The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-03-29
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TEACHERS INSTITUTES.

"A CeacnefS' INSTITUTE was nelu Ill
this division at Franklin, St. Mary
Parish, in 1871. 1t was well attended,
most practical in it's character, and
enlisted the favor of the teachers. l
respectfully recommend that the ex-
pertinent be repeated, having reason
to believe that it will be attended by
the most profitable results.
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
I would respectfully recommend
that system of official reports be
adopted of more convenient and
practical form than those now in use.
Many secretaries continue with the
old forms and express q preference
because they convey all necessary in
formation, in mailable shape, and pos
sess and require 10 complicated tabn-
lations, at the expense of valuable
time and labor.
OFFICIAL VISITS.
1t is impossible to estimate the
value of well timed visit of a school
official to the school-room, as an aid
and encouragement to the teacher.
For reasons already stated I have been
deprived of the pleasure of witness
ing the manner and method of work
performed in large majority of the
schools in my division. The school
directors, in a number of parishes, as
l learn from the reports of teachers,
have exhibited a keen appreciation of
their duties, and have gratified teach
crs and pupils by occasional visits. A
director can not, with clear con-
science, report to the Division Super
intendent school house in good con-
dition or schools under good discip-
line THAT he has never visited or add
dressed, or examined to q responsible
extent. He certainly can form no
estimate of the value of IL teacher
until he has visited the field of labor;
and he has no right in justice or under
the law to employ an incompetent or
an unworthy teacher.
VISITS OF PATRONS.
1t is gratifying to receive intelli-
gencc that ut some points in the di-
vision, parents and others do some
times step into the school-room and
watch tho little ones. They encour-
age the teacher 10y their presence,
because teachers are us other people,
susceptible to flattery, and it is flat
tering to them to be made aware by
parents that their work is worthy of
their attention. The pupils feeling
that bond of sympathy exists be-
tween parents and teacher, become
morally and otherwise conscious Of II
controlling supervision, and the teach
cr's task loses its uncheelfulness and
monotony to a great degree. Teach
ers write to the Division Superinten-
dent in italicized words of Indignation,
complimented with formidable excla-
nation points that not one Of the many
parents in their n6ighborhood-NoT
ONE of the busy, bustling world has
crossed the threshold Of the school
house, and they are not appreciated
or cared for 10y single human being
no, not one! A parent is not doing
Justice to the child, is liable to do
great injustice to the teacher, is en-
couraging poor schools and is negli-
gent to officials by avoiding the school
room. 1t is hoped that another year
will demonstrate an increased interest
in public schools. A cordial invita-
tion is extended to every public spir-
tied individual to visit the schools,
afterward criticise their conduct as
they shall deserve; and if evils exist
and local directors refuse to correct
them, let them call upon the editor of
the village newspaper and have the
aforesaid directors blown to atoms
tiguratively speaking.
DONATIONS.
Secretary j. w. Bryan of Calcasieu
donated to the school board of that
parish the sum of one thousand dol
lars, as appears by his official report.
Besides being one of the most prompt
and energetic of the school officials OF
the division, he stands at the head of
the list of benef;rtors of the schools,
whose acts speak louder than their
words. In these days of scarcity of
school funds, and when teachers Won
der and speculate on the probabilities
of the future, donations Of limited
amounts would, no doubt, be thank
fully received and appropriated to
proper use by the different boards OF
directors. In many localities the
school work has been happily for
warded by the donations of buildings,
free of rent, for accommodations of
schools. Let donors receive their
thanks from the little ones protected
from the inclemency of the weather,
and let them feel that their gifts are
remembered gratefully and thank
fully by their respective communl-
ties.
SPECIAL MENTION.
I would not do justice to the school
work itself, or to my own sense OF its
propriety, if l did not call attention
to the laborers and the faithful dis
charge of duty on the part OF DIR. 6.
w. Johnston, President OF the School
Board Of St. Martin parish; DR.. Geo.
J. Colgin, Secretary of the Iberia Par
ish and New Iberia Town Board L.
E. SALES, Secretary of Lafayette Par