The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-05-29
The Schools Of the County.
RICHMOND.

Having noticed the schools OF many OF the
tow rs, Richmond comes next in order.
Asmy opinion of the schools of this place
differs slightly from that expressed of many
others. and lest some at a distance may sup
pose that I am a teacher in these schools,
and hence. speak from personal interest.
will Jus, state that | have never taught In
any public school in the State of Indiana.
The number of Children in the corporation
is about 1000. About one halt of these
have beer in school the past winter. Eigh.
teen teachers have been employed.
The main building. on Filth street accom-
modates about $50 pupils. The remainder
of the pupils are taught in several build
ipgs south of Main street.
/ have been intimately acquainted with
The Richmond public schools for some years
past. as constant watching could make me.
| have taught beside them during that lime.
and devoted my time to nothing but schools;
and desire to say that at TO time, think
have they ever been SO good as at present
1t woulc be singular if, among SO many
teachers. they might not sometimes err IN
the management of their schools, but the
general character of the schools is excellent
Order is the first thing to be noticed by the
stranger. Here you fud number OF
schools in which no communication OF AIRY
kind exists; no unnecessary moving about
the room; no splitting on the floor; no bois-
ferrous converts alton or shouting in the halls
or rooms during recess. AID here, also,
you find but little punishment for disorder.
A stranger mighs enter several OF these
i rooms during study hours and End the pupils
: in perfect trim, even if the teachers were
absent. Here, again. you may End clean
school rooms-a very scarce thing in the
West. And better, if possible. you can
here find Children taught TO study and recite,
and not to guess. OF course the degree OF
perfection in this respect differs in different
rooms. l will state the plan OF the school
in the main building, as nearly as l can
! from observation alone.
! In room No. l. the Children receive their
/ lessons. &C insisting OF learning to read IN The
First Reader; to write on their slafes--and
they write well. too--to count and combine
small numbers, and to draw simple figures.
+, They are also given oral lessons and taught
to sing. In room No. 2 they read in the
Second reader and have the same exercises
as in No. l. only CT higher grade. ami
first lessons in geography ~ addition
Children are taught TO spell every word and
not TO guess at it. The same system OF grad
ing prevails throughout the building. |
have rot time now to parti, ularize more.
but l will invite those who are skepticel
about my report. to visit the schools for
themselves. The schools among the Ger
mans in the basement of the church oil
Franklin street. is poor affair. L do not
know how well educated their teacher Is II
German, but l do know that he cannot sue
cessfuly teach in English.
&c he Of h.
Richmond school? First. corps OF lu'
teachers is headed by Are superintende Mt
and they devo their whole energies 10 tn
schools. To them, school is first. pleasure
second. By this l mean, they, for the mos
part, use all the helps in their reach to i'm
prove They read journals. attend teachers
, meetings, consult each other and visit othe
schools A new idea to them is a gem tha
, they treasure. AS is the teacher. SO is tn
/ school, Second. The people of Richmon
for the most part, help the teachers. VIVA
more do we need to improve? This is n
, stand still age. We need another Unio
| school building, located South Of Main st
canahln &c .~>~---.s3 VINO I've without tn
reach OF the main building, to receive eaua
advantages with those who do not. TIL
advantages that town corporations EMO,
over the country district schools, is that o
having a system of graded schools, thu
having an adept to teach each particular de
partment.
Our townsman. s. R. Lippencott, manu-.
features elegantly finished carriages, because
his labor is divided. and a skllful mechanic
is employed npon each department from the
rough timber TO the coat of varnsh But
how is it with the carriage maker of the
western frontier. He must make, iron,
paint and varnish--all himself; hence the
difference 10 the results. Such is the differ
ance between graded school, and one that
is not.
| l hope to see our citizens Of the south
end Of town. demand their just rights iu the
shape Of an elegent and commodious build
ing.
will next notice the townships as far as
l am able to report.
II. HApLEY, School Examiner.