Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-08-05
County Super1nte ten dents Re.
port Of Junfata County.

/ have the honor to submit the following
report OF the schools OF this county for the
year ending June LIST, 1886
1t would give me pleasure to be able to
say that We have been successful in every
parIic ular but this cannot do but | can
say that in many respects very commenda-
bic and gratifying progress has been made.
Therefore, in a general way, we may claim
that we are advancing that our people are
interested in building up and maintain
ing the schools; that they are selecting bet
ter sites, and building better houses; that
We are more careful in selecting books; that
the course of instruction is more thorough
and practical, and that our teachers are bet
ter prepared to do their work.
HOUSES AND FURNITURE.
Two new houses were built during the
year, one in FERN anagh and one in Tusca-
rora. The one in Fermanagh is a substan-
tial frame building, nicely finished, and fur
mis- he'd with the Perforated desks. The one
in Tuscarora is a fine brick building, furn-
ished with same kind of desks. Both these
houses are among the best buildings in the
county, and reflect great credit upon the
contractors and those experimenting their
erection. The most improved desks were
put in the two rooms of Thompsontown, and
Red Bank in Fayette. l observed that in
houses well furnished and conveniently ar
ranged, the faces of pupils wore contented
expression, as though schools were pisces
of pleasure not of torment, as in former
days. We have the promise of "a four new
houses this year,-one in Turbetb Lack,
Susquehanna and Monroe. One brick and
three frames. One in Spruce Hill aud one
in Fayette will be furnished with new patent
desks this year.
APPARATUS.
am sorry to say that our schools are
poorly supplied with apparatus. Iu many
there are no charts, no numeral frames, no
blocks, no geographical apparatus, and in
only few dictionaries. Houses should be
well supplied with all necessary apparatus;
then only such teachers employed as are
able and willing to make proper use of it,
TEACHERS.
The whole number of teachers during the
past year was one hundred and seven (l07)
Our teachers will compare favorably with
the teachers of our sister counties. Nearly
all seem interested in school work, having
Of the pupils. Their proper pride was dis
played by the school room decoration, by
clean walls and floors, and the tidy appear
ance of their rooms in every particular. True
we had some failures. Many of our teach
ers quit the prof fession every year, and seek
other employment. Just as soon as the peo-
ple take a correct view of schools and edu-
cation, they will appreciate the la bors of a
true te acher, and will renumerate him prop
erly. good teacher is cheap at any price.
During the last term twenty six (26) be-
ginners we're employed. They had no ex-
eerience, but their enthusiasm made up for
their lack of experience.
ARBoR DAY.
The day was not favorable for the plant
of trees, because the frost in many places
was not out of the gr ound, and copious
rain had fallen the day before. A few trees
were planted in the county. We hope the
10th of A pril in the future will be carfully
observed for that purpose.
vIsTTATIoNs.
Except one in Beale, all in the county
were visited twice. a few third time. Dur
ing my first, observed carefully the meth
DDS of teaching, the habits of teachers and
pupils, classification, gronc, recitations, &c
Att my second visit examined classes ac-
cording to progress made during my absence
l gave notice Of my visitation, in orier that