The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1876-08-10
Report Of the Supsrintendentoi Of Snyder
County, for the Year Ending Iune

], 1910
Tho condition Of our schools during
tho past year, was in some respects
superindcncy. But, owing to the re-
tarding influences named in my last
years report, the progress in some
districts was equal 10 that Of the
others. ai.ll Ff r
Houses. Every year new school.
houses tako the places of old ones that
have become unfit for use. During
the past year six were built; one in
West Perry, one In Perry, one in Mid
tllecreck, and ono Selinsgrove. Those
| In Middlecreek and in Selinsgrove are OF
brick the others frame. Selinsgrovc,
Washington, and Middlecreek furnish
oil theirs with neat and comfortable
patent desks the others, theirs with
the old style or double pine desks.
The house erected In West Perry il
an Improvement on tho other school
houses of that district. II Is of sufii-
ciont size, IL we'll lighted, has good
black board, and is pleasantly locat-
ed. ,...-
The largest Of tho new houses Is
that built in selinsgrove. II has two
stories. with two school-rooms and
two recitation rooms on each floor. Its
general plan Is that recommended by
DR.. Wickersham and other leading cd.
ucators rs tho cheapest to secure sys-
tenn and discipline, complete supervi--
sion, and effective teaching.
In the building of school.houses this
county has yet much to learn. One
respect in which knowledge upon the
subject Ii needed, is, that as these
buildings are erected for specific pur-
pose. they should in all particulars be
CONSTRUCTED with reference to it and
anothcr. incidental To the former, that
Experienced persons in tho profession
for whose use they are designed know
at least q little moro about tho inter
nal arrangements requisite to adapt
them properly to the purpose for which
thcy are intended. than persons in
other callings materially different from
that Of teaching.
Very few Of the houses built In the
county during the past three or four years.
reflect credit upon tho districts which had
them erected. Nearly oil Of them are too
small to afford aisles Of sufficient width
for the teachers to pass through while
their pupils are engaged iu writing.
Scarcely any have room for recital ion.
benches. Some have tho seats for chill.
dren from six to ten years Of age, higher
than chairs are ordinarily made for grown
persons. Others have the black. boards
at such height from the floor as to be
almost out Of reach Of the smaller pu-
pills. ,..
Surely those dscfets should not bo 70.
peated 10 tho future. aud as many Of them
as can be removed should receive atteu-
tiou at no distant day:
Schools. The number Of graded schools
heretofore reported was Increased at the
beginning Of last term by the addition Of
the three new schools Of Pre- eburg,
We now have sixteen graded and
ninety-ons ungrsded schools. OF the
ungraded ones six should yet be graded.
Penn should grade two. Union ono, Mid.
dleereek one, aud Beaver two
A elsewhere stated, the sob ools Of the
county, considered as . whole, were du.
ring the past year In much more sati O.
factory condition than during any pre-
vious year Of nay official connection with
them /; yet here and thcrc, some we're ..
gain very poor, and among them several
Of the graded ones.
Our graded schools. with . single ex.
ssption, ere such ouly 10 name auJ not In
fact. To yield the best fruits Of which
they are ospabls, their work must be sys.
Itematizsd (; they must havea resularl y
graded course Of stu,lies each grade must
have its kind, as wsll as amount, Of work
assigned and lastly, there must be prop.
er supervision. in order that each grade
may DO the work expected Of IL.
The supervision should bs entrusted to
. competent, experienced teacher. The
most suitable person for the position
would be tho teacher Of the highest grade
Of school. and In selecting him, ftnoss
for this duty should be had 10 view. He
should have the cooperation Of tho d.
rec'ors. and be held responsible for the
| successful working Of the schools.
The directors Of Selinsgrovs have been
fortunate in having the services Of Mr..
John q. Cope, . graduate Of the Mans
held Normal School, and . competent and
most faithful teacher, Their schools, bet.
tor now than ever before. have improved
from year 10 year. under his supervision,
notwithstandlng that his connection with
them hss occurred during three Of the
most uufsvorabls years In the history Of
the place.
In practical common sense methods Of
imparting instructions this county has
made most emo ooursgiug progress, and %
oonsequencs-rssson having taken the
place Of passion snd prejudies--ths rsla-
tions between teaohsrs and pupils have be,
csms friendly, manifestiug themselves In
mutual good will, and the infrequent use
Of The rod - either correction Of errors
OF IN iueitsmsnt To study less damage
has been done 70 the school property,
fewer marks and scratches have been
found upon the walls and furuiturs,
the rooms have been kept nsster and
cleaner, aad less indecent and unbseom.
ing language has bssn heard from The
pupils. !. I.ri.s 80 .f
Other and equally important benefits
resulting from Improved methods Of in-
struction, have been ny the rapid gaining
Of the younger pupils upon the oldsr ones
In knowledge Of various studies pursued,
and (2) the greatly increased number Of
those dssiring instruction In what were
formerly considered dry and unIntercsting
branches. Thus the number instructed 10
ell the branches, except reading, has
nesrlp doubled within the last two years
and Of the number receiving instructions
In grammar and Geography. there has
been an increase Of more than four hun.
drsd per cent, during the past four ysars.
The improved condition Of our schools q large
~ due 10 The progressive spirit Of our teAchsrs,
many who have isborsd With commsn able
seal. snd hence deserve favorable mention.
F.iiurs. In ts.ehipg haze resulted from ..
Want OF OF perionce: J, Lack Of parentai co-op-