Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-03-27
School Report from Lowell.

FeLIO,0 T'o,onsmer-Th he time has
come for the annual survey of our
schools In one view | can make
cheering report of them the past year.
Looking at the schools from another
point of observation, the view is not
so fattering. Taking our position
upon the past, and measuring BY the
common standard, the comparisons with
schools of other years, and those in
other places might, no doubt, be favor
able. But when we adopt the abso-
lutte standard, things will be found not
quite perfect yet. When we see what
thorough mastery ought to be gained
of che elementary branches, reading
and spelling-that is so as to read un-
derstandingly, and therefore EXPIRES
sively-and spell the words in COM
mon use with ready accuracy; when
we see what sharp, clear, quickness of
thought should be brought out by
school training; what accuracy and
facility of expression ought to lie Sc
cured; what habits of attention and
good manners ought to be cultivated;
what promptness and punctualiti and
integrity ought to result from sthool
discipline; when we think of thelc clear
discernment and statement of thelfacts
of the case, and the modest confidence
Of expression; of the refnement and
courtesy OF demeanor; of the patient
investigation by labor of both mind
and body; that needs to be taud dht to
every child, and may and should be
learned 10 our common school; when
we think of all these and many other
like things, we are slow to say the ERE is
no room for Improvement. Iftit be
asked what have the studies and iexer-
cises of our schools to do with these
elements that form character; may
be replied, they may and heiefore
ought to have very much to do il this
direction. Every hours study, aid ev-
cry recitation, every roll call and re-
cess in school, can and should do fome-
thing to improve the pupil in Fome-
thing besides books. His knowledge
and thinking will be all the more and
better for every gain he makes liz
bringing out and improving hisIchar-
acter. ls @
But it is the schools you wish to
hear from, and not to listen I'd theo-
ries and possibilities in regard 10 the
schools. s
Dist. No. l. Summer school taught
by Miss Chastina III. Roberts, WAS a
school in which this teacher showed
her rare ability to organize andI carry
forward her school. This, your tuper-
intendent has observed in her Schools
elsewhere. No. of pupils was lt5.-
The attendance of the school wal such
as to save four ffths of the timk, had
it not been for 81 tardinesses. Reck-
oning these to amount to one fourth
day each, which is low enough, and
that reduces the average little below
four ffths. No. of classes wal A.;
time for each 7 1-2 minutes. With
this multiplicity of classes the number
of exercises was too great for her to
reach all of them every day. But
close attention on my part tb the
school did not show any place Fhere
she could put classes togethe1 with
profit. ia aa5tqaszs w
! Winter term taught by Miss Mary
E. Caldwell, in the higher depart iment,
and Miss Hattie E. Bates in thk low
er. No. of pupils in the highdf 81.
Amount of school saved by attend
ance nearly four fifths. Loss Of time
by tardiness at one fourth dayIeach,