The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-02-24
Elk County Schools.

INh pitiiCSS tOuClt, uuo SSbttu Uile eye
lids,of,the departed. "School is out,
ing schoOl-master, and they are
applicable words here. School is in
deed out, but the dead past shall not
yet bury its dead. Spine' ,of its re
must be revoked from
shades, and by the tart
preserved. Many of
these school experiences ARE pleaasnt
to recall, while others are unwelcome
guests, and present themselves unbid-
den. Sunshine and shadow closely
follow each other, and strangely
A prominent mistake was made in
many rural districts by opening the
schools in June for summer session
to continue through the hot months.
The attendance was very meager, and
little interest was manifested. Sum-
mer schools, In most places, are fail-
ure, and should be discouraged. An
other mistake, was the employment of
several young and inexperienced teach
ers, holding a certificate of low grade.
when teachers of age, known skill,
and professional traiuing, were within
reach. The idea seems to be prevail
ent in some districts, that low grade
certificate means as much as II high
grade, and that u license to teach
means u competency to teach any
school. Directors should lock care
fully at certificates, and know that a
provisional No. only represents
fair knowledge of the common
under the law. If a
knowledge is required to
teach school, then lct'a person hold
ing professional certificate be en-
ploycd. Still another mistake, and
very serious one, was the general lack
of writing books and other writing
among the children. The
matter is now receiving special atten-
ton, and this evil will be reme-
died.
The question has been asked, WHY
are some of the schools no further ad-
vanccd? TO this there is an answer,
and sufficient. The
children are taken from the school
while very young, and before they
can api reciate the vahle.of an cduca,
ton. When will parents fully realize
the great duty they owe their children
in that they should give them broad
and liberal educatial?' Who questions
that II proper education is the basis ol
all prosperity, whether individual or
natiOna? \ little learning may be
a dangerous thing. but this is the only
amount some people are willing to
rive their children.
Suidrics Of teachers are quite good.
efforts were made by few
directors to lower the wages OF the
teaching force, hut with no effect The
fact is. the people are by far too wis.,,
to bid for halEpaid, half-starved
teachers. A fair compensation is es-
sential to the employment OF talent,
and all salaries should be commtnSir-
ate with the usefulness of the en-
ployed and the responsibility of the
position. Who is more useful than Il
faithful teacher, or whose position j.
more responsible: Selt-sacriice is
good thing, but not very nourising.
Beef steak means more than water
Cruel, even with n teacher. The di-
rectors OF Elk believe this,r and vote
teachers good wages. There are only
about six counties in the. State that
pay larger salaries to teachers, on the
average, than this county.
SchDOt terms are amOng the longest
in the State, and are increasing in
this respect. 49,
on tie increase. Jones built three
building two more. Horton and
Ridgwav each built one, and Ridgway
is now building two more. The Ridg
way school has "a new department,
making five in all. Milestone is al-o
erecting II school house. Renovation
and refurni>hing are going on ever
~ hnrn Nanny ara In.rrntipr
SchoOl-grounds, and flower beds arc
SchOOt-rOOm decoration is pushed to
an extent heretofore unknown. Pie
lures. plants. flags. and vases are ar
ranged in tasteful ornamentation.
Htch-6OtudS have received special
attention. Mnpswe intro
laced into nearly every school-room
I hartS AMI globes We're also pur-
chased. The Ridgway schools have
raised moneyito bay philosophical and
chemical apparatus, and the Centre
willie schools procured the money, and
purchased beautiful pictures and
library of standard worksof reference
Dictionaries were placed by the di
rcctorS in many schools. " 49,
The school Books are quite uniform
and would remhin so, if Iteachers and
book agents would let them alone
The schools we've visited quite often
by directors and patr-ns, ana teachers
often visited the schools OF one att
other. Recalling circles. professional
and literary. were kept up Ivy teachers
Local institutes and educational meet
ings were held in several localities
and with most salutary results. Eage,
and large audiences attended the ses
Sions. The county institute was II. ld
in Ridgway during the week includ-
ing the new year holiday. The at
tendance was very large and most
Sulutary work was, done. Professors
\. n. Raub, Look Haven, Pennsyi-
vania. and H. 81 Jones, Erie Pa :,
were the chief instructors. Col. J. p.
sanford and Reverend J. B. Young
were the evening lecturers. Local
talent was prominently brought out.
| male two hundred visits to schools
of about two hours each, and distr-
buted thousands of educational tracts
and circulars. .Sri
SUGGESTIONS,
l That the scho0l law he changed
80 that each schGot board shall he com
posed of five members. There are 50
many deadlocks'' and tie votes that
some change is necessary by which
this may be avoided.
2. That the school law be changed
so that none but professionally trained
teachers shall be employed.
In conclusion, / desire to express
my thanks to all who have aided me
in my feeble efforts to promote the
cause of education.