Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-03-22
pelluws falls Times,
BELLOWS FALLS, MAR, %, 1872,
school superintendent's Report.

PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE TOWN
Mr.. Moderator and fellow citizens -
Twelve districts in this town have sus
tanned schools during the past year SIX
months each, and one nine months
making in all 299 weeks or 1893 days OF
school. Equivalent to 69S32 days for
one scholar. The aggregate number OF
days attendance was 4970S leaving 20124
days attendance lost by absence exclu-
sive of parts of days lost by hardness
So that nearly one-third of the schools
and expense of sustaining them has been
lost by absences and truants.
There have been four male and twenty
two female teachers employed. The ag-
gregate amount of their wages exclusive
of board was s2204,00. Your superin'
tendent has visited each school one or
more times and made such suggestions
as seemed needful.
Most of the districts have succeeded in
obtaining quite efficient teachers. Some
of the teachers have failed, in the great
work before them, from a want Of abili-
ty in government and general manage
ment, having limited conceptions of the
practical work of the school-room and
inadequate appreciation of children and
childhood, although qualified according
to the terms prescribed by law.
In few districts the houses are very
poor. The grounds and apparatus con-
nected with most of the school houses
in town aie not sufficiently adapted to
the wants of the scholars, so that the
best and most healthful development of
the scholars is lost. The Fairgrounds
are crowded into the streets thereby ex-
posing the children to personal danger
and temptation to rudeness of manners.
The Importance of securing thorough
and efficient teachers, of good executive
ability, who can adapt themselves to the
wants of the school, who think them
selves and can teach those under them
to do the same, is apparent to all. A few
of the districts aim TO secure permanent
teachers. The advantages of such a
system is illustrated in the Grammar
school in district No. 1, and the Primary
school in district No. 8.
Some of the districts have three short
terms of eight weeks each with differ
ent teacher each term. This rotation of
teachers is a most absurd arrangement.
1t is calculated to pulverize instruction,
and create in the community state OF
indifference. 1t tends to sort of moral
equilibrium which nothing can disturb.
The teacher is professedly the educator.
In his work all educational influences
concentrate Soon his must be a recog-
nized profession. Every measure which
tends to elevate the profession should be
encouraged. 1t has been truly said that
next to the duty of saving, it is the Of.
flee of leading out the SOUL" To the
teachers care for certain hours during a
long period are intrusted the children
and youth, who bring to him in their diff.
terent characters, influences derived from
paternal instruction, from the surround
ing community, and their own material
natures. From these germs of charac
ter, the teacher max es the State the ma
ton. To no other human agency is the
future of our State SO fully committed
Therefore, it concerns US as citizens
most deeply, to know the character o.
the teacher in the various grades of in
struction, how he is prepared for tn,
work, which he proposes to do and does
and with what instrumentalities he la
bors. $50 5A
Then gentlemen, in looking for teach
ers seek for those of experience and abil
ity, who are governed by law higher
than any law of mans devising. Those
who are Jealous in their work, those
whose hearts are in it, and who intend tc
make teaching business, not max,
shifts. There are many who max eteach
ing temporary occupation stepping
stone 10 other pursuits. This is honor
able when they are duly qualified for th,
noblest of human duties. ,t,
In district No. /, many of the citizens
are taking broader and more enlarged
views in relation to school affairs. Thi
school has made great Improvement un
ner permanent corps of teachers. Yer,
soon it will be necessary to enlarge thei
accommodations of the school, in ordel
to meet the wants of the village. Will
ample rooms, and thorough, earnest
hard working teacher at the head. tn,
future of this school is brilliant one
In it, all the scholars might obtain a
good instruction as in any school in tn
county. If this school or one like it 70
nucleus were situated more in the cen
ire OF the town, or, if there were two O
three such schools, located SO as to &C
commodate all the families in town.
would earnestly recommend the speed
adoption of the town system and the di.
Cal.