The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-08-21

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Annual Report of Public Schools Of
Carbon County, fOr year ending
June L, 1850.
The schools of the county may be justly
divided into two classes. The first class will
embIace all the schools in towns and thick
ly settled districts where they are, or should
be graded, and the second class all those in
sparsely settled districts where they cannot
be graded.
In the schools of the first class tie average
per centage of attendance and the progress
made by the pupils were very comrnend-
able; much moro SO than in those OF the
second class, Several reasons may be as.
signed for this, chief among which are long
school terms, liberal salaries paid to teach
ers, good houses and furniture, and conse-
quently higher grade OF teachers these,
together with the advantages of graded
schools, have produced the above desirable
results. In many schools of the second class
the attendance was very irregular, and con-
sequently the progress made was not so sat-
islactory. Many of these schools were in
the hends Of young and inexperienced teach
ers, such as the low salaries paid and the
short terms would enable directors to secure.
Many Of them labored faithfully, and will
make successful teachers if they receive sul
ficient encouragement to retain them in the
profession. would here urge upon direc-
tors in these districts to pay such salaries as
enable them to retain those teachers who
prove themselves to be successful and
worthy. In these miscellaneous or un-
graded schools (some of which are not even
well classifed) it requires more skill to gov
ern, and the work requires wider range Of
thought and consequently makes it more
laborious for the teachers in these than in
the graded schools, while the salaries, with
but very few exceptions, are much lower.
In nearly all the districts Of the first class,
semi-month!y institutes Or teachers meet
| ings were held, in which educational sub
jects were discussed as well as methods
Of instruction and school discipline. These
meetings, wherever they are properly con-
ducted prove highly beneficial to teachers
and gocl results are seen in the schools. Oh
the second class, Kidder is the only district
in which district institates were regularly
held. This indicates live board of direc-
tors as well as teachers-the result of which
is good schools. - sone districts literary
societies were orgarized by the teachers, loi
the mutual improvement of teachers, pupils
and others, who wished t6 participate in the
work. which consisted ir .eadng essays, Sc.
lect readings, and .discussio@, of general top
les. In some of these meetiiig IS much inter
est is manifested and great good accomplish
ed. These meetings should he etcoiragcd
The County institute was held ct Mauct
Chunk in the latter part 81 November.
was well attended by teachers aud Others
who seemed to be interested in educationa
work. Teachers were wakencd upand encour
. aged, so that many of them went back t.
their school work with new determination
to do better il possible than they had eve
, done before.
Houses-6nly one new house was bull
4 durirg the past year, that is in Frankl
district. 1t is a good substantial fran
building, supplied with good furniture an
! ample blackboard surface. Franklin need
another new house at Walcksvlle.
i The following districts need new housc
Mahoning, one; East Penn, two; Packe
u two; Penn Forest, two; Banks, one; an
Lower Towamensing two. The last tw
mentioned should be large enough and al
d ranged to accommodate two schools each
But little improvements were made O
d school grounds since my last report, Th
is matter that should receive the attentio
c of directors. With very small expend
: ture many Of the school grounds could |
greatly improved and made attract,
n to children. When new houses are to
built, suitable sites should be selected; IL
a convenience and co.Hloptr of tt chiidre
y should always be tie chief oon5iderati5i
l. aud not, as is too often the case, the plut
o selected that can be hal for the least amour
'i of money. A very large portion Of OF
ot school grounds are too small. A school Il
!. should not contain less than half an acre
$ groundi aud in the country, wheye grour
n is cheap, whole acre would be still bette
n When farmer wishes to build a hou
d he looks around over his farm to find Il
g most eligible site to build upon. Healt
beauty Of scenery, and convenience are a
OF considered. When satisfied as to the ada
l. liability Of the place, he coasults his lamil
'r and finally, after all are satisfied, he cal
is upon his neighbors, so that the judgme
Ir and expcIIence Of all may be brought in
NJ requisition before the work is commence
I'd lest after all, the best site might not be o
tained. This shows the good sense in Il
s. farmers, and we give them credit for
~ Would it not be well for school directors
IS, follow their example and exercise son
~ judgment and discretion 10 the selection
aao school grounds and in the erection of hous
where so large portion of the youthful da
d, Of our children Is spent. Why not gi
ed them comfortable and pleasant houses, wi
attractive surroundings, such as will crea
nd in them taste for the beautiful and ma
them cheerful and happy. D..
lei There was a surplus Of teachers exanire
, but the best ones were not in every case
~ lected. The selection and employment
,s teachers are very important duties deyol
ing upon directors, and should be discho
H. ed without fear or favor, and reasoual
compensation should be offered as an i
au ducement TO teachers. In some districts I
=, salaries are entirely zoo low. am 81
that this is not the case with all. Many
nd our directors are among the most lntell &c
and liberal minded men in the country "a
nd are disposed to deal fairly with teachers.
But very few Of the schools are visit
'e' regularly by directors or parents. 7
=, should not be so. Occasional visits from
rectorl and pareuts would encourage ch
Try dron in their school work and make teach
more watehlul and earnest in the dischai