The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-07-04
''Ggr Schools

| have no knowledge Of the author
Of this communication, and know
not the motive of the writer, any
further .han appears upon the face Of
the article.
Jonathan West" evidently knows
very little Of what has been done in
past years in the schools of Superior,
or of the work which is now actually
done there, and little pains taken by
him to gain true information, would
probably lead to material modifica-
zion Of many of his opinions.
There are many things in theory
which seem good, but in practical APP
plication, under certain conditions, ut
terly fail to accomplish good results.
Some things highly approved in
many places. have been tried in Supe-
nor in former days, and found not to
be applicable to our situation. Be
fore our schools can be concentrated
much more than they are now, there
must be some cheap and reliable mode
of conveyance from the extremes Of
the town to a central point, or pune
tual attendance at school during much
of the school year will be impossible.
The schools in Superior are not in
many respects what are desired and
needed, and no persons feel more
earnest desire to have them improved,
than those who are now engaged III
sustaining them, and trying to make
them as efficient for good as they can.
Notwithstanding our formerly isola-
ted condition, and unfavorable sur
roundings, which all living here have
felt the effects Of, the schools Of Su-
perior can show record of scholars
trained in them, Of which they need
not feel ashamed. Scholars going from
the schools in Superior to attend Nor
nal schools, Academies, Commercial
colleges, Universities &c, have, almost
invariably taken high rank in the in
stitutions they have attended, and
some Of them have taken positions
Of marked distinction.
When reports come back with cx-
pressions like the following quotations,
One of the best reports we have
eyer sent out from our institution. .
If you have any more such scholars
send them along, it is the kind Of ma
terial we need" "These students
show a correctness of early training, :"
and Others of similar import, it is, to
say the least not discouraging for the
work done here; and especially when
in none Of these eases had the aim
been to eft" students for these insti-
tutions, but always to build up the
best general scholarship, and train as
veil a possible fol the actual business
ana duties of life which we believe
should be the aim in all our schools.
Scholars coming into the schools of
Superior from other parts of the coun-
try, as a rule, haye not been able to
take any position in advance Of our
classes Of the same ages, but have fre-
quently fallen far behind, when their
general scholarship was put to the test.
An unyielding grade in the man
agement of the schools of Superior has
not been adopted, but rather diyid-
ing and classifying, which our situa-
ton seemed to require, and which bet
ter meets the demands of the present
time
In many Of our Western Universe
ties, Il strict curriculum is not sustain
cd, because not suited to the needs of
those who seek the advantages of such
institutions. Special classes are allow
cd and organized from time to time.
Is called for.
To the question, GLOW many bright
boys and girls of our town between
fifteen and twenty years old were idle,
or worse than idle, last winter because
there is no such high school course
here?' | will answer, 50 far as district
No. Two is concerned NOT ONE. 4
numerous class between these ages
was in attendance IN school during the
winter, and provision made for atten-
tion TO all the branches Of study which
they desired, including nearly all high
er branches.
As to district No. One, if there are
any who have not enjoyed the advant-
ages they desired, it was their own
fault, for school officers and teachers
have not only been willing, but anxi-
Gus 10 provide Tor the wants of all. \
teacher Of well known ability and ex-
perience has been in charge Of the
higher department, and aided by com
potent assistants, ready at all times to
d all required 10 answer any reason
abe demands Of such persons.
Repeated instances have come I'M
der my observation, where young per
sons have absenteI themselves from
eur schools, giving as an excuse, the
schools did not offer good advantages.
when the real cause was, they were
> far behind scholars Of their own are
il attendance, that they we're unwill-
ing TO enter and take their true posi-
tons, and | know much of the fault