The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-01-07
County Teachers Association

OOunCy 1SaCneTS ASSOClaC1on.
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec both and
31st, at the High School, Kenosha.
HIGH SCHOOL ROOM, Kenosha,
Wednesday P. NJ. Dec. Both, 1868.
The Association was called to. order by
. the President Superintendent Hannah,
at o'clock, with goodly number of the
teachers of the county present. After in
troductory remarks by the President, the
following committees were appointed
Recsptdon-D F. Hicks, F. T. Lee.
School Superintendent. N. Frank,
Capt r. Graham, Prof. G. S. Albee.
Proper Iqcentioes,-R. Graham, J. P.
Briggs, FL. Barnes A
Object of Recitation Prof G. S. Albee,
D. F. Hicks, D. H. Flett i.
LrreguIarjty Of Attendtnee F. T. Lee,
FL. B .rnes, NJ. Fellows
Music.--R Graham, Misses Doolittle
and Clapp. 50 NAs ~
A class exercise in Mathematical Geog-
raphy followed, under the charge of Prof
Albee. He began with few practical
remarks on the utility OF the study, and
then in very lucid manner proceeded to
illustrate the subject on the blackboard
and globe. He dwelt particularly on me-
ridians and the foolish custom OF many
countries in establishing principal merid-
ians for themselves, aside from that gene
rally recognized as the prime meridian,
passing through Greenwich. At the close
of the exercise, several questions were
asked pertaining to the subject, all Of
which were satisfactorily disposed Of by
the teacher 0
Mr. Hosea Barnes next read an inter
esting paper entitled "The Nebular Thco-
ryp 1t was listened to attentivcly, and
the ideas advanced in reference to the or
igin, shape and future prospects of the
earth, were undoubtedly new to some.
Following short recess, the Com. on
Irregularity of Attendance was called up
On to report. The report was unani-
mously adopted, after remarks by Messrs..
Albee and Graham, in which the stirring
up" process recommended by the Com.
was made The principal topic of remark.
The following is the
REPORT.
f.Il Your Com. on IrTegularlty Of Attend
81 ance would report that they regard this as
g an obstacle to the real efficiency Of our
schools, whose magnitude can hardly be
r estimated The teacher alone can appre-
z ciate its pernicious influence on a school.
1t hinders its progress, and absences
thereby defraud those who are regular in
attendance by just so much rs their al
yancement is retarded It checks the en-
thusiasm of the teacher, often rendering Of
- little or no avail his best directed efforts.
It exerts no less deleterious influence On
the pupilhimself 1t retards his mental
Development by breaking in upon the
regular and connected steps which are
necessary to a true unfolding of the mind
It has a direct tendency to lessen his in
terests in his studies. 1t is detrimental to
The formation of correct habits of character
Lastly, large portion of the States an
nual gfatuity for school privileges is by
this means lost to the accomplishment OF
the wise and benifcent purpose for which
it is Designed q }3AfH
These facts call loudly for the devising
is possible, of some judicious and appro-
! pirate remedy for the mitigation, if not
the total eradication of the evil Y our
committee offer the Following suggestions
for your consideration.
1t is believed that much may be accom-
plished, first, by local. effort, second, by
DISQUALIFICATION. lJt30LO
Locag effort A more general and in
telligent interest on the part of patrons is
needed Irregularity is owing chiefly to
5 the lack of an active interest sympathy
and appreciation on the part Of the mass
es, in reference to the great and immedi
ate benefits to the individual, the commit
nifty, and the State, of the maintenance of
as excellent common schools, and the neces-
as sity of a regular and pnnctual attendance
to secure these benefts-as indicated in
the fact that school visitation, close scru-
tiny of the qualifications of teachers, and
the enforcement Of punctuality, reguari
ty and continuity of attendance, exist
scarcely more than in name. A teacher
- can do much to arouse a community from
its apathy in school matters, 1st, by Great
ing an enthusiastic interest among pupils
In their studies and rendering the school
room and its associations so interesting,
& That they will attracted from a love
= anu IOnuheSS LOT Ine1n3 zimmerman by the
amusements and ffolics of the playground
s. alone. In this way . direct influence will
be exerted through them upon the parents.
End, By visitation of patrons, especially
those whose children are irregular in at
tendance. This wiliado much toawaken
an interest," and then, by judicious APP
peals, he may urge upon them the necessi-
ty ofregularity and gpunctuality, in order
that the greatest good may be accom-