The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-08-05

OF the uhy lalls ulTeCI'y ou tuo ueShS auu
books Of the pupils while at study. Many
children suffer from Inflammation Of the
eyes, and will finally contract permanent
weakness Of the eyes in this way. 1t would
be we'll il directors would see 10 it that all
the windows in our schools be so fixed that
they may be lowered, so ss TO secure the
necessary ventilation without draft, and
that all the buildings be provided with win
dow shades, TO protect the eyes Of the pupils
from the direct rays of the sun light.
APPARATUS.
All our schools ought to be provided. at
the very least, besides the black board, with
a set OF outline maps, globe, dictionary
and set of writing charts. Primary and
ungraded schools should also have hume
raj frame. In many of our schools these
are found, together with other apparatus
properly belonging to a we'll furnised school,
but in several districts the only apparatus
found is the black board, and in some cases
even this is so small as to be Of very little
service.
SCHOOLS.
The schools in our boroughs and in seve
raj rural districts are, for the most part, we'll
graded, and are under the direct supervision
OF the principal Of the high school, Most
of them are in competent hands and are do.
ing excellent work.
The pupils of many OF our high schools
leave school before they reach the age of 5
or 16, in consequence Of which, in many
cases, the number of pupils in the high
school is very small, whilst it often happens
that, at the same time, the lower grades are
over crowded. In several instances it has
been found necessary to transfer pupils from
the lower grades to the high school, without
regard to proficiency, simply to make room
in the schools below and to give the high
school fair number Of pupi s. This, al.
though in some cases necessary, always has
q demoralizing effect on the schools. II pu-
pi's for once discover that they can get into
the higher grades without regard to their
| fitness for promotion, great stimulus to
faithful study and regular attendance is TAX
en- away.
The number Of pupils in our high schools
should be kept up not by transferring pupil,
from the lower grades into the higher before
they are ready to be promoted, Except in
cases in which It cannot be avoided), but by
inducing the older pupils the high school
| irr fed, LOT IA a
ent the case and TO CONTINUE their studies at
limo when their minds are sufficiently
mature to study with advantage. TO ac-
cnmp!sh this end, the County Superntend-
ent called a meeting, in April, of all the
principals Of the high schools, and with
their resistance prepared a course Of studies
for the high schools Of the county, with a
view Of issuing diplomas to the pupils that
pass a satisfactory examination in the course
it is believed that this will be a sufficient
inducement for many Of the pupils of the
high schools to remain longer in attendance
and will tend TO raise the sta ndard and
character of these schools. A number 0
school boards have already adopted tas
course.
There is a general impression that good
teachers ought to be employed in the higher
erales but that young and inexperienced
teachers can be employed at low salaries lol
the primary schools. This is a great mis-
take. The work Of the primary schools re-
ouires tact of the very highest kind, a thor
ou n knowledge of Shil- nature and tn,
ws of mental growth IN its early stages, ,ant
vide experience. The best teachers ough
be employed in the highest and in th,
lowest grades, and these ought to receive th,
hi ;hest salaries. II inexperienced or infer
ior teachers must be employed, they shoulC
be put into the grades between the gramma
and primary schools, at lower salary thar
is paid the primary teachers, We suggest
ell this plan TO several school boards a yea
ago. 1t was adopted in several OF our Dor
oughs and the results are very satisfactory
The school board at Westherly, who tool
the lead in the matter, at present pay thei
primary teacher $ll per month more thai
I
grades. Some other boards purpose maxim
the change this coming year.
TEACHERS.
In the districts that pay fair salaries W
have good teachers. Our best schools are i
the hands of teachers of superior educatio
and culture. But in several districts salariC
are so low that it is impossible to sccur
good talent. Some of our best teachers hay
resigned their positions within the last yes
, 10 accept more remunerative situations.
INSTITUTES.
The County Institute was held at Mauc
Chunk in November and was very largel
attended A special day was set apart, f
the first time in this county, as Director
Day. Quite fair representation of our d
. rectors was present to listen to the "Dire
tors Address by the State Superintendent
The 6rst attempt was made this year all
To hold local institutes. The results hs'
been very gratifying. Our teachers, as we
as many OF the directors aud citizens, took
deep interest in them. The instruction
these meetings was mostly given by teaehe
of the county, and the enth usissm and ali
y itE which their work manifested rehec
Is credit on themselves and on the professio
y 1t is believed that much good is ocomplis
= ed by these meetings.
is PRIyATE SCHOOLS.
Of There are three private schools in Il
lie county, open only during the SUNNI
Of months, which have for their special al
=. the training Of teachers. One of these is /
t. Gated at WeisspOrt and is in charge Of N
Of ]. F. Snyder, the other at Centre Square al
Ie is in charge of Messrs. G. X. Musselmt
b and Tilghmsn NJ. Ballet, the third Is loci
y ed at Weatherly sad is in charge of Mr..
p P. Rowland. These schools have done e
m eellent work during the past year and th'
IN influence is peIceptibly felt in the oommu
nj tiles in which they are.
nj PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
is Our schools, as our government, are