Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-12-08


school journal tor December
Intelligent supervision is essential in
any organized system of schools, If good
work is to be assured. This truth, self
evident 10 such as have been careful
observers of tho results Of graded school
training, has again been verified in the
marked advance in the entire school work
of the city of lancaster during the past
three years,
The field here had long been waiting
for the man. Experiments at supervision,
tried years before the state law which pro-
videS for the election Of city superinteEd-
onts WAS enacted, had failed aud the
result was that such prejudice had been
created against the office as to delay action
under this law until Lancaster and Phila-
delphia stood alone Of all the leading
cities Cfthc state, without adequate super
vision.
The sentiment OF the school board Was
Nobody, II not first class man.' Al
last such an official was found IN Supt. r
X. BuChrie. During his three years of scr.
wee in this important position no has
administered tho Office ia such
manner as to secure and main
tain the confidence and cooperation
of all, both teachers aud directors, who are
most deeply interested in the welfare of
the schools. The writer has been connected
with the schools of Lancaster fox upward
of 30 years, and has all tho while known
more or less accurately tie esprit de corps
Of the teachers and the general character
OF the results attained and he has no
hesitation in saying that never before have
these schools had an efficient head and
tina. now, tor the first time in their history,
they arc being organized into an effective
working unit.
Superintendent BuchrlO has aroused an
interest never mLulicBted before in the
various departments OF our school work.
\ carefully graded course Of study has
been adopted for al, tho primary and
| grammar school grades tho course of
! study in the high schools has 0een broad
ened by the Introduction OF German and
natural science into the girls department,
aud additional branches into thaJ OF the
boys Supplementary reading matter has
been largely introduced. Increased at
tentlOn to Eaglish literature has been en-
COuragCd through observance Of birthdays
of distinguished authors, and through
regular exercises in tho committing TO
memory Of brief poems and cAOioo scrip
tural and other extracts in prose and
poetry. The average Of general intelli.
ECrCo has been improved by the monthly
diary event." which has led to the pur.
chase, By the schools themselves of some
forty cycl0ped.as OF various kinds for con-
stant reference, thus familiari2ing the
pupils with tho Teadyuse Of these import
tant aids OF education.
Glasses ot persons proposing 70 become
teachers hGyo been organized stated
| meetings Of teachers arc held for instruc
ton in matter and direction ia methods
teachers classes in the study Of English
| literature, Latin, German, physiology and
geometry, haYo been organized f0v regu
| lar work during the session mem bers OF
| the faculty Of Franklin and Marshall
! college have been engaged to lecture be-
! ioro the high schools competitive
examination has been introduced for
! promotion O! tcachers when y!can.
ctes occur the nucleus Of fine
| tea2Ler5' library has been formed ia the
| gODjly number Of books already on the
shelves, TO which the school board has re-
! Gently added the American cyClOpedia
! the school attendance also, both aggregate
aud average has been increased By per-
cottages that arc voTy encouraging the
schools have at tho Same time steadily
risen IN popular estim ItIon, not less from
the fact OF their batter professional direc-
| ton than because Of the improved school
| buildings erected by tAa pubic spirited
board during the past few years-sevon Of
which have been built or rcmodeled since
the election OF Sup. Ruehrlc, some of these
! from plans furnished by hlmself, he having
given the subject Of school buildings much
study, and being very competent aTchi-
tecs in this speciality.
The best man for this kind Of work, cost
what It may to securo or retain him, ia tho
only man 20 be considered and Lancas.
ter is fortunate in having at the direction
OF her school board one of tho most dill
gent, faithful and compton. school Off
GERS IN Pennsylvania.