Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-06-24


ed kindly words of appreciation, or in
any way shown spirit of sympathy
and cooperation we are sincerely CRATE
full
We are attached to Lancaster by
many ties and the recent kindness
shown by the people in their approval
of the school, and especially the unani-
nous generosity of the students of
Room Z, will be long and particularly
remembered.
LANCASTER, June 10, 1886.
70 the Members Of The Board Of ERuca-
ton;
GENTLEMEN:-It seems TO me fitting
at the close OF my connection with the
Lancaster schools that | should revert
to my former practice by giving YER
bal report or review of the condition
and changes of the schools during the
last four years, during which time l
have had official connection with them
A school is necessarily one of the
most vulnerable of all institutions. No
school can get beyond the reach of
kindly suggestions for its improvement,
or unreasonable and malevoent criti-
cisms for its injury. | shall be content,
therefore, to speak of the general con-
dition and progress, and with con-
slant and reasonably rapid improve
ment in the various characteristics and
appliances that combine to make first
class school. As have not yet been
appraised of any respects in which there
has been retrogression, shall, doubt
less, be excusable if none are herein
mentioned. Let us first notice, not the
most important, but what may be de-
nominated the
MATERIAL IMPROVEMENTS.
During these years the building has
been newly shingled and painted out
side; better walks have been construct
ed. the grounds, from bare and for
bidding condition have been seeded,
leyeled, and beautiGed more or less each
year, until with the aid of the lawn
mower, vases, etc, the yard presents so
attractive an appearance that it would
scarcely be recognized as the former
grounds. Heating apparatus, storm
doors, and windows have completely
overcome the serious discomfort that
teachers and students suffered three or
four years ago and previously. Many
of the walls have been replastered and
whitewashed; the lower floors have
been renewed; and new seats have been
placed in both High School rooms, and
new recitation seats in the other rooms.
These have greatly added to the con-
yenience in ordinary school work,
besides increasing considerably the
capacity of the Chapel hall.
APPLIANCES
The poorer blackboards have been
backed with Il layer of bricks, and all
have been renewed, 50 that there is now
n good surface in all the rooms In
proved crayons and erasers have been
introduced and are now in supply.
Pointers and blackboard rulers have
also been provided far more than they
were enjoyed before. -Four years ago
the apparatus was almost comprised in
q tellurian globe and few pieces OF
electrical apparatus. Now there is
seryieeablc set for the illustration of
properties OF matter, simple machines,
pneumaties, acoustics, light, heat, and
chemistry. worth at least $50; besides
a few pieces constructed in connection
with class work. Private donations
and the Philomathean Literary Society
have added u few books to the library,
and it is in better condition now than
it was four years ago. Largely through
the work of the School Exposition. the
long-desired piano was obtained and
adds decidedly to the interest aud etlici-
ency of the school. Through the Liter
airy Society aud Exposition. and by
other efforts of teachers and students.
six paintings, four engravings, some
smaller pictures, chart of pathology,
and number Of attractive and whole
some notices have been placed on the
walls. There was scarcely anything of
this kind four years ago. In this con
nection might be mentioned newly
covered and vanished teachers desk,
and carpeted rostrum in Room T.
BOOKS.
A careful examination will show that
there has been great superiority in
the textbooks used by the Lancaster
schools OF late years.
RECORDS.
would respectfully call your atten-
ton to the improvement in keeping
records, especially the grade books.
know from an unpleasant experience
that most of them were formerly kept
without system, and were of little or nc
benefit to any but those who kept them
OF late years the work of every class
and pupil has been carefully recorded,
and it win be easy at the beginning Of
next year for each teacher to see just
where the students belong. The mum,
Der OF grades has been reduced from
about seventeen to twelve, and they are
now evenly classified. This has taken
the place OF a condition which would
best be described as chaotic. Besides
.his, monthly statistical reports have
been regularly made, and reports OF
each pupil at the close of each term
Nothing of this was done four years
ago. l need not discuss the advantages
of such records. Rules and regulations,
and new course of study have been
prepared and printed. The former
course had passed into state of .'in