Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-07-30

MON SLHODlS OF tLLA RF ELD
COUNTY.
School Ho@e8.-In the year for which
this report is made 3 new houses were
built in Beccara, in Boggs, | in Coving-
ton, 2 in Decatur, ! in Girad in Ilus.
ton, 3 in Lawrence, and in Pike; most
of them in desirable locations.
The Directors of Curwensylle purchas1
ed secondhand Methodist meeting
house, had il fitted up, making two first
class school rooms, bot failed properly TO
seat them.
Whether this was jUdlcious Investment
Of funds, ina5much as they owned at the
ful making u total Of IL houses built
within the year.
Those built in Coyington, Decatur llus-
ton, and one in Pike, are first class. Most
of the other new houses built this year are
at best but second class. If an additional
50 or 100 dollars had been expended on
each house, they would be first class for
our cdIntTl and as in other things the
hest article Il. the end is the cheapest, it
would have been economy to do so. We
have yet too many cod, uncomfortable
houses, though some Boards Of DIRECTORS
deserve grea credit for the Improvements
they have made.
The average length Of III houses is 2j. G4
feet longest 81 feet; shortest Is feet.
Average width 2L77 feet widest so feet;
nawovest II Icet
Average height SGl feet; highest II feet;
lowcsv : feet.
F}nl-Wood is used in ~ houses coal
in So.
Flar.tuc.-Mosl of the new houses have
sufficient and desirable furniture, though
in fuN instances Directors have failed in
Tins respect. Nearly all our Old houses
ue b., poorly supplied with furniture
Improvement i'm Ibis respect is now being
u +. .a some Districts.
L.JurlllS.--S houses have no apparatus
OF any kind. In 10 the blacR-boards are
entirely too small TO euswer a valuable
purpose. The others have sufficient black
surface 10 answer all desirable ulrposes.
The two new houses in Decatur have a
hack surface different from any thing 81
the kind in the county and should it not
crack and scale of, will answer the pur'
pose intended better than any thing have
seen. In several schools ! found maps OF
the United States and few eamts, and
in two schools globe, each all OF which,
with one exception, belonged TO the teach
CTS. The schools in Boggs, Morris and
sraham are supplied with Owens school
cards
t,rtcd ScLool.-We have no system OF
Graded schools except in Cleariield and
Curwensville, and in them it is not very
strictly adhered to. Classification is strctn
~ observed when 4 sutticieEcy Of books Is
on hand.
IeacicrS' Profession ant 1qr-Thc who!"
number Of applicants for tho teachers pro-
iession examined during the year was
barely sufficient including twelve hold
ing county certificates, and excluding six
to whom county certificates were denied
to supply the schools of the county. No
teachers found qualified in every respect
to entitle them to full professional stand
ing. The average age of l2j teachers EN-,
ployed during the year is 24.SS years the
Youngest IL, the eldest G7-of whom 81
were females, II maes-ail, with six ex
ceptions, were born in Pennsylvania, but
not much above one0half of them born in
our own county. Citizens of Clearfield
county, we should grow more teachers,
and depend less upon a foreign market
Tor . supply. For advocating this meas.
ure have 10y some been called selfish.
piSuati0Ng With single exception,
visited once every school that was in ses'
sion in the county % twice, and few a
!hlrd time; average duration of visits .!
houB. Delivered a short address in l0l
schools; spent 232 days, and travelled 2372
miles on official business.
In many Districts one or more teachers
dismissed eheir schools, accompanied me
TO the next, taking in some instances a
portion of their scholars with them This
had salutary effect on all parties, In
numerous instances one or more Directors
accompanied me at visitation. These Wis
its have been made a means to find out
teachers qualifications to impart iustruc-
tion to others examinations can do but
little more than ascertain their literary
requirements. Of the frequency of visits
by Directors, Citizens or Teachers to the
schools, | can give no reliable account,
though have notes OF numerous visits by
these personages
SCoretaric3--l do not know what compen-
sation Secretaries receive, either as recor.
der OF minutes, or District Superinten-
dents; the latter Office, with the duties
properly performed, is of lasting benefit to
the schools.
hSahac.-Never more than one orgaui-
lied Institute at a time in the same Dis.
lriot holds two meetings per month, eth Z,
er central or circular; is attended by all
the teachers of the District by some from
adjoining Districts when the distance is
not too great, and by County Superinten,
dent when convenient. The good effects
oitLe Institute are felt by all in atteud
anCe that care any thing about them.
Moral Instruction. The Scriptures are
read o.ily in all our schools except 2G
other devotional exercise in 49, moral
instruction by example in Sc.
Bronshs.-- English Grammar and Intel,
....Ha' Arithmetic receives more attention
n'.. wear than ever before, though in
.n.".'r of schools they are lamentably
4,s '.ga excuse, deficiency of books
teachers should have the element within
themselves and teach without books, in.
nN g. 4