The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-07-26

While the progress in educational ,rorl
in the county during the pas, year has moi
been as rapid a might he desired. ye; VI,
have every assurance that it has been Il year,
work in advance Of the past. Being fayer
ell with a mild winter the attendance ha.
been good in our mountain country. Th.
general revival i'll business. too. has had |
beniiicent effect upon school work. Schoo
boards have been able to manage the finan
cial affairs with little trouble. The patron,
also manifested greater interest, and ar,
we'll satisfied, and the teacher went 10 worI
with renewed energy and determination {,
do more and better work. All in all TIA,
past years work has been one in which W,
may justly take pride.
Nine new school houses were built durins
the year, viz: Allegheny. Confluence. Elk
lick, Jefferson. Milford, Somerset and Sum
init each one and Northampton two. Al
are good frame buildings, we'll planned anc
neatly and substantially constructed. III
Elklick, Jefferson and Somerset patent seat:
and desks were placed in the new ho1ses
adding very much TO the comfort and con
venience of the pupils, and also greatly
Identifying the room. It is hoped and urg
ed that whenever practicable improved fur
niture be placed in school houses. Max,
the school room cheerful, comfortable and
attractive, and the money thus expended
will be amply rewarded. The new house al
Confluence is two story building, with
three good rooms. The advanced grade oc
cupying the upper floor, has large room
well lighted, and contains an abundance o
black-boa surface. This building give,
Confluence what il has long needed. good
school facilities.
Too little attention is given to selecting
suitable grounds when new buildings are
erected. As real estate advances 1t will be.
come more difficult 10 secure land. The
time will soon come when it will be neces.
proper playground. and money expended in
beautifying school houses and their sur.
roundings will not long be barren of good
results. We believe that both mind and
heart are affected and greatly modified by
external objects. Children will imbibe pure
and refined thoughts from their surround
ings. as well as from their teacher, and hence
the greatest efforts should be made to render
such surroundings the most endearing
Two hundred and forty teachers were en-
ployed during the past school term, and with
few exceptions have done good work Many
entered upon the work earnestly, seeming
to fully realize the responsible trust commit
ted To their care, and wherever ! found the
teacher deeply interested there found the
scholars well employed.
Our county being somewhat distant from
State normal schools, very few of the teach
ers receive the much needed special train
ing before entering upon their responsible
duties. This need IS partially supplied by
local normal schools operated in different
parts of the county. and to the progressive
spirit of the teachers Of these schools is due
much of the successful work of the public
schools. A small per cent. of the teachers
read educational journals or works on teach
ing, consequently many teach year after
year with much the same methods, not car
ing 10 rise higher in the profession or ad-
vance the bett interests OF the schools.
The county institute was held at Somerset
during the week commencing December ~
1851. Two hundred and twelve teachers
were in attendance. The late act granting
the time to all teachers who attend has had
salutary effect. Our instructors were DIR.
J. H. Shoemaker of Chambcrsburg, Dr. n
c. Schaeifer, of Kutztown, K. Bruce Hayes,
of Indiana, Pa, and Miss Clara Lange, Of
Belle Vernon. Evening lectures were de-
liyered by Or. Schaetier and Theodore Til
ton. The leading teachers of the county
took an actlye part in the work of the insti-
tlI;e, and all we're pleased with the weeks
work
The music of the institute was under the
control of Prof l. j. Heffley and W. II.
Ruppei. Esq. At the opening of each ses-
sion Mr.. Rupple instructed the teachers in
music, and songs from, Golden Carols were
sung A marked interest was taken by the
teachers in this exercise, and am pleased
10 note that no other part of the instruction
given during the week gave greater satisfac-
iion. and was carried back to the school
r,o,, -, ,nora than tho ,uu.ia In ,,,,uv Of tho
schools visited after institute the school en-
gagged in that pleasing laa delightful eEeg-
else of singing. Nothing does more to re-
iieve the monotony Of schO0l work than q
good song well sung, and il is urged wheF-
ever At sli practicable teachers will encour.
age the good work begun.
Only four districts of the county held dis
trict institutes, and Elklick and Greenyille
had local superintendents. To see the ad-
vantages of local supervision we need only
visit the schools of the districts employing
them.
During the year held fourteen public
examinations, examined three hundred and
twenty-six applicants, issuing thFee han
dred snd four provisional, and seven pro
fessional certificates. .yisited all the schools OF
the county once, and a number the second
time, In many districts was accompanied
by directors and frequently by patrons. In
conclusion, ] hereby tender my kindest
thanks to all who co-operated in my first
years work. J.C. WELLER,
County Superintendent.
Think of it Mems full stuck, half dou-
BILE sole stOga Shoes at rs cents pair; men =
fine buttonsa or lace shoes at sl.3,; ladies'
fine kid button or lace shoes at 80 cents a
pair; carpet slippers at 81 cents; infant :
button shoes at 81 cents; hos. sole leather at
q cants per pound, The largest, cheapest
and best selection of shoes in the county
inst repeivai at p.ul q, Nnvau'S cbean