The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-04-05

avail to secure local taxation. Neces-
sary Improvements Of a public char
acter, besides the school, must suffer
until the burden Of bad legislation is
removed from the shoulders of the
people. Yet, in any event, hope the
corporate authorities may be persua-
ded to consider the public school as
the most important Of public institu-
tions, and reflect that patronage be-
slowed upon it will, in the future,
materially relieve the expenses of
court-houses and jails, by giving to
their charge fewer cIlprits and enemies
to society, made SO BY their neglect
to assume the guardianship of the
growing youth.
LEGISLATION.
It is hoped that our legislators will
restrain tn cir earnest desire to win
glory and fame by tampering with
the school law. Two Legislatures Of
this State in succession, about once
in six months, gave ear to some meas
ure by which both the law and work
became complicated and embarrassing.
l would respectfully recommend that
the law remain in all its details as at
present, believing it better to endure
Il few impracticable> features than to
rush to an evil we know not of. School
officials are becoming familiar with
its execution, and they should not be
discouraged with a new lesson in the
shape of a new law.
TEACHERS INSTITUTES.
A teachers institute was held in
this division at Franklin, St. Mary
Parish, in 1871. 1t was we'll 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 thatit will be attended by
the most profitable results.
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
I would respectfully recommend
that system Of official reports he
adopted Of more convenient and
practical form than those now in use.
Many secretaries continue with the
old forms and express preference
because they convey all necessary in
formation, in mailable shape, and pos
sess and require no complicated tabu-
lations, at the expense Of valuable
time and labor.
OFFICIAL VISITS.
It is impossible to estimate the
value of Il WE'LL timed visit of Il school
official to the scllool-room, us All aid
and encouragement to the teacher.
For reasons already stated have been
deprived of the pleasure of witness
ing the manner and method of work
performed in a large majority of the
schools in my division. The school
directors, in a number of parishes, as
| learn from the reports Of teachers,
have exhibited q keen appreciation of
their duties, ard have gratitied teach
ers and pupils by occasional visits. 4
director can not, with clear con-
science, report to the Division Super
intendent a school-house in good con-
dition or schools under good discip-
line that he has never visited OF adj
dressed, or examined to !: 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 OF under
the law to employ an incompetent or
an unworthy teacher.
VISITS OF PATRONS.
1t is gratifying to receive intelli-
gence that at some points in the di-
vision, parents and others do some-
times step into the school-room and
watch the little ones. They encour-
age the teacher by their presence,
because teachers are as 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
and otherwise conscious Of Il
controlling supervision, and the teach
er's task loses its uncheerfulness and
to 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 neighborhood-NoT
ONE of the busy, bustling world has
crossed the threshold Of the school
house, and they are not appreciated
or cared for by a 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. It is hoped that another year
will demonstrate an increased interest
in public schools. A cordial invita-
ton 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.