The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-09-10

last week of November, 1885. UnfOrtu-
nately for our teachers the first severe snow
storm of the season prevailed during the en-
tire week, and the attendance was not up
to former wears Our live, progressive /
teachers fully realize the importance Of the
Annual Institute The attendance has
been gradually increasing and we are iD q
position to know that the county Institute
has done much to improve the character Of
the work Of our schools. Local institutes
and educational meetings may more directly
aid inexperienced teachers, yet our annual
county institute is Instrumental in quicken
ing the zeal of teachers, enlarging our views
of educational subjects, and progressive
teachers feel the importance, more and
more every year of receiving instruction
from our leading educators
The teachers last year voted unanimous
( ly to have the institute for $50 held before /
4 the general opening of the schools. This \
/ request was in accord with my own opinion /
1 and the institute for the present school |
/ year will be held in October. In 1888 and 1
1884. our Institutes were held in October !
and they were the largest meetings ever
held in the county.
During the year a number of local insti-
. tutes were held In various districts through
out the county. These meetings of teach
ers directors and citizens resulted in
great good to the schools. In several dis
tricts teachers reading circles were in sue
cesssul operation. This movement Is grow
ing throughout the State and the teachers
Of Cambria county must not neglect their
local organizations for mutual improve
, ment.
Arbor day exercises have not been
: oeperalIv observed in this county. A mum
her of trees have been planted in borough
school properties. Until school lots are
fenced and properly cared for but little
( attention will be paid to the planting OF
: trees.
Pvsiology, the new branch Of. study was
: introduced in all parts OF the county, IL
= was very imperfectly taught. however IN
many schools; teachers must now undergo
y an examination in this branch and we eX-
meet to see the subject more thoroughly
tanCht and result more satisfactorily.
, Ouring the past year I made two hun
~ dred and seventy-uine visits to schools
d travelled thirty-eight hundred miles in dis
/. charge of official uties wrote three
a hundred and eightv-four official letters "a
le teachers and directors mailed eight hun
dred aud sixty circulars and blanks to teach
l. ers and school oficers; distributed three
ir hundred and forty copies Of annual report:
rs and school laws: received, copied and for
al warded to the school department ninety two
to district reports held thirty-twO public ex-
e. anfnations. and examined two hundred and
D. sevpntv.fOur applicants attended fftaeI
MS local institutes and educational meetings.
lg toint institute of Indiana, Clearfeld ant
rs Car bria counties. and two county institute
al of neighboring counties. My official expen
ses from June 1, 1885. to June. 1886. TO
st travelling during examinations and schoC
re vista tions were s226 70 for printing blanks
rs, school laws and reports, Ssl y. maxine
It total of s3O7 81. This information is NJ
De- given IN boasting manner, but to demon
ng strate to the people of the county that q
20, office is no sinecuve.
nd The space allowed by the school depar
in meut for the reports of county superinten'
nd ents in the volume Of the annua' renort
rs' limited, and cOmpeIs Us 70 omit many p0ir
are of interest to friends of education. In CO.
cIueion I wish to express my gratitude
.l directors and teachers for their hearty su
20 port of every measure intended to bene
ore our schools; to the press for courtesy ar
,ob fayors extended; TO the school departme
-, for ready counsel and to a generous pub
frl for valued friendship and hospitality. I
inc member with pleasure the kindly erhPtin
of thousands of The boys and 2iTs Of C
or- schools. and trust that the influence Of t
home aud the school NAV cultivate a.,
- minds and properly prepare them fer futI
n, usefulness and the great battle OF life.
w" Respectfully submitted.
neI l. STRAYER, Co. Supt