Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1859-10-28
Report OF Common Schools of Lewis
burg Dist, month ending Oct. II, '59.

OF the whole No. during the month. there were study
ing the Alphabet, 81 tie,grapliy .62
Spelling I.s irau,uar ss
Spelling only l23 Composition 80
Heading 30 Book hcepinE
Writing .3l History Us. 30
Mental Arithmetic 30 Algebra
Written Arithmetic lyj Vocal Music Sc
RENAuKs.-All the schools, upon the whole,
are in prosperous condition, aad bid fair 10
excel. With one Or two exceptions, the tea
chers are all thoroughly experienced IN the
"art of teaching" aud even in the former
case they have the experience of years
teaching, and would command proles ssIonal
respectability anywhere. They have also
read works on education and teaching. There
has been no INSTRUMENTATION of conduct on
the part of pupils, demanding discipline from
the Board and but lite corporeal punish
ment has been necessary from the teacher 10
sustain good government. Progress Judging
from the "Class Rolis"-has been a lar av-
erage.
GA the part of parents, there has been gen.
eral satisfaction in regard TO the schools.
Some few, i, is true, complained of their
children having been punished rather oi,ener
than they thought was necessary; but on the
strictesi inquiry, 10 every case, have been
enabled to sustain the teacher. Others again,
became dissatisfied with the grade to winch
their children were assigned: but on being
requested TO be present al their examinations
for promotion, they have declined. and some
few of them have sent their children else
where 10 school. Among SO many, this is
nothing more than might reasonably be ex-
pected. In no instance, has any favcrilism
been shown, and Il r. gid examination has al
ways been adhered To in letting pupils 90 up
higher. Merit has been made the only badge
Of promotions. The grades are-Primary,
Secondary Intern ediate and Grammar school.
During the whole month. neither parent or
guardian, 10 my knowledge, has visited the
schools, 10 add encouragement by his or her
presence. Ofthis, l am truly sorry. In place
Of mnSling with the schools, aud adding a
word of encouragement to scholar or teacher,
or even 10 acquire a Correct idea of the school
room to Which they consign their children
dav after day 10 acquire knowledge OF the
different branches taught, they take their
stand. point some where outside CT the schools,
and view the whole subject matter of schools
al a distance, and Though medium render
ed opake for want of full knowledge. To
such, We would say. that they should form a
more intimate acquaintance with the schools
and teachers. by shoT, visits, and as often as
time will permit
There is still another obstacle in the way
10 pleasant teaching, but over which, for the
present, the Board can have no control, and
therefore can not remedy i'll refer 10 some
Of the school rooms, their furniture and con-
veniences-they are not SO desirable as they
should be.
At the last meeting of the Board, the follow
ing branches were added 10 the catalogue of
studies: Parker q Watson on Natural Phil
osophy, Warren on Physical Geography, Cut
Ter on Human Physiology and GreenleaTS
National Arithmetic. The Board ccntem-
plate adding the Languages and the higher
Mathematics, as soon as they may be called
into requisition by the advancement of the
pupils. Their motto is "Prosression."
As Secretary of the Board Of Education of
this District, under The circumstances, have
endeavored faithfully 10 discharge The func-
tions Of that Office to the best of my ability,
and also for the good of the schools.
WM. Lesser, Sec.
Lewisburg Oct. 20, 1859.