Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-03-24

y
clerks Quite large number of our
children are growing up almost entirely
destitute of school instruction. and they
are not confined to our foreign popula-
ton. Then, again, few parents are
aware how great loss their children !
sustain by absenting themselves now
and then day. 1t is only one day,
they say; only one recitation, perhaps it
may be. Very true; but what may this
one rescitation involve? 1t may involve
principle upon which every rule and
process to be taken up by the class for
the ensuing three or four weeks depends.
The result is, the class must be kept
back till the absenting pupil makes up
for the lost recitation, or the delinquent
must suffer loss that may never be
made up. 1t is not putting the case too
strong, to say that his success in life
may hinge upon that single recitation.
Our school buildings and appurtenan-
ces are objects Of sad neglect. The con-
dition of these and their surroundings
is frequently such as to produce an un-
chaste effect upon the minds of our sons
and daughters. Internally the employ
ment of the jackknife has rendered the
desks and benches rough and unsightly;
externally the walls are married with OBJ
scene representations. The prudential
committee and teachers should acquaint
themselves with the condition of the
buildings and furniture at the commence
ment of each term, that any injury to
the property may be readily recognized.
The pupils should be plainly but kindly
instructed in relation to the Importance
of keeping their school home neat and
attractive. 1t is disgrace to US that
many of our late built school houses are
more appropriate tenements for swine,
than abodes for our children whose man.
ners, tastes and characters are daily
shaping and crystalizing under the in
fuences of their surroundings.
would earnestly recommend that our
teachers be given one day each term by
the district, for the exclusive purpose of
visiting some of the best taught schools
in town, the superintendent designating
the school to be visited. This method
has been practiced in Burlington and in
other large places where much attention
is given to the improvement of public
schools | trust the time will come,
when the intelligence and enterprise
of this respectable town will furnish its
youth with system of graded schools.
In the absence Of any such town system,
l would suggest the following plan to
the citizens of the three districts having
their schools houses within the limits of
this village: Dist's. No. 4, and Is.
Let there be a primary school main
tanned in each of these three districts,
in which the pupils shall receive thor
ough instruction in the common school
branches up to certain point, to be
prescribed by committee appointed for
the purpose. When, upon examination,
any pupil in these schools shall be able
to pass the requisite examination, let
him be sent to the academy one term
in the year, the district paying the tut
ton, but for common school branches
only. The result of such system,
would be to take from three to six of
the most advanced scholars from each of
these district schools in the winter term
and place them in school where the
size of the classes, the longer time de-
voted to class drill, and the competition
usually awakened among those of similar
attachments, would arouse an ambition
to succeed, which would give US more
we'll educated persons and more success
full men and women in the enterprises
of life. 1t would also lessen the num-
Der of recitations in the district schools,
thereby giving the smaller pupils re-
naming in that department greatly in
creased advantages. The additional ex-
pense to the district would be small
The cost for buttons at the academy
would be from fifteen to twenty-five dol.
lars. In offset to this, teachers for the
winter term could be obtained at less
wages also the summer term might b.
reduced to eight weeks, cutting off the
last four weeks which are usually of lit
tie value in consequence of SO many
pupils leaving school to pick berries
This would make the net additional ex
pense mere triflle and by it we should
secure an excellent graded school system
In several instances during the pas
year, children have attended school thu
entire term, wholly or partially unsup
piled with text books. | would recon
mend that all such cases be met by tn,
statute providing for furnishing tex
books to children not supplied by thei
parents or guardians. But would ad
wise that such books as are furnished a
the expense of the town. be lent to TIL
pupils for limited period Of time, ant
at the end of each term they be returned
to the town. Allow me to urge upol
e your attention the Importance of provid
. ing Your children with a good dictionary