Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-03-04
HOW TO SECURE A GOOD COUNTRY
SCHOOL HOUSE.


schools" I"
There is more at stake in a little
country school than some of US are
aware Of The surroundings Of child
exerta wonderful influence for good or
i'll. 1t is good economy to see that the
school-house and its surroundings are
convenient and pleasant. For beauti-
flying the ground employ a landscape
gardener or the man or men of your
own neighborhood. who have displayed
the best taste in identifying their own
homes. Before constructing a school,
do not be afraid to pay small fee for
plans to be examined. Then, on these
plans get the advice of committed of
teachers. Every man is not a land
scape gardener or an architect, any
more than he is blacksmith or a
doctor By employing the best men
for each place or business, time and
money are saved and everything goes
off better. There are numerous ap-
proved patterns of stoves and furnaces
which are made for bringing into the
room, in partially heated condition,
an abundance Of fresh air, and for ex-
pelling the impure air. To do this
may take a trifie more fuel but it will
prevent cold draughts, drowsiness,
pale faces, and poor health. Good
health is priceless treasure, often too
little priced till it is taken from us. To
regain it we are willing to spend for
tunes; to preserve it in our children
we should take all reasonable pre-
cautions.
A school-room, even the poorest,
need not be destitute of ornaments. A
little effort on the part Of teacher or
of the school board, will secure some
pictures, brackets and vases for flowers.
Once in while some evergreens may
be tastily arranged and suitable mot
toes placed about the room.
And now, after making all needful
preparations in the house and its sur
roundings, do not neglect the most inn
portant part of placing a first-class
teacher in charge. The people may be
poor, the number of children small,
the times hard, and the most rigid
economy seem necessary; but here is
one of the last places wherein to cut
off expenses. The enterprising farmer
does not try to hire poor, cheap hands
to do his work, because produce is
cheap or because he is in debt He
knows the best are the cheapest at any
reasonable price. He hires men to
drive his team, to feed his animals,
milk his cows, plant, cultivate, and
harvest his crops. He does not expect
that even his best men will perform
these duties with profit to himself
without some of his personal over
sight. To perform this wolk, he often
pays man more wages than is paid
the teacher of the summer district
school. He is willing to leave this
cheap teacher with entire control of
his children all summer for the best
hours of the day, but he would not
think of trusting the entire care of his
swine to the best man he could hire.
He could not afford it. He would lose
money. Swine may live a year or two
and that is the last of them. The
children will probably live forty to
sixty years, and mold the character of
those who follow them, and, to some
extent, of all those with whom they
associate. There is no reason in thus
discriminating between the care of our
domestic animals and of our children.
Is it not a wonder that the district
schools are as good as they are, con-
Sidering their management?
Every farmer does not know how to
superintend school. But few of them
know how, and they are aware Of it,
hence they do not visit the schools or
attempt to interfere with their man
agement. In some States the people
employ skilled or professional persons
to superintend their schools, but in
many places there is almost no super
vision. The school runs itself, if the
teacher and scholars can get along to-
gether. Every man ought to be expert
~at his own business, and has no reason
to expect he can do everything and do
it WELL
To all I say, employ only good
teachers. How can this be done?
Certainly not without taking some
pains to find out that they are good.
The candidates should be thoroughly
examined in various studies, by COM
petent persons. who make this their en-
tire business, or an important part of
their business. This is not all. Good
testimonials must be produced, vouch-
ing for moral character, correct habits,
etc. If the person has ever taught
school before, great care should be
taken to learn that he has liked the
business, kept good order, and sue
ceeded i'll interesting his pupils. With
thorough examinations and a searching
inquiry of reliable persons as to char
acter and former success, competent
teachers can be selected
There is no objection to hiring such
persons at the lowest possible rates
that will employ them, but hire them
at any price, and do not take up, even
for one term, with a person who does
not bear the severest test. In hiring
for low wages, this must be taken into
consideration: the teacher will not be
contented with his place or business.
He may think it important to give
part Of his time to something else, to
exc out his small salary. IF he is pos
sessed of good calibre, he will soon en-
gage in some other business, where his
energy will bring larger returns. This
l.