Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-02-09
For the Tribune.


Mr.. EDITOR THINKING that some of our citi
zens who are interested in the cause of public
education, might be pleased to learn what is
now being done in city schools present
the following facts. The number of public
schools in this city is four each of which is en-
tirely independent of the other and conducted
by teacher who il responsible to a Board of
Education.
The number of pupils registered in these
schools at the present time is 245, with m av-
erage attendance of about 20J which shows
very favorable regularity for this place A new
quarter has lately commenced, and as changes
always occur at this time, and the weather was
extremely unfavorable for school purposes but
a short time ago, the number in attendance will
undoubtedly be increased. and we hope also that
II will bring an increased interest.
In one of the above schools the number of pu-
pills registered Is 54-the average attendance for
the past wsek IL in another the number
registered was 61-average about 60 !; another
registered 80 average attendance 45. We
think parents and teachers both deserving
of commentator when they secure such a reg
ularity this in city, while all the usual
temptations to truantism and neglect exist
The other school does not exhibit as encourage
ing figures but the causes were to very great
extent entirely beyond the control of the teach
er The labor of teaching is greatly lessened
the pleasure of attending school greatly increas-
ed and the progress of the pupil. enhanced in
every respect which tends to develop a scholar
ly-like character oy punctuality and REGULAR
~ of attendance, by making school efforts and
school aXercisps the chief aim and nbiaot If tho
pupil during the progress of his school days
No parent has right TO expect any wonderful
development of mind, any unusual refinement
OF manners, or extraordinary attainment in the
sciences who does not feel interest enough in
the progress of his son daughter, to occasion
ally ask the teacher concerning it, or visit the
school and talk with the Board of Education
concerning the plan Of instruction pursued, or
who does not take delight in assisting at home
to remove those obstacles with which every
school child is or less troubled.
There is not teacher in any of cur schools
who would not be glad to greet in the school
room the parent of every child, and cordially
receive welcome appreciation, or friendly adj
monition as the facts exhibited might demand $
nor is there a scholar who would not be awaken
ed to new efforts TO excel if he were only salts
fed that his parents and friends felt an increas-
ed interest in his progress. Every felon that
has dragged out days of weary existence in
prison, or expiated his crime upon the gallows,
or afflicted society by his lawless Expectations
was once young and innocent, once a proper
subject of care and attention of parental solicit
tude. and with proper education might have
adorned society and been blessing to himself
and the world
There are about 500 children in the city be-
tween the ages of 5 and 81, who ought TO be
benefited by our schools. There are several
private schools which probably take charge OF
about 100 pupils who residents of this city
this number together with those who attend the
public schools does not constitute over half OF
the children of this city, leaving balance Of
400 in favor of those who do not attend any
school, a lamentable fact which deserves the con-
sideratIon Of the friends of education. There
about $4,000 expended annually in this city
to sustain public shoots, this sum although it
tnceds increasing. should be expended as far as
NAV be, in such manner TO reach the wants
OF all.