Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-04-04

upon Inc educatlonai interests Will De sllSnt-
The school will undoubtedly continue in its
work of laying foundations upon which to build
good and thorough educations in high schools,
colleges ETC.. and in giving such as do not in
tend to go higher, education sufficient for
their various occupations in life.
ARENA.
Mr.. E. E. Darrow of the Arena
Graded School:
"our school cannot justly be called one Of the
leading schools OF the county In never was
large. aud it has, OF course. suffered by the
loss of trade to the village. There are two
teachers employed for from five to six months,
and one for the rest of the school year. The
higher classes win probably rank with the gram
mar grades of graded schools.
| The enrolment is about sixty. Attendance
and punctualty not of the best, but rather better
| than il has been.
! There is no regular course of study laid down
nor regular system OF graduation. There was q
change of text books voted at the last annual
meeting. The district board handle the books
and they are sold at lower rates than they would
be by regular dealer.
| Jul sSLLOOl AeoENStobAS oAA - ASP'
In very good repair. 1t needs new furniture,
but believe it is intended to supply new seats
| next year.
As to our work and prospects, they are not en-
! tirely satisfactory. There is not the interest
manifested which there should be, but think /
can see some signs of improvement.
In regard to the government Of the school, the
board are ready to sustain a teacher in anything
reasonable, and the psTents manifest no dispo-
siton 10 interfere with any regulations for secur-
ing order or promptness There is an element in
the school which is inclined to be FESTIVE under
restraint but with the cooperation of both
very little trouble.
do not know of any thing more that you
would be likely to want. and IL this is no use to
you 1t is easily disposed Of"
AVoCA.
The village Of Avoca has graded
school Of three or more departments,
but as nothing has been heard from
it, it is impossible to say anything
mere of its condition.
DODGEVILLE.
OF the public schools at Dodge
vile a gentleman who visited them
early in the year writes as follows !:
"If public interest is promotive OF the welfare
of school Dodgeville is peculiarly blessed, for
nowhere in the county is to be found greater
interest manifested in regard to public educa-
ton During a short visit to Dodgeville the
writer was most agreesbly surprised by the evis
dent progress the school sentiment had made
since the completion of the new school house,
visit to the school will convince any one that
the people are justified in their feelings OF pride
not only in regard to the building and its sur
roundings, but also as to the general conduct of
the schools.
The seven departments enroll about five hun
dred pupils of which number the non-residents
form no inconsiderable part.
Seven teachers in addition to the principal Mr..
Livingston are employed.
In every department one could see evidences
OF careful work on the part OF the teachers and
interest on the part of pupils Especially notice
able was one of the primary rooms III charge OF
Miss Carter
Not the least interesting and useful feature of
each room is the cabinet of labeled minerals,
etc, collected by the pupils.
The highest grade, in charge OF Mr.. Livingston
and Miss Sylvester, has been organized under
the Free High School law the course extending
over three years As an evidence Of the interest
manifested in this department, the writer will
say that although he spent more than day
there, he observed not even a single case Of
whispering.
MINERAL POINT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The total enrolment up to the present time
reaches 570 the attendance though necessarily
always below this, has been sufficient to utilize
the entire seating capacity in nearly every room.
Nine departments are provided, and eleven
teachers employed. OF the departments below
the high school corresponding divisions are
made in the two wards, which consequently re-
qulre the services of two teachers for those
grades belonging to the coordinate depart
ments. To each of these departments two grades
are assigned, though the plan cannot be rigidly
enforced in the lowest primary rooms on account
of the more irregular admission of new members,
nor in the grammar departments where provis-
ion of larger force justiiies greater number OF
grades About nine years of uninterrupted at.
tendance, it will be seen from this, IL assigned
for the preparation necessary for admission to
the high school. For small number this length
OF time is found suficient-for a very few even
less; but the majority owing to interruptions by
absence and other causes, require more than
this.
The importance OF intelligent, skllful, effective
work In the various grades belonging to this pc
Rod Is apparent when it is seen that only one in
ten OF the whole number ever get into higher
grade. There is no doubt that there is much to
be desired in these as in the higher departments
in the schools of this place as in most other
graded schools; yet there is cause for congratula.
ton In the fact that the teaching force in these
departments has been sufficiently large to enable
reasonable attention to be given to each lndivid-
ual pupil. and to maintain a fair degree of gen
ersl interest.
The provision by the school authorities of a
simple but ingenious system of supplementary
reading and language exercises has contributed
in most marked degree to the interest In those
subjects. and has given new life in some cases
where the monotony had become irksome
As a result of the new mode of heating and
ventilation adopted at the beginning OF the year
better health we'll as greater comfort has pre-
vailed and attendance has been consequently
more regular.
The number enrolled in the high school, in
Guiding those only who have satisfactorily passed
the examination prescribed by the State Super
intendent is forty five. The number admitted
during the year to date twelve.
The course OF study in the high school is de-
signed to extend through four years; and the
plan is productive of excellent results as regards
those who complete it, as time Is secured in the
last year for reviews of all previous studies
Whether the length of the course is beneficial or
injurious TO the school a whole, it is not with
present experience, easy to determine. 1t is pos
sible, yet by no means certain. that q few who
would remain long enough to complete a three
years course, deferred by the length Of time
that must elapse before reaching the end, under
the present arrangement withdraw at the end of
the first year.
system of government that has now been in
use for about year has been productive of re-
suits so satisfactory that it may justly be commu-
nicated to the public in this connection as the
most salient feature OF the high school. The
basis OF the plan consists OF the generally &C.
cepted proposition that selfcontrol is one OF the
most important objects sought in education;