Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-08-18

| central high school, ior the advantage OF the
more advanced students. This is the true
idea of education, and will, at once, COM
mend itself to the public. The expenses of
four children sent to boarding school, for
one year, will be more than the employment
of first class teacher, for the same time,
in one of the contemplated schools. This
arrangement will give all the children in the
several districts equal advantages, while at
the same time they viii be under the control
of their parents.
Elementary Instruction Underrated 1t
is considered, by too many, that teachers
without the requisite qualifications, and with
little or no experience, are good enough to
impart instructions in a primary school.
This is sad mistake, and the evil effects
of such course are perceptible in after lite,
when it is observed that book advancement
has been made without the development of
the mind. Subsequent training may never
correct errors thus committed iu early life.
The very best teachers, therefore, should be
placed in charge of the little ones" AT
first they should be taught very little from
the book, but by the living voice of the
teacher.
EDUCATIONAL WORK DONE BY SUPERINTENDENT.
This has, as heretofore, consisted in teach
ing local normal school, holding examina-
tions, visiting schools, conducting county
institute, &c. Held 25 public and private
examinations; issued I50 provisional GER
tifcates; renewed II from other counties J;
visited 220 schools, an average of three hours
each; wrote 323 letters; taught 3 months
normal school, for the better preparation of
teachers; travelled 2470 miles and spent,
officially, 27S days.
Fsitation--All the schools that were in
operation, while in district, were visited.
| began my visitation immediately after the
schools opened and continued them until
their close. Was accompanied, generally,
by directors and parentss who, from their
zeal and anxiety to have their schools i'm
prove, gave me words of cheer and encour-
agement in this arduous work.
County Institute county institute
convened at Curwensvillc, on the Goth of
October, and was by far the most successful
yet held in the county, and continued in
session six days. One hundred and ten
teachers were present and large number OF
citizens. We received valuable assistance
from Professors /. S. Geist, of Marietta,
and j. w. Shoemaker, of Philadelphia, who
lectured on various subjects; also Revs.
Buckley, Williams, Group, Gray and Hays,
who took an active part in the discussions.
Lectures, essays, and class drills were the
order of business The teachers unanimous
ly expressed themselves highly pleased, and
| have every reason to know much good was
accomplished The effects, in variou.
schools were afterwards quite visible.
Summary of Work during Term-Held
20 public and 10 private examinations; is
sued 453 certificates visited 53S schools, an
average of two hours and fifty minutes each;
wrote SIC letters; taught II months nor
NAL school; attended two superintendent
conventions; conducted two county insti-
tutes travelled 59O2 miles; and was en-
gagged, officially, 775 days, besides hundred
and one things not mentioned.
EDUCATIONAL WORK DONE BY OTHER AGENCIES
Private schools are taught in many of the
school houses, during summer, but are a
dapted more particularly to the wants OF be-
ginners. Four or five select schools are now
in successful operation. but did not open
until the beginning of the new year, and
hence further reference to them, in this re-
l.. Il
for more such schools whose direct object is
the preparation of teachers.
A school established for ladies, in Clear
field borough. by Miss Hattie Swan, has had
an increased attendance, and is rapidly
growing into popular favor. 1t has materi
ally aided in preparing teachers and if
properly sustained, as it certainly will be,
with her experience, energy, and persever-
ance, will prove lasting benefit, lot only
to the patrons, but the common school sys-
tenn.
The Susauebanna Select School, under
the control of Mr.. j. S. Smith, in Bell tp.,
has done noble work, and created an inter
est never before felt in that section.
<1CUutHttcS. w nave oiiC III SfOdl hCiO3
which is in charge of Rev. p. l.. Harr ison,
A. NJ, and SO lar as we have learned is
doing good work. 1t is not, however, we
think, SO literally patronized throughout
the county as an institution of this kind
should be-
The Press.-The county press is on the
right side, and the editors have rendered
the use of their columns for any article
favoring the cause. They have and will, in
this way, render material aid, for which
they have the thanks of the teachers in the
county.
Parental Visits considerable increase,
in some localities, in the number of visits to
the schools by parents. Heretofore, they
either have had great confidence in the di-
rectors and teachers or were very little in
terested in the education Of their children.
1t is observed as general rule, that the
children of those parents who visit the
schools most, appear, at least, to make more
true progress, are more regular in attend
ance, and more obedient. 1t is earnestly
r.