St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-03-19
VOLUME 80 2-NUMBER 1851

the neighborhood. where neatness anC
order reign, but here, inspired by the cir
cumstances, turbulence and disorder, in
a moderate degree at least, characterize
the youthful assemblage.
Here day after day the teacher is
doomed to 90 through the rounds of his
thankless tasks, cheered and encouraged
by no parental visitants smile
Is it any wonder that gifted, expert
enced and high minded teachers whose
talents demand appreciation soon turn
aside from this vocation Nay, is it moi
a marvel that so many of this class are
found to grace our school rooms?
These evils lie within your power tc
remedy. Indeed the time has come tc
lnaugurate these needful reforms Ii NO
larger sums can be raised and appro-
priated to schools purposes, then let the
terms OF school be shortened, and the
teacher be better remunerated.
The needed reform in respect 10 house.
has already commenced. There are q
few neat, well constructed school houses
in town and several that need repairs
and improvements. 1t is with pleasure
that we can make mention of the new
house i'll Lyndonville. Its rooms are
pleasant, cOmmodious and attractive. Ii
is hoped that this work will 20 on, and
the happy results be realized in every
/ district
In regard to the importance and utili-
ty OF black boards, wall maps, clocks,
thermometers and globes,-we refer you
to the recommendations of the Board of
Educatlon,and to the complaints all over
the state found i'll the Reports of Town
Superintcndents. First let school build
ings be ample and well ventilated-thei,
properly furnished. Sci: denying super
lntendents and parents can do much for
the elevation OF our schools; but the
district officers hold by far the most res
pOnsible positions for the successful op-
Grafton OF our school system in this state.
Clerks and prudential committees should
be enlightened and judicious men. Their
duties should be well understood and
promptly performed. The committee
should be careful in the selection of the
teacher and know that the requisite GER
titicate has been obtained before the school
is commenced. Let every district he
mindful, Tor the year TO come, to elect
men OF the right stamp, prompt, faithful,
law abiding men tor prudential commit
tees.
/ For the purpose of exciting teelin.
of dissatisfaction with our present condi-
ton and OF producing conviction that
we ought to make renewed eXertions to
promote the interests of education we
have thus generalIzei. |.
But in Justice to the citizens, teachers
and scholars of this town, l must not fail
TO say that | think we have been sigular-
ly fortunate in our schools the past year.
Our schools with the exception Of two
terms, have been taught by females No
difficulties have occurred TO claim the
notice OF your superintendent. The
teachers have been laborious and faithful
and have given cheering satisfaction in
most cases both TO superintendent and
employers. The scholars, judging from a
slight inspection, but more especially
from the general character of the schools
have made commendable progress and
acquitted themselves with honor. The
schools are still in progress, doing well
In conclusion let me say that in my
belief, there is an increasing interest
cherished 10 have better school houses,
good teachers and the necessary facili-
4O, to ,lt
teal education in the district school.
We love our children. Let their NOR
al and intellectual cultivation challenge
our highest regards.
We insist, as a matter prime impor-
tance, that the bible be read daily in all
our schools by those able to do so-and
be regarded as the foundation of christian
morals, as well as tue palladium of our
civil and religious hopes.
We would also earnestly recommend
that music-vocal music-be taught and
practised in every district school where
the teacher POSSESSES the requisite musl-
cal talent, or where scholars are able 10
direct such exercises. Its utility needs
no argument. 1t is not doubted.
Let the heart of every citizen beat
more lively and in nobler sympathy with
our primary schools, as well as with the
higher Summaries of learning. And
may our glorious free school system flour
ish and extend over our own country
and finally become the common heritage
of man. Respectfully submitted,
l.. B. TAsKER,
Supt. Of Schools in Lyndon, Vt.