Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-06-09

"Parencs'' Idea or what ShouId be
Taught Z N Dur Public schools.
ED. SENTINEL: l notice in your abstract
OF the recent census taken by Marshal
Sanders for the Eureka School District,
That the number Of school children has
fallen off from last year nearly 22O. /
learned also. in q conversation with Mr..
Douthet our County Superintendent. that
the School Fund is exhausted; that the
teachers, in fact, will have to take scrip
for their last two months services during
the term that ends the last Friday Of the
present month. It Is evident that there
must be economy and q trimming OF sails
somewhere in the School Department. 1
am . taxpayer and have children attend
ing the public school, but my business il
such that l have hardly any leisure to visit
them. l talk with them . good deal even
ings though, when they are at home pre-
pairing their lessons, and they tell me
about the studies that are pursued in their
classes. From conversations with them l
find that the Principal, Mr.. Croweii, has {
small class handsomely advanced in mathe-
mates, Of whom there are only one or two
left. Maybe there il no one left in the
class now, but while he taught them q
great deal OF his time had TO be given up 10
them owing to the abstruce nature Of the
study. Now, l like this. 1t shows the
proper zeal on the part Of pupils and q
laudable ambition on the part Of Mr.. Crow
ell. But do you not think, sir, that the ends
Of our public school institution would be
better subserved il the higher branches
we're left in the background until the ap-
proach to them should be easier, while
the lower classes in the grammar, inter.
mediate and primary departments should
have more time devoted to them than has
been the rule? Judging by our children's
advancement, I think, though they are not
doing badly. that il the teachers were not
crowded and could devote more care and
attention to them in closer grading, they
would understand their work better and
be more thorough In mastering the prin-
ciples, the elements, which l find they
sometimes slur over and get only . confused
idea Of. Do you not think, after girls and
boys have got, ct the public expense, q
fair knowledge Of the elementary books,
on which they may afterwards build up .
good education for themselves, il they are
Of the right spirit, that their parents
ought to take the burden Of their further
Advancement upon themselves2 Ii there
is plenty room for them, and plenty
OF school money in the Treasury
to employ q full corps Of teach
ers, so that the primary children
may have the full benefit Of the advantages
intended for them, there is no occasion
for comment, but I do NOT think that is
the case in Eureka. Generally we want
more t~horoughness in the elements, and
to get this teachers must have full time to
devote TO those who, it seems to me, are
the first to be considered as beneiciaries
in the free school. Large girls and boys
in high studies anyway can get only q
smattering in our schools, l am afraid,
while the time taken from them is q very
serious loss to less advanced pupils, who
need it more.
/ am not q fault-inder, but our schools
are our pride and our hope, and I think
no one will be offended at my remarks,
which are altogether general. What are
your ideas, sir, on the proper scope Of
common school education PARENT.