Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-01-21
Annual Report of the City School
Superintendent.


Gentlemen of the Board of Education =
I have the honor to herewith submit M,
report of tho condition of the schools o
this city, during the Fall Term, endins
December 10th. 1873.
1t has been truly said that there is ne
better index of the hopes community
may bsse on the future, than the condition
the condition of our schools, will in tn al
case, justify US in boldly entertaining
such hopes, and therefore, so much the
speak for them that watchful care and
attention Of yours, which you have be.
slowed on them 50 far, and without which
there can be no thorough success in their
| management.
For the friendly encouragement and
ready support, have at all times received
at your hands, feel gratefully obliged to
you. 10 compliance with resolution mum
Der /, passed by you in your meeting OF
June 4th, 1878, | have, after teaching u y
own classes, about four hours every day,
devoted the remaining two hours to visit
| ing, by turns, the several grades of all the
| schools, supervising, advising the teachers,
and chiefly directing my attention upon a
thorough and intelligent comprehe u SOL
| of our graded course. Much was, and
| still Is, left to be done in that respect
less time to be given to dry details of un-
important topics, and more ; ttention to
what can be used in every day life; in
fine, % give to our youth such kno Wedge
which will cause them to look back upon
their school days as time we'll spent.
The spirit Of the age demands this kind of
education.
Since more than a dozen of years have
earnestly endeavored to realize those prin-
ciples and to impress upon our teachers
the necessity OF working in the same
spirit.
We have not been without success. The
educated boys and girls Of our schools
are fast conquering the places held by
those Of fewer advantages. But as said
before, still much is left to be done.
Altogether can not but acknoH ledge
the general good will and zeal Of al our
teachers, TO second my endeavors. Some
Of them, indeed, have been 80 long identi-
fed with our school system as almost to
become part Of the same, it having been
festuie of the management of our school
boards to retain those who by their work
had shown their worth. Most Of tho
younger teachers besides, have formerly
been successful pupils Of our schools, and
1t is very natural to see them willing to
teach in the same spirit, in which they
have heen raised.
TO one thing | must not forget to d.
rect your attention wish you would
earnestly assist me in Prevailing upon the
parents Of our pupils to visit our schools.
Parents, indeed, are slow to realize the
fact that it is their duty to know more Of
what is being done with their children,
and little observation in the school-room
is a much better test of the value of the
school, than much house, street or saloon
talk. Besides, teachers want this kind of
encouragement, and then they arc but
human beings, and have many things to
struggle with. Honest criticism, Kind ad-
| vice about the peoulisrities of q child,
hints % to his wants from the parent, are
always in order, and when given in prop
er spirit, will be thankfully received. l
doubt whether many parents have realized
the fact that their children spend more
| hours with the teacher than with them
during the two hundred days Of the year
they are attending school. There are few
parents who have child under their i'm
mediate care six hours every day, and yet
tho teacher does. How important then
that he should be visited, consulted with,
and, if need be, advised by the parent.
To the administrative business Of the
SUPPLEMENTARY, have devoted about
one hour each day, before nine A. NJ, and
four, Pm. -
Having presented to you at the begin
ming Of the Fall Term our "Graded Course"
thoroughly revised and expanded aceor-
| ding to the increased requirements of the
| upper grade of our schools, which was
readily adopted by you at the time pre-
sented it. l now report the revised rules
| and regulations, which advise you to re-
fer to select committee, to report on
them at your next meeting. The revision
Of our Union School law, epjoined upon
me by your resolution of the 18th Of No
vember, am steadily working ct, and l
| hope to be able to report it q; your next
regular meeting.
The following table shows the atten-
dance upon the different schools for the
term ending Dec. ~, 1878:
UNION SCHOOL NO. l.
n rHFU