifying TO the friends Of this enterprise to
meet respectable aud considering the state of the
roads) large audience assembled, thereby showing
that although Common Schools are neglected. they
not entirely forgotten. Reports were read by
the Corresponding Secretary of the Association,
setting forth the condition of the schools in differ
ent parts of the County We were prepared TO re-
ceve very unfavorable report, but, nolwithstand-
ing, we truly surprised. il appears from the
various reports that the school houses in the coun-
~ are, for the most part, badly located, and con-
slructed with little regard TO the convenience OF Ell
ther teacher or scholar Very few of the school
houses ventilated, and that are las per re-
port) are by accident rather than design. All
sadly deficient in apparatus, even OF black
board. One fact was drawn from these reports
which is rather humiliating TO Vermoniers. II is
this. According to our present system OF system
il may be calledO no certificates recommended
tons required by law TO qualify teacher to en-
ter upon the responsible duties devolving upon him
Accordingly, those persons wishing TO become
teachers * not having the necessary qualifications
in New Hampshire, emigTate 10 Vermont, where
no questions are ioeaiig asked. Several instances
of this kind are known in this County the present
winter. Several reports were drawn up by school
teachers Generally they were credtable 10 the
reporters, yet IN some cases the king EngttSh
not only was murdered outright, but photography
suffered severely There was general complaint
that not only committees, but parents, even,
very negligent in visiting schools, scarcely making
their appearance from the commencement TO the
close of the term. In some districts the schools
visited occasionally, but in most instances not
at ALL The multiplicity of books is another serious
evil complained of by the reporters, thus causing
uncommon number Of classes, and both combin-
ed tFespassing largely not only the time of the
teacher, and the improvement OF the scholar, but
heavily the pockets Of the parents. Several 9TH
er interesting facts were embodied in the reports,
which, for want OF lime and space, cannot be advert
ed 10.
Afler the reports were disposed Of, the audience
listened TO interesting and able address, deliver
ed by Mr. Chamberlain of Brattleboro. All COM
menl is unnecessary The fact that the Cont ention
had been in session for nearly two hours before Mr.
Chamberlain commenced his address, and notwith-
standing continued throughout the session to man
fest deep interest in the exercises is of itself suf
feieni proof that the effort duly appreciated.
In the evening adjourned meeting was held,
which was addressed by Messrs. Brown, Fletcher,
Foster, Kimball, aud Allen. A report was then
read by Rev. A. Brown Of Brattleboro, on Female
Education. This report was drawn up by CON-
mitee Of ladies' in Brattleboro, and in justice 10
them and the cause Of education generally, ought
TO be published and extensively circulated.
In conclusion, MIR Editor, would say that the
exercises passed off WELL and TO the satisfaction Of
the friends of Common Schools One Of the many
benefits of these Conventions is the Obtaining of
statistical information in regard to the condition Of
our schools and believe with the gentlemen who