The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-02-13
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
A Visit to the Education Factories Of
ManitOWOc.
THE THIRD NARD SCHOOI

We think perhaps we o-7e an apology to
Miss Annie Mckinley who presides over
this school, for we promised to make an
other visit to her rooms before writing
this report. Such was our intention, but
unforeseen events have transpired which
for the present make it impossible for
us to do so. 1t seems the day we were
there an assistant teacher had been added
to the school which necessitated the for
nation of new classes, and this was in
| progress when we arrived 1t is not
strange that the principal should desire
to have her school seen under more fav-
orable aspects.
The Sd Ward school was started Octo-
Der 29th 1866, with Miss Mckinley as
principal, and one other teacher, Assis-
taht. There were then some fifty schol-
ars, but the number rapidly increasing it
soon became apparent that new build
ing was absolutely necessary. A tax was
voted and steps taken to have the house
put up Immediately A site was select
ed facing the west side of Washington
Park-an excellent location-and plenty
of ground secured; six lots, if we are
not misinformed. A brick building some
35x55 two stories high was made ready
for occupancy in the fall Of 1867 It is
not yet completed, there being no desks
nor stationary seats, but in their places
tables and chairs are used. The Board
have wisely decided, we think, to put in
iron desks, but this cannot be accom-
piished until next summer This build
ing is the only one in town that is fit for
scholars to study in The rooms are very
high, the windows let down from the top,
affording any amount Of ventilation and
when finally furnished and fully complet-
ed must be pleasant and attractive in the
extreme. And we were gratified to OBJ
serve that the building was strong and
substantial In its construction; no fear Of
its ever tumbling down. But there is
one error which should be rectifed at
| once: the door of the upper room opens
inward-the reverse should be the case
Start an alarm of fire when that room is
crowded with children and the probabili-
ty is the door could not be opened at ALL
The only hope Of salvation would be in
jumping out Of the windows. 1t may be
said there is no place for the door to
swing out then we say male place.
The first class we heard was in reading
The scholars did very we'll considering
their age and the circumstances. With
hundred pupils under her care the
teacher was compelled to call on the
| older scholars to hear the reading classes
and consequently we were not surprised
that their efforts We're faulty, Blu
with a regular assistant she is able to
hear these classes herself and they vii
now make rapid improvement. A class
in Higher Arithmetic gave their rules
with ease, and evinced an understanding
of them which is only adduced by hard
study. Geometrical progression is no
easy matter for young minds to see
through. The next exercise was some
thing entirely different from anything we
have found at any other school visited.
Perhaps other schools teach it but we
have seen nothing of it. We refer to the
practice Of Calisthenics. As many Of our
readers are probably aware, this word is
from the two Greek words signifying
beautiful and strength, and Webster de-
fines its meaning as, 'The art, science OF
practice Of healthful exercise Of the body
and limbs, to promote strength and
! graceful movement" In the case under
consideration some ten minutes before
recess the whole school arose and com
menced exercising. 1t was worth tramp
all the way oyer there to see this inter-
esting spectacle. One hundred scholars
going through the various evolutions
with the regularity of clockwork, and a
force that made things jar, told plainly
| OF future strength and usefulness. We
speak at length on this subject because,
if IL is not, we think it should be intro
ducedinto every school in the place When
all tired out with brain work, what a
relief it is to get up and swing the arms
and stretch the body It's relief be-
cause it is necessary to the wel-being of
the system. This through with, several
songs were sung In a sprightly, vivacious
manner and the school then went out to
take the air. We heard a class in Geog-
raphy recite to Miss Ida kemper, but
as the scholars all had their lessons, and
Miss K. had but just assumed her duties,
We had but little opportunity to Judge of
her capabilities We should think. how
ever, that she was well qualified for her
position. A class in Physical Geography
III the first room went through their lesson
with credit In fact we thought it the
best reciting we had heard for a long
| time. The government in this room is
an absolute monarchy" We will give
the scholars the credit of obeying the
rules of the school strictly, of their own
accord, but we must believe they would
have to whether they wanted to or no.
Not that we saw anybody hurt; nothing
of the kind, but we saw that the teacher
kept her eyes on every scholar, and that
discipline was constantly maintained. 1t
| is essential that such should be the case
where there are SO many congregated in
one room. We believe Miss Mckinley
is fully appreciated by the residents OF