Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-09-23
MEssRs. EDITORS,


Some weeks ago Oul
attention was called to an advertisement
in your paper of the "Woodstock Graded
School," which struck US as being rather
claiming" tor so small town. 1t no wev.
er excited our curiosity, and being on a
visit to your town, we determined to be
present at the opening exercises. Accor.
dinghy, on Wednesday, Sept, 10Th, we went
up to the school house. We were met at
the door by the 1st Assistant, who, IN his
usual pleasant, affable manner INTRODUCED
us to the Principal, who is very pleasant
courteous gentleman. From the CONVEX
sation which we had with him, and the
recommendations with which he came
into your town, we are satisfied that he is
fully competent to do all your advertis e.
ment claimed.
We were struck when we first entered at
the amount Of intelligence which was ex-
hibited in the faces of the pupils, every
thing looked clean and mccall looked as II
they were wide awake to their work, yet
we were struck with the fast that tl,Gr e
was no unnecessary excitement. All of
the teachers went about the work OF graz
ding very judisiouSiy, every one being
perfectly cool; work was dispatched wit b
far greater rapidity than We had expected,
and yet the work was thoroughly done, and
every scholar went away knowing his o.
her place.
1t is too often the case In towns Of this
size that young men and young ladies'
when they arrive at that period In lite
when they can claim that title, leave off
attending school, but we were, struck with
the fact that there was o large number Of
young met and young ladies present on
that day as pupils. We learned that sew
eral young men of the town who had de-
cided to 60 to college this session changed
their minds after the services of the pres
e.1t principal were obtained, and We are
very much inclined to think that they will
not regret their decision.
There Iwere present on that day some
, ,inety-six scholars. and at the time of this
e riting We understand there are one hum
ereL and thirty-eight. While the lower de-
-. RI, uenfs of the school are well filed yet
the III cher departments are not wanting
in MN, >ers. We were surprisedtwhen the
nr,rc,.,., Informed us that there were eight
studv;no Ct vman. six Latin, thirteen Rhet-
oric, eighteen higher matAemstics' three
craak and four Astronomy.
We were also kl.>d to find SO many pres
ent from other districts. 1t is certalnly "a
good section of the SCHOOL law which al
lows all students without regard. to dis
t-;cts to so into Graded schools without
extra charge.
Its seldom that I'VE find school IN
towE OF this Size with better prospect
We understand that the Town
has voted an appropriation OF $4oO"' 70
build new school house. The school Ger
tailly deserves much better building and
we hope soon.to see ,seW one put up ior
their USE Its future as an institution Of
learning is too bright to need criticism
from us and we feel sure that the people
of .hel town cannot but appreciate II,
though we are sorry to say that there was
not single parent of any of the children
present at the opening Of the school. The
interest which has been manifested by the
Board OF Trustees Mnd the teachers has
been very great, but the parents should
remember chat they too have a part in
the matter,and should not leave it all to the
teachers and trustees as one. of the .trus-
tees remarked as he left the school house.
''There is one thing wanting. sthat is the
presence Of Some Of the patrons of the
school" We hope to see the people of the
town take the interest In thisschool which
Iheyshould. "She is worthy Of the town,
let the town be worthy Of her."
Respectfully,
A. VISITOR,