American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-07-27
ANNUAL nxErOHzH,
REV. A. H. WATERS.
SUPT, OF, COMMON SCHOOLS.

past year, beyond expectation. Serious
apprehensions were entertained that the
withdrawal of so many old teachers into
the army, and the introduction of new
ones, would seriously embarrass the edu-
cational interests of the county.
That we have been most agreeably dis
appointed in these fears, the report here
submitted viii show
SCHOOL HOUSES.
Two new houses have been erected one
in Cherry and one in Allegheny. These
are both highly creditable to the town
ships, and are models. The Directors in
both these districts, have done good work
in providing houses of such character
Several similar houses are to be built
during the present year in other town
ships Thus the old, uncomfortable and
unhealthy buildings are disappearing, and
very soon, all will have been removed.
Many of the new houses are too small.
1t is to be hoped that this error will not be
committed in the future The health of
the scholars apart from their success, and
the comfort and convenience of the teach
or, requires commodious room. But
very few houses are inclosed, or in any
respect ornamented. Some are situated in
very pleasant groves, whilst others stand
in open ground, exposed alike to othe scorch-
ing rays Of the Summers Sun, and the
fierce blasts of Winters wind. These
facts are stated in order to draw attention
to the importanceof of inclosing the grounds
and of planting ornamental trees around
the houses so that they may be both pleas
ant and attractive. We must make use of
every means to make the school house a
pleasant place, and, of these, the beauti-
flying of the grounds, and buildings, is
certainly an important one.
FURNITURE.
The new houses are generally furnish
ed with suitable desks, some of which are
very good. In many, however, the desks
are very deficient, and, in few, intetera-
ble. OF the latter class, am gtsd to say,
the number is small, and Ihope, ere long,
there will be none.
Sufficient black board surface is found
in most of the houses. whilst in some, there
is scarcely any, and, in others, it is unfit
for use, The attention of directors is call
ed to the Importance of providing good
and ample black board surface.
APPARATUS.
The schools of this county are very de-
ficient in school apparatus. A few have
been furnished with Out Line Maps
This matter has been strongly urged upon
the attention of the Directors, and encour-
agement has been given that apparatus
will be introduced into number of the
schools. An agency has been established
in the county seat, where complete appa-
ratus can be obtained
SCHOOLS
In the boroughs of Harmony, Zelieno-
pie and Centerville, the schools should be
graded. In Harmony two teachers have
been employed in the same room, which
necessarily causes more or less confusion.
In Zelienople there has been but one teach
er employed, but the number Of scholars
is entirely too large to enable him to do
Justice either to himself or to the schol-
ars In Centerville, the borough is di-
vided into two districts with two schools,
but not graded. 1t is hoped that these
important districts will see the necessity of
establishing graded schools.
The practice has been prevalent, in
some townships, of having the school
term divided into Summer and Winter
term, under the direction of different
teachers / have endeavoredto discharge
this practice, and to induce the Directors
to have the school opened early in the
Fall and continue, under the same teach
er, as long as the funds would permit.
| The great disadvantage of two short
terms, taught by different teachers, with
long interval between, must be very ap-
parent to every one. In addition to this,
it seriously interferes with the visitation
of the school by the Superintendent, the
summer schools being very small embrac-
ing only few elementary scholars. If
these schools are visited in the summer,
they cannot be visited, in many counties,
in the Winter, when they are much larg-
er and more interesting. There should be
but one term, SO long as it is limited to 3
and 8 months.