Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-03-16

ana the trouble that had existed in
the district before she came. Visited
her school once and found it going on
we'll. Miss Cushing has good edu-
cation and fine talents, with experi-
ence she can make first class teach
er.
DISTRICT No. This district has
a large number of scholars and ought
to grade its school, The average at
tendance for the last two terms was
forty-twO, a number much too LARGE to
be taught by one teacher in a school
that is not graded. The summer
term was taught by Miss L. N. D. Flint.
The teacher was very active, kept up
a good interest, had as good order as
could be expected from the number of
Ipuplls, did much by conversation and
example to stimulate and encourage
her scholars and closed her school
with credit.
Miss Annette Shaw taught a fall
school here of eight weeks; as was
unable to visit it | cannot report in
relation to it.
The winter term was taught by
Daniel Skinner. Mr.. Skinner is an
old teacher and is competent On ac-
count OF age, experience, and educa-
ton, to keep a good school. His
school was noisy but not disorderly.
\ partial examination showed that the
instruction had been thorough. The
school was governed bv kindness and
tirmness, rather than arbitrary author
ity.
DISTRICT No. 8.-This is a very
small district, there are only twelve
scholars in it. One term of school
was had during the year; this was
taught by Miss Martha l.. Dorm. a
young and inexperienced teacher
HE teacher passed a good examina-
tIon, and did as well as she could do.
but the school was Of little account
The scholars were not sent regularly
or IN season; sometimes the school
was without scholars. Committees
and parents must expect poor scholars
when they employ the Youngest and
poorest teachers and ALLOW their child
rem to govern them and the schools.
DIS. No, 9.-Tbis school is quite
large aad is composed Of small schol
airs, the two terms were taught bv
ladies, the summer term by Mis-
Martha Cobb, the winter term by Miss
Ann +. Virgins. Both schools were
GOOD and gave satisfaction 50 far as I
learned. Miss Cobb excelled in or
der, Miss Virgins in the care OF her
school house, she laborcd also very
hard both in and out Of school and
Was.a successful as the average OF
teachers.
In one district there has been no
school during the year. the Devereau
district i'll the east part OF the town.
With few exceptions the schools in
tins town the past year have been
more than ordinarily successful.
The Importance of our common
schooiscannot be0ver estimated from
them as from a fountain. flow the in
iuences that tend to elevate DeoDle in
the standard Of virtue and greatness.
They are, in this country. particularly,
the basis upon which is founded the
fabric OF ali our nobIest institutions
and the means OF educating the masses
III the love and appreciation Of Il re-
publican government. Whatever
tends to benefit our public schools.
tends to dilluse the spirit of beneyo-
lence, enterprise and reform through
outthe land. The interest heretofore
manifested n educational matters
should not abate however important
may be other matters that engage the
public attention The cost of sup
porting schools is one of the greatest
public expenses, having been in this
town during the past year more than
fifteen hundred dollars. The impor.
acknowledgement of thcc0mon schools.
would seem to produce a great inter
est IN their behalf, such unhappiIv is
not the case. No matter Of 50 vital
Importance, except it may be religion.
IS so grossly neglected. 1t is not
enough to erect school houses. appro-
pirate money, hire teachers. and turn
pupils into the school room. with Tar
less care than is exercised for cattle. F..
turned away upon a mountain pasture.
Citizens and parents can exert in
tiuences upon schools, with little effort
on their part, that would make them
OF much greater worth. Teachers
should be better appreciated and bet
ter paid. The spirit Of GOODNESS and
envy, and the seeming desire on the
part OF many to find some weakness
and fault in their character, is entire
ly wrong. While they are in charge
Of your schools, they are the guardians
OF your best interests, and the in
liuences that they have upon the minds
Of your children will last forever
cannot, therefore, afford to tradnce
OF belittle teachers in the opinions of
their pupils. Teachers do not rise to
the perfection Of angels by becoming
the masters Of school rooms, the pub
he should not expect it; nor do they
sink so low by the commission of one
mistake, that theymust be derided and
abused by the SANDER of whole com
munlty. Schools are not visited as
often as they ought to be. Not one
parent III fifty in this town has visited
a school within the last year. 1t is
Idle to argue the advantage of the re-
verse OF this practice. Scholars are not
cheered and interested in their labors
at home, they are permitted to remain
at home or are obliged to remain
there when their time would be most
valuable in school.
Another thing, as it appears to me,
IS having bad influence upon schools: