Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-06-30

portance-merely bill of expense. We
think differently. Experience as teacher
and as an examiner OF schools convinces us
that, one of the best means of advancing the
schools is by purchasing apparatus. Every
school room should be furnished with pri-
mary and elocutionary charts, an unabridg-
ed dictionary, large Bible and outline maps,
and no teacher should be employed who will
not agree to use them.
Fourteen public examinations were held
each year. l adopted a combination of the
oral and written methods, believing this to
be the means of economizing time and more
accurately determining the qualifications of
the teachers. The directors generally met
in official capacity, to judge the fitness of
the applicants, and select their teachers for
the coming term. A large number of the
citizens attend many of the examinations,
an evidence, that the people in general are
! interested in their schools and the cause of
ed ucatiOn. We had very interesting and
profitable county institute, and some of the
good seed sown speedily germinated in the
school-room, as We bad occasion to note.
| -Four local institutes were held during the
year, and all were well attended and quite 4
degree of interest manifested. All the
schools were visited twice except one in
Permanagh. These visits were made with a
view to ascertain the plans and methods
pursued by the teacher, to suggest changes
where needed, to learn obstacles in the way
of progress, to suggest remedies, and give
advice and encouragement TO pupils and
teacher. Permit me to say, in this conpsc-
ton, that very few of our schools are regu-
larly visited by the parents and officers,
therefore, let me say to all our people, come
let us smile in this great work, and whenev'
possible encourage our teachers by friend
/ ly visit to the school room. The old com
plaints-want of punctuslity and irregulari
| ty of attendance-still exert a baneful intlu
eDce in the schools. Perhaps as the law n ON
is, there can be no cure for these evils; yet
nevertheless, they are a decided injury tc
both teacher and scholars. When will par
ents and guardians learn not towrong them
selves by wronging their hildren in depriv
ing them of them of the full benefit of th'
entire school term. At the risk Of being lie
nounced for reiterating common places, We
once more inveigh against the serious poll
cy of low salaries and cheap teachers. Thi
folly crigples US more than We care to tell
1t has driven many OF our best teachers ava.
never 10 return and their places are take
by inexperienced an in some instances in
competent persons. This Is very near aki
to throwing money away, and should be rom
edied at any reasonable cost.
In conclusion, we desire to thank the de
partnent for the continued courtesy an
kindness which we received, and pray tha
in the future, as in the past, it may con
stantly maintain its excellent record. Th
directors, teachers, patrons aud press hay
maintained in cordial relations with the Su
perintendent, aiding him with their pr-senc
sympathy and advice wherever aud whcney
er practicable, for which they have our hear
ty thanks. We invoke the blessing OF Hesy
en- upon them all. as also upon our incOm
parable system OF education, to which th
greatness OF our grand old Commonweait
Is largely due.
VI. Z. AUH,S,
Sup't. Of JGniata count.