Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-01-08

UNIFORM series OF text DOCKS. DOCKS
can be furnished to pupils by this
method at q saving to the purchaser
Of about one, third the usual cost and
there is nothing in the power of the
district that will tend in q greater
degree to secure good work on the
part of both teacher and pupil than
the adoption and use of carefully Sc
lected and uniform series of text
books.
There are II schools including FIVE
high schools, Of two or more depart
mepts a larger number than IN any
other county in the State. OF these
8 employ two teachers, &employ three,
2 employ four, employs Eve, en-
ploys six, and eight. The follow
ing persons are principals in these
schools: 8. r. Willoughby, Bosco.
bel; P. BARLEY, Bloomington D.
4. Gardner, Cassville; Clyde Sho.
walter, Fennimore s. A. Harper,
Hazel Green ; j. G.. Davies, Lancas
ter; w. B. Phillips, Montfort; J. F.
Burgess, Mt. Hope w. III. Knapp,
Muscalonge; Fl. r. Smith, Muscoda;
d. B. Jenckes, North Andover; Miss
Eliza Maggie, Patch Grove; w. E.
Carr, Potosi; Philip Eden and L. E.
Cooley, Platteville; Chas. Bonham,
Rockville; j. f. Smith, Washburn.
Of the High Schools those at Bosco-
bel, Hazel Green and Lancaster have
each graduated several classes since
their organization. The one at Mus.
coda organized three years ago, will
graduate its FIRST class next spring.
Although the institutes have been
reported before, an allusion to them
may not be out of place in this con-
nection.
Two of two weeks each were held
in August. The total attendance
was 1857 at Boscobel and SO at
Bloomington. The teachers with
very few exceptions, deserve much
credit for the interest manifested by
them and the manner in which they
performed the work assigned them.
The conductors are able, practical
men, who thoroughly understand the
wants OF our schools and who will
be heartily welcomed again by the
teachers who we're 80 fortunate as 10
come under their instruction.
Since the first of January rs pub
lilo examinations have been held. 796
persons have written at these ex.
aminations, Of " HON Is received first
grade, 20 received second grade and
307 received third grade certificates.
Eleven licenses good for six months
or less were granted last spring and
10 last fall. Last year the number
of applicants was 1856, of whom ii
received FIRST grade, So received sec.
ond grade and 357 received third
grade certificates The difference in
the number who received certificates
this year and last, is owing to the
fact that the standing required has
been raised from so to 90 for Q third
grade and from 65 to 70 for a second.
For a first grade the standing re-
mains unchanged, 80 per cent. be-
ing high enough if the questions are
properly selected. In addition to the
number OF teachers licensed in the
county this year there are several
who hold first grade certifics tes from
last year and quite q number who,
having graduated either in the full
or elementary course at Normal
School have had their diplomas coun-
tersigned by the State Superinten.
dent. This in accordance with an
act of the Legislature Of 1875, gives
them the full force and effect of
State certificates either limited or
unlimited as the case may be.
During the past school year have
made 1872 visits TO 181 different
schools. 1t is impossible to visit all
the schools in the county once in q
year and attend to other necessary
work. Fifty days are required to
conduct examinations, not including
time required to travel from place to
place. The written matter handed
in by applicants for certificates may
be safely estimated at 10000 pages
OF legal cap paper. This has to be
carefully examined, marked and the
results summed up and sent to the
person who wrote it. There are also
eight or nine different sets of ques.
tons to be wrought ont and arranged
for each series of examinations. This
item requires an amount of time and
labor that is very apt to be underes-
timated by one who has never tried
1t. Many other things, such as re.
ports and correspondence all requir.
ing time and attention, combine to
make the time allotted for visiting
schools very short. The subject Of
"School visitation" will not admit of
discussion in this connection but will
come up ct some future time. ! will
only add here that earnestly hope
parents aud members of school
boards will take more interest in this
duty in the future than in the past.
Nop 10 a good time to begin. There
has been much that is encouraging in
the work of the past year. Teachers
generally, have been more than usu.
ally energetic and faithful in the per.
torrance of their duties and many
are earnestly endesvoring to better
prepare themselves for the work in
the future. Increased interest has
been manifested by parents and
school officers, new and commodious
school houses have been built, and
old ones repaired, furniture and sp.
parstus purchased and very many
things done that promise we'll for the
future success OF our schools. / wish
in-conclusion, to express my graft.
tude for the kind and generous hos
pitality that has been extended to
me on every hand by the people of
this county while l have been en-
gagged in visiting the schools, and on.
ly regret that the time for this, the
most agreeable part of my work, is 80
limited. l also feel honored by the
confidence that has for Q second time
been plsced in me and which shall
willingly put forth every effort to
merit. Respectfully,
CHARLES HARPER.
.-
The sharp moment must como
some time to n mOther When ehe