Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-08-16
ANNUAL REPORT OFJOHN A
GREGORY, COUNTY SUPT.

.'l.s..1r
ANNUAL REPORT OF JOHN A.
GREGORY, COUNTY SUPT
In submitting the following Annual
Report Of the condition and improve
ment of tho schools In our county, it
affords mo pleasure to DO able to say
that Notwithstanding the prevailing
stringency in financial affairs, that OPP
Grated greatly against the advance
ment of our work, our schools have
made substantial and encouraging pro-
gress during the year. Our teachers
were better qualified; labored more
earnestly, and rendered better salts
faction than during the previous year.
A greater number Of local institutes
and educational meetings were held.
These with the County Institute and
County Normal School were more
largely attended and by the teachers
beng better qualified were made moro
successful.
SCHOOLS.
Houses Bmh.-Seven houses were
built during the year. One in Brady,
one in Decatur, one in Goshen, one in
Pike, one in Union, one in Union In.
dependent and one in Woodward. :
These are all good, substantial build
ings each one, however, lacking com
pleteness in various ways before il
could be called first-class building fol
the present day. Two of the rooms are
plastered' but the plastering is neither
painted nor whitewashcd. The others
are lined, but the lining is not painted
hence the walls present gloomy in.
stead of bright and cheerful appear
ance. Six of the houses are furnished
with substantial and comfortable desks
Four have neat porticos in front. The
one in Goshen has convenient rooms
for baskets and clothing, All are well
ventilated. The blackboards in four
of the houses are too high and have
poor surfaces. No apparatus has been
supplied for the new buildings.
Graded Schools. The schools of Lum.
Der City were graded during the year,
Houses are now under contract for
graded schools at Rumbarger and
Jaynesville. These promise to be large
buildings and are much needed.
ARparatus.--very little apparatus
was procured during the year. Three
houses were furnished with maps by
directors and ten with maps and mot.
toes by teachers.
Librdries.--The directors Of Cur.
wensville borough purchased eighty
dollars worth Of books for their school
library. sF 9
Management. The school houses,
with but few exceptions, were scrub
bed once each month and were found
in very tidy condition when visited
them. The schools in all the districts
were kept open the entire five months
the time required by law-and in
three districts eight months. All the
branches required by law were taught
in all the schools and some of the higher
branches in 2l. Pupils from all parts
of the county, who desire to pay special
attention to the higher branches have
the privilege of attending the Leonard
Graded School at Clearfeld. Most Of
the teachers held monthly examina.
tions, sending report OF the standing
of the pupils to their parents, and q
rigid examination at the close of their
term. Daily reviews were conducted
by all the teachers and | am glad to
say greater degree of thoroughness
was found among the pupils than dur
ing the previous year.
INSTITUTES.
COunty.-Thc County Institute was
held in Pics Opera House, in the Bor-
ough Of Clearfeld, commencing on
December 9th, and continuing for five
days. l31 teachers and AZ directors
were present. The exercises consisted
in developing what we considered the
best methods Of teaching the different
studies pursued in the schools of the
county; in answering list of ques.
tions on school economy, previously
prepared for the Institute in debating
questions on the necessities Of our
county's work in the reading of essays
and delivering addresses by the teach
es on general subjects and in even
ing addresses by gentlemen from our
own county and from distance. The
citizens and directors of the county
showed their interest in the advance.
ment of the school by greatly aiding
us in our work. Ex-Sheritf Pie charged
us no rent for the Opera House re.
quiring us only to pay for the light
and fuel, and that at reduced rates.
The citizens OF Clcarfeld town fur
asaLtaccommodations for the
teachers at low rates, and the directors
Of many districts made special arrange
ments for their teachers getting to the
Institute. Specially prepared lectures
were delivered by Deputy State Super
intendent Curry, and Prof II. Collier;
also by Rev. H. s. Butler, Rev. J. B.
Young, VIM. NJ. Mccullough, Esq, and
T. II. Murray, Esq, from our own
county. The evening lectures were all
very able ones, composed with choice
language, were well delivered and par
ticularly appropriate for the occasion.
Locdi.-Local Institutes we're held
for each part Of the county, several
townships being united in ono Local
Institute District. These were well
attended BY TEACHERS, directors and
citischs, and resulted IN great good.