Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-12-12
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Tho County Superintendent Visits Country
Schools,

EDITOR HERALD:-SiEce my last
letter 10 you have visited num
Der of schools. 1 find them in fair
condition, though not so largely al :
tended as they were earlier in the
season. I find everywhere all ap-
parent lack of interest on the part
of parents. 1 say an oppar Ont lack
of interest, for l cannot think it 10
real. They seldom visit the schools,
and when they do visit them 1t is
In a way that does little good. They
shonld drop in quietly on any
day Of the week, listen to the exer-
cises short time and as quietly
take their leave. To do this verv
little time would be necessary, and
in short time the exercises would
not be interfered with as they are
when visitors are rare and when
they come several together.
1 recently visited the Compton
school. 1t is taught by three teach
ers; Mr.. Patten, Principal, and Mr..
Burgess and Mrs. Twombly, assist.
ants. The Principal is a graduate
of an eastern Normal school, and
his assistants are both experienced
teachers. They are well provided
with good school rooms. good furni
ture and u large number of intelli-
gent children. spent a day with
them, aud it is pleasure to COM
mend both teachers and pupils.
The Ell Monte school is taught by
Mr.. Seward aud Miss Mayes. The
former has been teaching in this
county five years, having taught
previously in the central part of the
State. He holds an educational
diploma valid for six years, and Is
an industrious, painstakiug teach
er. His assistant is young in yeals
and in the business of Teaching,
this being her first effort. She Is
teaching the children of parents
who have known her from child.
hood, which fact is evidence that
she has the confidence of those who
know her best. Their scholars al .
pear to be above the average ii ma
tural ability. found large colIec.
tion OF good books in their school
library, among them the American
Encyclol % iia. Both teachers and
scholars deserve "a better house than
{ Iey have.
The school law requires teachers
'to be present at their respective
school-rooms, and to open them for
the admission of pupils at least If
teen minutes before the time pre-.
scribed for .ncing school.n
notwithstanding this, one morning
early drove five miles to school.
house. arriving few minutes after
8 A. NJ, the time for opening
school. I remained long enough to
Inspect the premises, took my de-
parture, and met the teacher ut the
distance of half a mile.
On entering schoOl-room re-
Gently, and being seated, | was
asked what lessons l would like to
hear the scholars recite. 1 assured
the teacher that I wished him to
proceed in the usual way, making
no change because of my presence.
He began 10y asking his class
oHow many days makes IA month";"
"How many years makes a ecu.
turyW Presently a scholar an
swered QUESTION that had been
passed to the next, and was told by
the teacher, THAT don't do no
good now.n I thought If that was
his usual way, it was pity that
he did not change 1t so as to be
more correct ia his language.
A few schools have closed for va
cation, Some simply close for the
holidays, while otherr have vaca.
ton from one to two months at
this season of the year. Yours,
w. p. MCDONALD,
Co. School Supt.
Downey, Dec. IL, 1878.