Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-03-16
REPORT
Of Rev. THOMAS BAYSE, Supsrtnten-
dent Of Common Schools for the 7oa0n
Of LraSburgh, March 6, 1860.
To the Citizens Of Lrasbargh,
In 7ot0n Meeting assembled:

To the Citizens Of Lrasbargh,
In Torn Meeting assembled:
My appointment TO the office Of Town
Superintendent Of schools was Of so re-
cent date, approaching SO nearly to the
close ofthe sessions Of the several schools,
that / was unable to visit all. The
greater number Of them however were
visited. Eight of the entire number,
either shortly before or subsequently to,
my appointement, were visited. In the
examination Of these schools, i found
much that was eminently gratifying to
the friends of education. 1t would seem
invidious to single out particular schools
as distinguished above the others, but it
may be safely said that there can be few
better schools of the same grade, than
were some of those taught in this town.
During the short period / have held the
office of Superintendent, ! have seen
enough TO convince me Of the valuable
service which may be rendered to our
schools by wise, jealous and effective
supervision, in the opportunity it gives
for the presentation of important sugges-
tons and counsels to teachers and pupils,
as TO the best method Of instruction and
plans of study; and also, in the incen-
tives and encouragement which it sup
plies to teachers and scholars to exert
themselves with the utmost assiduity, in
the knowledge that their work will be
subjected to a thorough and impartial
scrutiny, and if merited, receive honor
able and appropriate commentator. In
two Of the districts the same teacher was
engaged for the successive terms of the
school year, fact which alike reflects
credit upon the districts and the teachers,
ard tended very much ! am persuaded to
the prosperity of these schools, for it has
long been my opinion that the frequent
and unnecessary change of teachers is a
serious obstruction to the interests of our
schools and the largest progress of our
scholars. In the accuracy of this concIu-
sion am sustained by the explicit tes-
timony, to like effect, of the Sec'y Of the
Board of Education, in his last annual
report to the Legislature Of the State.
The new School Books recommended
by the Board have been generally intro
duced. The wisdom of that recommen-
dation and the advantage of their intro
duction are seen in the more prompt,
pleasurable, successful study of their
lessons by the scholars.
1t was with regret | observed that the
schools | visited were unprovided with
maps. Our village school has indeed
few sheets upon its walls, as an exhibit
ton of what once was map or maps, and
which may answer one valuable purpose,
in serving to show by comparison with
those OF a more modern publication, the
immense advance which has been made
in later times in the construction of maps.
as well as in all the other branches of art
and appliances of education. With this
exception, which can be conceded to be
such only by courtesy, and the case of
another school, in which the enterprise
and zeal of the teacher had led her to
furnish herself with very neat and use
full set Of maps and to give to her school
the use Of them, the several schools in
this town were destitute of this very val
liable and necessary auxiliary. 1t is ex-
ceedingly desirable that each school
should be supplied with good set of
school room maps. Let the citizens of
each district feel that their school must
and shall have them. No investment of
the amount necessary TO their purchase,
or even of five times that amount, would
yield so large and at the same time per-
manent return of pleasure and of i'm
Provement. The school room maps rem
ders the study of Geography much more
attractive to pupils, and insures a greatly
enhanced proficiency.
Your Superintendent would desire to
call attention to the fact that 4 consider
able number Of our older youth, for the
sake of educational advantages which
their own town does not afford, have re-
paired for the spring term TO Academies
or Schools in the adjoining towns. 1t is