St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-03-09
No. Is. Helen C. Kinney, Jennie C.
Wilkinson.
No. IL. Lizzie Coleman, Mary E.
Toupee

No. Is. Helen C. Kinney, Jennie c.
Wilkinson.
No. IL. Lizzie Coleman, Mary E.
Lougee.
GRADUATION DESIRABLE.
am pleased to note the eminent sue
cess of the graded school in Dist. No. 1.
The system is carried out very perfect
ly. The well trained and thoroughly
drilled pupils of this school well repay
the expense incurred. The six depart |
ments-the sub-primary, primary, in
termediate, mixed, sub-grammar and
the grammar-carry the pupils from the |
merest elements through the branches
required to be taught in the common
schools of the state, and leave them
well fitted to pursue higher studies else
where. The pupils are passed from
lower grade to higher by close exam
nation. And this leads me to recon-
mend that a similar course be pursued
in every district where it is at all prac-
ticable. Dists. No. 5, 13, Is ought to
be graded more thoroughly. While
they might not be able to sustain a
ssgraded school," as defined by the
Public Acts of the last Legislature (NO.
44,) still they might be nearer so than
now. The division in the schools in
these districts seems to be now made
according to the size and age of the
pupils and not according to attainments.
| include district No. l3 in these re-
marks not because the school is now
divided into two departments but be-
cause it ought to be, especially in the
winter term.
NEW SCHOOL HOUSE.
The school house in district No. 5
was burned in the great conflagration
which visited the Centre village last
summer. Its place is now filed by
very neat and cOmmOdious house. Its
beauty and superior appointments
within may almost reconcile the dis
trict to the loss of the old one. There
is nothing now in the way of most ex-
cellent schools in this district, provided
the united moral support of the people
is given in favor of such schools.
MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOL.
More weeks of school could be profit
ably kept, think, in districts No. 9, 10,
IL, IL, l3, the first four of which have
but "a weeks schooling in a year, and
the last named but %. These districts
ought to support at least 80 weeks, and
some of them more.
NEATNEss AND REPAIRS.
More attention should be given in
!, some of the districts to neatness in and
about the school buildings. A neat
school room, in good repair, adds great
ly to the comfort of the pupils and
helps the teacher to have a refining and
elevating influence upon them. A poor,
old, dingy school room will counterfeit
the best directed efforts of a teacher
towards refinement. Put the school
house in good repair and enforce the
} law against its injury if need be. (See
compiled School Laws of Vermont 1875,
page S6.)
CONTINUING SAME TEACHER.
The schools in district No. Is made
fine progress during the year, and l
think it due in part, at least, to the fact
that good teachers were secured and re-
tanned through the gear. A change of
teachers without cause is very unde-
sirable. When talent, tact and at
tainments are found in teacher, simple
caprice, or few dollars in money,
should not be allowed to remove him.
WELL QUALIFIED TEACHERS.
Too great attention to the selection
of teachers well qualified mentally and
morally can not be given. There is too
much at stake to hazard the well-being
of children by placing them under the
care of poor teachers for one day. And
with the advantages now offered at the
normal schools, no teacher need he I'M
qualified for his position, and no teach
er's services should be sought or ac-
cepted who has not made an honest
effort to become qualified.
FREE SCHOLARSHIP.
A free scholarship at any of the nor
NAL schools is now by law (see Public
Acts 1876 PIP. Il8, 1I9) placed at the
disposal of the superintendent of each
town in the state, and he has also the
;, privilege of recommendation to secure
limited number of such favors which
are at the disposal of other parties
Thus teachers DESTROYS of being well
qualified and districts DESTROYS of well
fitted teachers, can be accommodated so
far as facilities for normal school in
structions are concerned.
TEACHERS SALARY.
While the average pay for teaching in
tnls tOWn is Soou comparatively, tnere
to the other towns of the county, there
are some districts which do not offer
sufficient inducement by way of COM
pensation to attract really valuable
teachers. Good salary should be offer
ed and valuable services exacted. The
simple fact that there are those easily
found who will teach for almost nothing,
does not argue their good qualifications,
or that it will be the most economical
in the end to employ them. Valuable
service will always command its price
in market.
respectfully submit these thoughts
to the consideration of those interested,
hoping that the citizens of this town
, will guard well the common school,
which is one of the strong defences OF
the nation. ID. E. MILLER, Sup't.