The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-11-09
DISTRICT SCHOOLS, AND TOWN
HIGH SCHOOLS.

During the session of the Institute, Prof.
Salisbury made out a programme OF study
and recitation, and upon footing up the
columns, ii was found thas he had devoted
$50 minutes-the length of a school day--to
third grade studies. Now said he with
that peculiar twinkle Of his eye, the rest Of
the time may be given 10 the second grade
branches
This was surprise to many Of our teach
ers who are anxious to cro,oG algebra. physi-
ology. aid physical geography into our dis
trict schools. But the Prot was right. The
district schools were not, and are not Intend
ed as places TO fit pupil for college, but
places wherein to lay The foundation OF an
education which is to be finished in college if
the pupil go SO far, the intermediate place
being high school; in short they are primary
schools. When ] say primary, I mean such
schools s Edward Everett had in mind when
he said.
They give the keys Of knowledge to the
mass of people. L think it may be truthful
v said, that the braDches Of knowledge
taught in orr common schools, when taught
in finished orderly Misunderstanding
which include the spelling of our language
firm. slightly, leg bic handwriting, and the
elemental rules of arithmetic Of great
er value than all the rest which is taught at
school The young person who brings these
from school, can himself, in his winter even
ings, range over the whole field Of useful
knowledge. Our common schools are i'm
portant in nc same way as the common air,
the common sunshine, The common rain,--
lnvaluab tor their COMMENCES.
They arc The Cornerstone Of that munich
p j organ Eat on which is lie characterize e
feature Of our social syst, III; t-ey ale the
foundation If INIT VICE spread intel igence
which, like moral life, purvadcs the country.
From The hum5lest school there may go
forth u teacher who, Ike Newton, shall bind
lis temples with the stars Of Oron's belt,
with herschoi light his cell with The beams
Of before undiscovered glanets-wth Frank
lin grasp the lightning
Why should second grade branches not be
target in school?
in tire school wish to study them, and it is
unfair to devote as much time as is neces-
sars fer those studies to that number CT pu
pi.s. III other words tley are not common
studies, and herce should have no place in
our district schools.
"But how are pupils to obtain 8 kuowI-
edge Of those branches? We can't or don't
wish 10 send them to school away from
BONE; then What will wedo?''
Adopt the "rownshio" system of schools,
est8 blish in each town one or more high
schools. and the thing is done.
This leaves the district schools in the
hands Ct primary teachers; more especially,
in the lands offemale teachers, who, in fact
are the true primary teachers, the best
moulders of character, the ones prominent
~ f.ttd 10 receive child hat cr!tcal mora
ing-his first at school-from the cberisbing
hand of a parent, and, with the assistance Of
the parent, care for The child until it's char
acter lie firmly tablished
After having finished the course in tie
district schools, the pupil passes 10 be high
school, and in this manner receives good
education az home. Comparatively little
Township" plan OF schools can, and Will
yet be adopted in this state because 1t is
easier, better, apd checper than ibe one now
IN vogue D.