The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-07-14

examine the pupils of the Union Schools
of RSvennu, beg leave to make the fol-
lowing
REPORT:
The Committee have attended to the duty
assigned them, and herewith present docu.
ments showing the standing of each scholar
in all the branches that have been submitted
to their review, in connection with which
they offer the following statements and sug-
gestions
The teachers in the several Schools ap.
pear to have been thorough, faithful and sue.
cessful, though laboring under great disad-
vontages: the Primary and Secondary
Schools being too much crowded, and the
Grammar end High Schools being in rooms
inconvenient, exposed to the noise of the
streets, and altogether unsuted to their pur-
pose. Yet, we think our Schools have not
been in SO good a condition since our &C.
quaintance with them as at present. AS the
Superintendent, Mr.. DRAKE, is about to
leave us, it is due to him to say, that during
the two years OF his connection with the
Schools, he has done much to bring about
more perfect classification of the Schools,
to introduce judicious and elevated system
OF studies. to promote thofoughness and &C.
Curacy of scholarship, and TO overcome many
difficulties which were in the way of success,
so that, should his successor be equally Ia.
borions and efficient, with the better accom-.
modations for the Schools in prospect, we
may hope for still further improvements.
In the examination, we have had occasion
to notice the impolicy of advancins scholarg
who have not the requisite preparation.-
Those whom the Committee recommended
to ia back last year, but who went forward,
are now further from their companions than
before; while those who fell back according
to that recommendation, are now prepared
to advance with firm and steady step, and as
they are well grounded in the rudiments,
will be in advance Of the former in real
scho larship.
The pressure from the primary and inter-
mediate Schools is so great, that the Com.
mittee have recommended the advancement
OF some, who, in their view, would be bet.
ter retained in the lower Schools.
Another thing made evident in the examin.
alton, is the exceedingly great disadvantage
of irreguarity in attendance, from whatever
cause. In many of the stadies, the scholars
cannot advance without knowledge of pre-.
eeding lessons, so that abe less of very
few recitOtons may make him Fatally lame
and incompetent to 60 forward with his class.
The pupil thaS becomes discouraged, loses
oil lauda6le ambition, and receives an injury
which will uffect his character through life.
Tae Committee would suggest the i'm.
Poriance of maintaining constant cores.
pondenee and cordial co. cooperation between
parents and teachers, They ore all seeking
the same end and should assist each other.
If either has suggestion to make, it should
be made with prudence, received with kind.
ness, be duly considered and acted upon as
the case may require. Thus, only, can we
hope for the happiest results. Parents
should visit the Schools, see how they are
conducted, and manifest an interest in their
progress. We would not think Of employ.
ing hand to build house, cultivate field
or train young horse, without taking care
that it was done faithfully and judiciousy.
How much greater the folly of neglecting
the culture Of those for whom the house is
built, the field cultivated and the horse train.
ed. The comfort of cur lives and that Of
our children depends more upon their edu-
cation than upon all these external things.
The Committe would respectfully recon
mend that the Board of Education should
furnish the Superintendent blank cards OF
Invitation, that he may each month or week
issue Invitations to u certain number of the
patrons OF the School, male and female, that
there may be systematic visitation of the
Schools.
In conclusion, we would congratulate our
fellow. citizens upon the success already
gained in the introduction and organization
of the Union School system in Ravenna'
and in the hope that with the accommoda-
tions to be furnished in the new house, now
nearly completed, we may witness still more
cheering advancement in the future. All of
which is respectfully submitted.
J. G. HART,
C. C. FOOTE,
ALPHONSO HART, G1''";"r: T.Sn"'nt"s
B. j. WELLS, o''''''''o'
S. d. HARRIS. Jr.