Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-03-15

DtlOlt lllt DTODtT SCllOOl UlllCclS lol lC-
dress. 1t is matter of regret that, in
few instances, personal animosty and
ambition have been carried into school
matters to the great detriment of the
school. Let it be remembered that what
ever Injuries the school is a loss and harm
to every child it 1t, and that for the sake
of our children we cannot afford to do
this in order to crafty little personal
spite towards neighbor.
The work in some schools is greatly
hindered by the irregular attendance of a
few scholars, and these make but little
advance in their studies for the same
reason. fear that parents are more to
blame than the children for this. They
are kept out of school to run an errand,
or to tend the baby, or to pick berries,
or for some other trivial excuse. Now
the loss to the child Is far too great to
be balanced by the slight gain of the SER
vice rendered. | would urge parents to
look after this matter. and would urge
school officers to see that the truant laws
are more fully enforced. You are again
reminded that great care should be eXer-
siesd in the selection of teachers. Don't
employ teacher because of some per-
sonal interest you have in her. 1t is
your duty to consider the interests of the
school and not to provide for your friends
and relatives. Not merely intellectual
attainments, but love for children, apti-
tude to teach, an appreciation of the i'm
portance of the work and an enthusiasm
in it are necessary in order to secure the
best results; and if to these there be add
ed successful experience we may hope
for a profitable school. And when a
teacher has been secured who proves her.
self to be adapted to the wants of Il par
ticular school, let her be continued in
service, because there is always loss of
time and an interruption of progress
caused by a change of teachers. | think
the wages paid in some districts are man
ifestly too small to secure and retain
good teachers, and it is poor economy to
to attempt to save money by running a
school in that way. If we want good
service we must pay for it. And good
service is by far the cheapest in the end.
CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS.
The Graded school still maintains the
high standard it has held for many years.
| think this result is largely due to the
efficient labors of Principal c. ID. Mead
and the able teachers who have been as
sociated with him. Mr.. Mead closed his
connection with the school last June,
after long period of faithful service
He was highly esteemed by his associate
teachers and by the pupils who have en-
oyed his instruction, and will be held in
grateful remembrance by many who have
received from him the impulse to pursue
a higher course of study to prepare them
selves for positions of honor and useful
ness in life. He is succeeded by Mr.. j..
| b. Wheeler, gentleman of high culture
/ and good reputation as teacher. With
him are associated Miss May Bolton, a
, graduate of Middlebury college, as pre-
ceptress, and Miss Susan f. Archibald as
assistant. Under their instruction the
high school is in flourishing condition.
The other departments of the school, I'M
der the management of experienced teach
. ers, maintain their former reputation for
thorough and satisfactory work. 1t is
, doubtful whether more efficient body
of teachers could be found in any school
than we have in the Mddlebury Graded
school. Good work, also, has been done
in all the districts during the year.
think all the teachers employed have
tried to do faithful service, and with a
few exceptions the result has been salts
! factory. In Nos. |, 2, 3 and l3 the same
, teachers have been continued throughout
, the year. In every case this has been of
manifest advantage to the school.
would recommend to the committees in
a all lle ulslTlCls 10 continue UeNU term
, the same teachers who have been EN-
ployed this winter, if it can be done, for
a change of committee in June is likely
to be followed by change of teachers in
the fall.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
D The Seeley district shows a commend.
4 able pride in keeping its school house in
! good condition. In addition to painting
= tha v tarinr and intarinr rappptlv IL ha
this year papered The walls of the schoo
| room, so that it now presents very neal
= appearance. In East Middlebury some
0 needed improvements have been made
h The interior was whitened and some
r changes and repairs made in the out
2 buildings. The exterior of the house OF
n Munger street has been painted-the in
i terror should receive immediate atten
: ton. Several other houses should b,
: painted soon. | need not indicate whicl
+ ones they are, as they speak for them
h selves. 1t is more economical to attenC
l. to this before the paint washes off anC
they come to be in Il shabby condition
n The school house in district No. s il
Y hardly a credit to the thrifty farmers o
J. that neighborhood, although it is still
It quite comfortable. l think they them
l. selves will see the necessity for a new
l. house at no very distant day. Some o
Il the school rooms ought to be supplied
h with better blackboards Immediately anC
e all should be thoroughly cleaned at leas
: once year.
J. AS the changes made by the new law ar,
i very important it may be well for me t.
i call your attention to some of them. Tn,
i numbers refer to the sections. The pres
n ent school year is continued until Jun,
:. 80, and all the present school officers arr
r continued in Office until that time (2sI
d and 2S7). The annual school meeting
o will be held on the last Tuesday in June
= and clerks should bear in mind that tn,
g warning for this meeting must be poste,
e in two public places instead of one, a
y formerly $50 and 90). The State super
V intendent of education recommends tha
e a special meeting be called to provide
r, the means for the maintenance of tn
II spring term of school. | would suggest
It however, whether it would not be NOR
e satisfactory to borrow such sum as ma,
"A he necessary for that puTnOso rather thal