Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-05-12
MISCELLANY
COMMON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

A SUGGESTION TO SUPERINTENDENTs OF
SCHOOLS; ESPECIALLY IN WINDHAM CoUN-
TY.
1t has occurred to me that you would extend
your influence for good, in the office which you
hold, by publishing in THE VERMONT PHGNIx,
or some other county paper, such extracts from
your annual report. read in pursuance TO law,
at the last March meeting, as may be of general
interest. No doubt much that is contained in
these reports would be as appropriate in every
other town in the county as in the one where
such was originally given.
If the Editor of the PHGNx approves of
the plan will follow my suggestion. Do not
let me be alone. The law now requires the cx-
animation of teachers to be public. 1t is very
desirable that all propose to teach should at
tend at the time appointed; and that prudential
committees and others interested should be
present. The examination itself should be con-
Quoted in thorough manner. This have en-
deavored to do: and not to make it a mere
nominal thing. No person has been employed
as teacher, the present year, who did not apply
for license. l have observed that but few of
the teachers report themselves in the Registers
as having attended any "teachers institute" 1t
cannot be too strongly recommended to those
who offer themselves as teachers to avail them
selves of the advantage of these institutes if
in their power.
We are not the Banner State" in respect to
our common schools. Less has been done for
them by our Legislature than by the legislatures
of many of the other States. 1t has been some
what difficult to secure Legislative action, look
ing towards their improvement.
The general interest is also, by far too low.
Our common schools are the peoples colleges"
Here our sons and daughters are trained and
disciplined for the business of life. Many of
them go to no other school; and no pains
should be spared 10 make them as good as the
case admits. And, ask, why may they not be
made the very best schools in existence?
think our recent school law is working we'll
| hope there will be no retrograde legislation.
The influence of the Board of Education, with
its excellent Secretary, is beginning to be felt for
| good. trust the new interest which is appear
ing will increase more and more, till we shall,
at least, come up "nto line" with the other
States. And would it not be gratifying to ad-
vance few PAGES ahead.
| will speak more particularly of our own
town. And if l may speak for Dummerston,
may not pledge you to give voice of encour-
agementP May not answer for you, that you
will help on the noble enterprise? Surely none
who have children to educate can fail to be in
| terested in the district school, And those who
have not, and yet have taxable property, should
remember those whose estates consist chiefly in
children.
With view to help forward the common
school cause in our towns have concluded to
| glance briefly at several topics rather than dwell
at length on any particular one.
Our school houses demand word. If we
speak comparatively, we may say some are bet
| for ban nfh h.ara ha e
their excellence. We have hardly outlved the
day Of the "old red school house by the road
side" We would speak favorably of some that
have recently undergone repairs. 1t is very
much to be hoped that one district will be stim-
ualed by another, till the style of our houses
shall be greatly improved That district will
do itself great honor that shall be the first to
build model school house with proper appur-
tenances, with suitable grounds and outbuild-
ings. Here is certainly worthy object. A
good house for your children, in which they are
to receive intellectual discipline and moral cul-
ture. Let its construction be adapted to the
uses intended. Without any question, the
foundation of disease and premature des tn has
been laid, in many instances, in lily constructed
lily ventilated, lily warmed school houses. Ev-
cry school house should be built on liberal
scale. l say liberal, not extravagant. Lib
erality in the end is the best economy. think
if districts No. 2, 4, 6, and No. /, West Dunn
merston, would make up their minds to build
anew, according to their own actual necessities,
in size and construction, they would be well
satisfied with the investment l would speak
secondly of school apparatus l find no article
of school apparatus in town excepting the
"black board' and sometimes the supply Of
this is quite scanty. The black board can be
abundanty and prohtably used in almost every
branch that is pursued. But in many instances
find it is used but little There are no out
line maps, no artificial globes no mathematical
blocks or figures. In many of the schools
there was not dictionary owned, by either teach
er or scholar. of such luxuries as clocks and
thermometers of course, we do not think.
1t may be proper to say word on the sub
ject of "hiring teachers" Since teachers have
been licensed by superntendents, in the minds of
many they seem to have been held chiefly re-
sponsible for the success of the persons hired.
II there proves to be any deficiency, either in
knowledge of books, or of human nature, or
want of tact in governing the superintendent
was faulty in licensing. The superintendent
should bear his share OF the responsibility; but
it does not all belong to him you will at once
see that it must be very unpleasant TO refuse