The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-02-25

'"S"J ySa's' Co u VIII peeH tnat tne oOs
Jeclion sometimes urged against the new
law, ia not true here-that the same old
teachers are employed, and that there is no
improvement. A new class of teachers is
coming inlo the profession as fast as posi-.
bic; and these only need little experience
10 prove themselves entirely superior to
those formerly employed, and to give gen.
erel satisfaction.
II is only TO be regretted that TO persons of
liberal education the profession does not pre-.
sent better encouragement. Not more than
htiy oil those examined design 10 teach per-
manently, and only fihy-rwo have read use-
full educational works with design 10 i'm
prove and fit themselves for teaching. OF
tho whole number, forty four gave full salts.
faction for ability to teach and govern, sixty
Two may be ranked in a medium class, and
twenty-four must be confessed so very poor
that it is desirable 10 supply their places with
better material, 1,ce could only gel il. Moth
ing is more needed 10 make the common
school system work successfully and har-
moniously, than competent teachers and i, is
10 be hoped that Normal schools will spring
up in every county, by demand for good
teachers. In my judgment, the same amount
Of money cannot in any other qray secure so
much practical ddvqnt 'ge as By the establish.
msnt Of a teachers school in erery county ofhe
State. |, should be made the duty of every
County Superintendent 10 hold each year
teachers school of at least two weeks. The
expense would be small compared with the
advantages. Much good might be done in
this cheap way, until we can get State
Normal school.
Observation-Disclosures the past year there
bad been no public examinations or exhibi.
tions in the public schools of The county
but this year the public schools of Light
Street and Berwick presented to parents such
exercises at examinations and exhibitions.
as equaed those of the select schools we
have Witnessed in the county The effect
in these has been TO awaken interest and
honest pride in parents, scholars and teach.
ers.
found but few districts where The directors
had visited the schools, and still fewer where
parents did so. In Scott, Bloom and Benton.
the directors visited and took a friendly in
teres; in the schools, and IN Light Street the
citizens repeatedly visited the upper grade
school. The districts of Bloom, Scott, Ca,a-
wissu, Orange ana D.'~.4.~-N, py amra~
means, and more especially by compact
population, are best able 10 have good schools
The other districts are thinly settled, and al.
most entirely by population engaged in
agriculture and numbering. In some OF these
the schools are small, so that | found as few
as eight scholars in log school house which
stood in The woods, out Of The sight of any
human habi,atioE and surrounded by snow
two feet deep, through which most of the
scholars on the list had more than a mile
and some over two miles TO travel, between
their homes and the school. On another visit
lIaveled one morning through and over snow
banks six feet high, while the thermometer
stood at ,weniy-one degrees below zero. In
such districts | recommend more school in
the summer, ever if there must be less in the
winter. Fishingcreek and Main districts de-
serve special commentator for maintaining
very good schools, against difficulties and
circumstances almost equal in Discourage.
rnent 10 any in the county. In Maine the
first district teachers association in the coun-
ty was formed last winter, and it awakened
considerable interest. The teachers associ.
alton of The county held three meetings with
in the past year, and have hope that its
objects and advantages are becoming under.
stood.
Progress-In my visits Of the first years
service found only two districts in which
any effort had been made 10 grade schools
last winter there were graded schools in six
districts. The first year music was taught
in two schools OF one district last winier |
found il pleasant exercise in five districts,
and in some very arlistcay taught and prac-
ticed. The first year arithmetic was taught
BY oral exercises in classes, only in two dis
tric,s the past year found it successfully
taught in nine districts, and organized classes
in others: The first year, under the new
law, thirty.ihree certificates were granted to
persons who did not understand geography,
and forly-six 10 teachers who did not under.
stand grammar; the past year only thirteen
are blank in geography, and the same num-
Der in grammar
In Beaver township the acquisitions Of the
school law were never complied with
though under the old system, the State appro.
pration was drawn. Last December the di-
rectors were removed by the court, and 9th
ers appointed. These laws have gone on in
good faith TO open The schools, but under
very great difficulties. Mt. Pleasant has not
acted under the school law during the year
just past, but is doing so for that upon which
we have entered. Roaring Creek alone is
iuhexible. r. w. WEAVER,
County Superintendent.
Boomsburg, July IA, 1856.
70 CURE WARTs.-Pare the hard and dry