The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-10
LOCAL MATTERS.
Richmond Public EchooHs-What q
Kew York Superintendent Thinks
Os Them ..E

Richmond Public scIlools-What q
Kew York Superintendent Thinks
Of Them.
N. A. Calkins, Esq, Assistant Supe rim
tendent Schools, New York city, visited
our schools in January last, by invitation of
The Board Of Education of this CITY. On his
return home ne writes the following letter !:
"DEPARTAENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
SUPERINTENDENT OFFICE,
ti4e Grand st.,} New YORK, Jan. 81, II.
10 the Honorable the Board of Education of
the City Of Richmond, Va:
Gentlemen :--Allow me to return nv
thanks to your Honorable Board for the
very complimen entary resolutions which Won
passed relative to my recent visit to the
pubHc schools of your city. These resolu
tions had the honor of submitting to the
Board of Education ofNew York, in brief
report of my visit, and they were entered
in full on the minutes. 4 copy of this re-
port is transmitted herewith. May this be
d record Of only the beginning of an ex-
change OF many educational civilities be-
tween these two cities.
The occasion of my visit to your public
schools was one Of great interest to myself,
and will be ever remembered with much
pleasure. The organization Of q system Of
public education in any place Is period of
great Importance, both to the present and
perfection and success of any system OF
education must depend largely upon the
manner Of its establishment. Happy is that
city who entrusts the management of the
affairs pertaining to the education of her
children to men known for wisdom Of coun-
sci, who understand and appreciate the
needs of its citizens, and who act with the
sole object of the greatest good for the peo-
pie.
In company with your efficient Superin-
tendent and several Of your own members
I visited twenty-five of your public schools,
saw the provisions made for educating the
children, and observed the character of the
instruction given. 1t was also my pleasure
to meet your assembled teachers each day
during my visit, and witness their earnest
ness in improving every opportunity for
fitting themselves to perform their work as
teachers more successfully. 1t was exceed
ingly gratifying to find so many evidences
efficient system of public schools, and that
80 much has already been accomplished by
the energy and tact of your Superintendent
towards establishing the best methods Of
teaching.
The citizens of Richmond have cause to
be proud of the steps already taken by her
Board of Education towards perfecting an
excellent system of public instruction, by
means of which their children may obtain
an education equal to the best there is fur
nisned in any schools. Let the good work.
so well begun, 60 on under the same wise
management, and the day will not be far
distant when the people can point with just
pride to your schools as among the best in
Che country.
Let teachers of the best ability be chosen,
and those who make the greatest progress
and pupils and teachers and schools will all
advance together to higher standards of eX.
cellence and greater efficiency in education
With many pleasant recoIlections of the
time spent in your city, l remain,
Very truly yours,
n. a. CALKINs,