Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-03-14
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
The Schools of Brattieboro.


The Schools of Brattleboro.
The Schools OF Brattlcboro exclusive Of District No.
O. which includes the village have generally been
cessfu and prosperous the past yeur. In one or two
the teachers of the summer schools were not
quite equal to their duties wanting in experience and
ability. 1t is a mistake for small Districts where the
scholars arc few and backward to employ cheap
teachers. Such schools need the best educated,
the most skilm and experienced teachers that can be
procured. With these exceptions the persons employ
ed during the summer were competent, and discharg
ed their duty we'll Having been absent from the
State during most Of the wnierthe Supt was not able
to visit all the schools he intended So far as he
has heard from the several Districts he believes the
schools have been in most cases successful In Dis
trict No. the school was interrupted by change OF
teachers occasioned by sickness. In District No.
difficulty between the teacher and the pupils
which came near breaking up the school, and caused
serious injury to its progress 1t would be well for
School Committees to he very careful to ascertain
thoroughly the character and qualifications Of can
didate for teaching before they employ them. The
Committee should attend the examination Of teachers
and see for Themselves and hear for themselves, and
then they could the better judge The school houses
except in Districts No. and 10, and in Dist No. 10,
in Brnttleboro and Dummcrston, are in pretty good
condition. neat and comfortable. In the Districts
above named the least said and the more done, the
better. In all the Districts except Nc, g. the number
of weeks of schooling has been as great or CREATE
than the previous year, and in Districts No. !, 4, 0,
and 10, money has been expended in the support
OF schools than the previous year, and in Districts No
s. 6, and S, less has bccnex ended In No. female
teachers only have been employed during the year,
which is a departure from the usual custom in that
District.
In District No. . there have been three terms Of
school Of u weeks each. Eight teachers have been
employed, one male and seven females. The amount
Of schooling in the Discthas been greater than the
previous year and the Arcuscs little more. The
Superintendent has had careful oversight of these
schools. having been chosen by the District to spend
in visiting and experimenting them any number Of
days not to exceed fifty in addition to the time allow
/ ed him to spend in having charge Of them Town
Supt The schools IN this District have all done well
the past year Every teacher has been industrious
and faithful, and given entire satisfaction. Each
school has been examined ut the close OF each term by
the Supt., others being present visitors These
animation. believed to have had good effect up
on the schools Its very desirable that parents should
visit their schools not only examination days, but
/ at other times also, and frequently They ought to be
personally acquainted with those who are teaching
and moulding the character Of their children. 1t has
been object Of the Supt to raise the standard Of
education in all the schools not by an increase Of the
studies, but 10y greater thorouehness and accuracy
There is a tendency in most schools to 90 over toe
much ground. This should be checked. Little. but
perfect rather than "much and SUPERFICIAL should
be the motto in all schools 1t is hoped that there will
lie no letting down Of the present standard IN vii
age schools On the other hand let the examination
be thorough 1t is better to keep children lcngc
time IN the primary schools and have them nor,
thoroughly prepared for advancement, than to sen,
them up higher poorly qualified
At the close Of the last term 90 pupils in the Inter
mediate school were examined and passed to the Igl
school, and ~ from the primary schools to the Inter
mediate. A class Of Is was examined in the school il
Read street but being on an average more than yea
younger than the average of those examined in the 9th
schools, and not quite so well fitted as was desrn
bic, it thought best that they should rema
another year where they are, it would be hard
right to compel them to compete with children :
much older than they, and more advanced. 1t is bu
just 10 say, however, that they quite equal if no
superior to children Of the age in the other school,
and that their teacher has fully and satisfactorily an
faithfully done her duty The examination Of til
High School showed thorouglhcs,, accuracy and dill
gence ON tho part of the pupils That school has ne,
er been in Il better condition, and all the niuenc,
connected with it are excellent The Supt. would eS
press his qualification for the Kind manner in whc
he ha. always been received in his visits both by teacl
and pupils, and for the confidence reposed in him b
parents, To this Report he would annex the Rcpo
made to him by Mr.. Bacon the Principal of the IIig
School. ADDISON BRowN,
Supt. Of Schools.