St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-10-20
Prepare for the Winter School.


marks from the Iowa School Journal"
published at Dcs Moincs. They are
to the point. Every School Director
that reads the following should take
the hint, and Immediately prepare
their several school houses for the
winter schools.
We wish to say few words to pa
rents, School directors and others
respecting the necessity of their ma
king preparations at once, i'll their
several districts, for the opening Of
their winter schools. Some one will
say, ave are all ready in onr district,
let the teacher come on" Wait mo-
ment, Mr.. Confident, and let us see if
you are correct. The next time YOU
pass by your school house look and
see if some repairs are not wanted in
the school room, before it can he said
that it is i'll proper condition for the
reception Of your new teacher, Mr..
Tasteful.
You will on examination find that
many repairs are absolutely necessary
to render your school house decent
and comfortable. Let us examine it
thoroughly. In the first place, pane
of glass is wanted in that space in
the sash, through which we are now
taking our observations; the plaster
ing has fallen off in several places
through which the winds of winter
will find easy access, and they will
not be slow to take advantage of it.
Two or three of the desks need repair
ing, and | notice that one of the blanks
in the floor has been removed. The
desk on the teachers stand, poor
thing, has for months been hobbling
around the school room on three legs
the door to the entry has lost hinge
new blackboard is wanted in place
Of the old one, which one of the near
mcighbors To the school house, has
been using as door to his cqIf pen.
Bless me, Mr.. Confident, here is a
weeks work that must be done upon
your school house, and We are not
through with our examination yet.
Let us push open the door, for see
that the lock is broken, and go into
the school room and make a closer OK
animation as to its wants and ncccs-
sites. Gracious, Mr.. Confident, what
sight. Did you ever in your life
see such Il dirty floor? ooh, of
course the floor is a little dirty-wc
have been having meetings here every
Sunday afternoon during tie summer,
and some Of our folks have spit to.
bacco juice upon the floor and a little
dust has settled upon it-that will
rear off in short time" But Mr.
Confident, You just take look here
behind the door, and under the desks,
and III the corners Of the room, AM!
tell me if yOn see anything of those
great r0dS that lie there 81 cOntcnted.
ly and happy, which your tobacco
chewing friends have elected from
their capaCiOus mouths under the cog
nOmcn Of tobacco guilds" and have
taken so much pains to give them a
resting place in their present out of
the way" positions. Look at the
monsters, and see what a seli-COnfi-
dent, sclf-satfsiied, complaisant air
they have assumed. These fellows
must be removed, for they have 10
rights here, either in law or equity,
and their presence will most certainly
add nothing to the character or stand
ing Of your school.
| find too, Mr.. Confident, that you
require some new stovepipe, and that
the stove itself is aIXiousIy looking
forward to the time when it shall be
favored with IA coat OF backing. The
water pail, since Charles Winthrop
used it on his fishing excursion, is I'M
fit for use, and new one mast BE-
supplied
We have now found that many re-
pairs are needed IN order that your
school house may be i'll a proper condi-
ton for the reception of Mr. Tasteful
the excellent teacher who is to take
charge Of your winter school. Let
there be no delay in putting it in prop
or order, and also do not fail to have
a good supply of wood, well seasoned,
and cut the proper length for the
stove, and nicely packed away in the
wOod-house to await the demands Of
the school. And don't forget, Mr..
Confident. to have the school house
well banked before cold weather sets
in, SO as to prevent the wind from
blowing up through the floor and near
~ freezing the chidrcm's feet. Let
these matters all receive your person,
al attention, that you may know that
the work has been property performed.
Are there not other school houses
in equally as bad "A condition as this
one which we have been examining in
company with our friend Mr.. Conf.
dent Will not the school directors
see to it that they are ovcrhauIed and
fitted up in manner suitable for the