The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-14
Educational Meeting at Bethel.

The Orange and Windsor counties teachers
associations in connection with the state su-
perintendent OF education, held an educational
meeting at the Congregational church. Thurs
day, Friday and Saturday of last week. The
first session was held Thursday evening when
Superintendent Dartt delivered very able
address upon Factors in Educational Work.
The first factor is Christian home. Church
and society are great aids, but next to the
home comes the common school; these all
meet upon level. The people must learn that
in school matters, spending is not always ex-
travagance and saving is not always economy.
He deplored the great haste made in finish
ing (?) the education. Vermont must not 60
behind other states in this work. In order to
secure better schools change of system is
needed this can be brought about by placing
the work in the hands Of the town as that will
secure equal taxation, now demanded by the
people. The address was thorough and able
exposition OF the wants OF the pupils and the
duties of the people. and a full report would be
given were there space in your columns.
Friday morning, after the devotional exer-
cses w. B. c. Stickney, Esq, of Bethel, ad-
dressed the association upon the subject, How
to. Speak the Truth. He would have teach
ers cultivate accuracy OF speech and thought,
and to this end cultivate observation, atten-
ton, perception and consideration. Principal
L. b. PeTmort of Hartford spoke upon Disci-
pine and School Management He would
make school discipline chiefly matter of imi-
tation. Principal Perry of South Woodstock
spoke of his method Of discipline in board
ing school. Principal w. II. Sanderson of
Woodstock took different stand and would
be kind yet firm. Various other speakers fol-
lowed, each Of which had method of his
own; some of these methods we're highly ap-
preclated by some OF the pupils present. FRI
day afternoon the session was opened by Miss
Carrie A. Curtis OF Bethel in a very interest
ing showing OF how the kindergarten can be
cd thn Aal linz tt,.sx
her subject by display Of the various articles
used in kindergarten work. Principal w H.
Sanderson spoke upon the various methods of
teaching reading. Superintendent L, H. Spauld-
| ing OF Bridgewater and Miss Mary L. Fulling-
| ton OF Woodstock suggested many good meth
| DDS OF teaching spelling. Thoroughness IL
very essential. After the afternoon session
| the proposition was made 10 reorganize the
| Orange and Windsor counties teachers associa.
lions and White River Valley association was
also proposed. Superintendent Dartt thought
| more people could be reached by having sep
crate associations for each OF the two counties
and joint meeting could be held once every
year. Professor w. +. Rocheeau Of Randolph
was somewhat discouraged as to uniting Or
| ange county in an association. Principal San
derson said good meetings cost time anC
strength and thought. committee OF thre
was appointed to report list of officers In TIT
morning. Friday evening, What can the Peop
Do for the Schools? was first discussed by Su
perintendent f. H. Martin of vii mstown VIII
| thought that the neglect of some parents to in
terest themselves in the education OF thei
children was almost crime. All have dut
to perform, and the parents should take speca
care to perform their whole duty in this mai
ter. Irregular attendance can be prevented
Parents must give the schools their support
the teachers and the pupils their sympathy
stream will not rise above its fountain &c
good teachers and then sustain them. TIL
| 10. Nft do mot mt until a nj
methods OF farming, and why should parent
be content with the old methods Of teaching
Mr. Thatcher Of Royalton continued the di
cussion The people cannot advance interest,"
5 in the school by meddling with the government
but can by visiting and by interesting then
selves in school matters. Rev r. G. Bugbe
superintendent of Bethel schools in continuin
the discussion of the question, would preac
to self as well as TO others. We do not take Il
: interest we should All are to blame Soho
u districts are the fussiest of corporations, RI
8 the smaller the corporation or school distrc
3 the more fuss The will and the wont Of Il
school district conscience is great obstac
: | when in the way; ignorance OF what Is insiC
j the schoolroom is great drawback ministe
: aud teachers, a species OF tramps who rs 500
as they fairly learn the needs OF their charg
are compelled TO 60. To perpetuate our fr
form Of government we must educate our CHI
J, dren and by education counteract the infuen
- OF the mass OF ignorance coming TO our shoI
yearly. The discussion was continued by v
n rious gentlemen who brought forward mai
@ good thoughts that were of interest to all pre-
h emit. Principal Edison OF Randolph said G
question was not a one-sided one Ieacht
J. should make the schoolroom place OF intert
n and introduce themselves TO the parents W
70 will be ready to meet them. Teachers are
blame, il the walls of the schoolroom are d
70 figured. 4 A. Markham OF Bethel was call
= up as one Of the people and WAS heartily in /
- cord with all that had been said upon the 81
ject He would keep the young from corfu
lion. The people are to blame, II there
=, trouble in the schoolroom. Superintende
a Dartt showed by statistics taken from the Ii
y census, the connection between the ilitera
10 Of the state and the irregularity Of attendan
e. OF those Of school age, and then spoke fol
few moments OF the interest now taken In cd
R. cationsl matters az compared with that OF I
g. years ago. He thinks education Is now
., question of the day. He here urged all
IN press forward.
N Saturday morning, after the devotional
no ercises Professor Rocheleau moved the adj
y, ton Of the following resolutions: